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About
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Global
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About GEN
Operating in 200 countries to make it easier for anyone to start and scale.
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Board + Staff
Leading the strategic direction and daily execution of the GEN mission.
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Our Partners
A range of organizations contributing expertise, experience and energy.
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About GEN
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National Leadership
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Managing Directors
Individuals leading GEN chapters and all aspects of national engagement.
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Global Leaders
Individuals contributing to national engagement in GEN programs.
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Managing Directors
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Compass Awards
Celebrating excellence and honoring those making a difference.
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Contact GEN
Reach out to our team with any questions.
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Global
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Our Work
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Our Pillars
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GEN Ecosystems
Stronger and more globally-connected entrepreneurial ecosystems.
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GEN Founders
Empowering innovators from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential.
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GEN Invest
The right capital in the right hands – at the right time.
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GEN Policy
Evidence-based ideas for smart policy design to help entrepreneurs thrive.
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GEN Ecosystems
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Our Work
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GEN Programs
View a list of all our programs.
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GEN Events
Flagship events + ongoing event series driving connectivity.
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GEN Programs
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Our Impact
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Impact Reports
In-depth look at GEN’s impact each year since it began in 2008.
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Impact Stories
Examples of GEN’s impact on individuals and ecosystems around the world.
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Impact Reports
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Our Pillars
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Resources
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GEN Connect
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Ecosystem Connect
Connect with ecosystem builders + community leaders worldwide.
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Founder Connect
Connect with founders building the next generation of startups.
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Investor Connect
Connect with angels, VCs + other investors aligned to your stage + goals.
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Mentor Connect
Connect with experienced mentors across our global network.
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Ecosystem Connect
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Policy + Research
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GEN Atlas
Collection of public sector policies + programs to drive economic growth.
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GEN Research Library
Collection of the latest research strategies, reports, data sets + more.
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GEN Atlas
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More Helpful Tools
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Events Calendar
Find events advancing entrepreneurship near you + around the world.
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GEN Speakers Bureau
Commission-free directory of speakers for your next entrepreneurship event.
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GEN Community Directory
Searchable directory of GEN members representing 200 countries.
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Builders Studio
An AI-powered platform that guides entrepreneurs from idea to launch.
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No Bad Ideas
Card game designed to help turn your ideas into great ones – no mistakes.
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Events Calendar
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GEN Connect
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Events
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Overview
Brief summary of all GEN events + gatherings
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Global Entrepreneurship Congress
Global gathering of delegates shaping the future of entrepreneurship.
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GEC+
Regional or sector-specific deep-dives built off the GEC model.
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Global Entrepreneurship Week
Join the movement of 40,000 events around the world each November.
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GEN Exchange
Virtual webinars for GEN community members to explore timely issues.
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GEN Meetup
Open-source model to hold your own ecosystem event.
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Startup Huddle
Chapters crowd-sourcing advice + support, one entrepreneur at a time.
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Startup Nations Summit
Gathering of policymakers on regulatory issues + innovative programs.
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GET Forum
A global forum connecting Latin America and the Caribbean's ecosystem leaders.
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CoCreate
One of the world's leading sourcing events for e-commerce sellers looking to scale.
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Events Calendar
Find an entrepreneurship event near you.
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Overview
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News
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Global Newsfeed
All of the unfiltered news + updates from the GEN community.
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The Startup State
Major entrepreneurship announcements, reports, commentary + features.
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Press + Media Kit
Official GEN assets and information for journalists, partners, and storytellers.
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Subscribe
Sign-up to receive important updates, event invitations + more.
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Global Newsfeed
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GEN Compass Awards
The GEN Compass Awards celebrate excellence in entrepreneurship, policymaking, investing, support programs and research – and honor those who are making a difference in helping entrepreneurs start and scale around the world.
Winners of the Compass Awards are announced at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.
Applicants must be a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Network and actively engaged in GEN programming.
- Nominations Close: Nominations are currently closed
- Announcement of Finalists: To be announced
- Announcement of Winners: To be announced
Awarded to the highest-performing Global Entrepreneurship Network national affiliate in terms of national ecosystems.*
This award is given to the highest-performing or highest-potential founder in the GEN Starters Club, a community of entrepreneurs battle-tested by GEN programs.
Awarded to exceptional organizations that have demonstrated dedication and success in connecting, inspiring and empowering startup founders through impactful Global Entrepreneurship Network programming.
Awarded to the GEN Invest or GBAN member who has contributed most to advancing the interests of investors and the new firms they support.
Awarded to organizations and leaders who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to expanding access to capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Awarded to the policymaker or advocate who has made significant contributions to remove barriers to entrepreneurship through new policies, programs or regulatory changes at local, national or global levels.
Awarded to a GEN Policy community member who has made the most significant contributions to removing barriers to entrepreneurship through advocacy or implementation of new policies and regulations.
Awarded to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment and achievement to drive the positive, long-term and inclusive growth of their local ecosystem through programs and education to advance innovation and support startups.
Awarded to an organization that has contributed most to driving positive, long-term and inclusive growth of their local ecosystem through front-line programs and educational efforts to advance innovation and support startups.
Awarded to a GEN Research community member that has produced actionable research resulting in better-informed policies or programs advancing entrepreneurship.
Awarded to organizations that, through collaboration, have provided actionable research leading to better-informed policies, improved entrepreneurship programs, or ecosystem development.
Awarded to the organization that ran the best national Global Entrepreneurship Week Campaign in 2024 based on overall reach, diversity, creativity, visibility and impact.
The Global Entrepreneurship Week Champion Catalyzer award recognizes host organizations that generate a significant number of events, partners and participants through their national Global Entrepreneurship Week campaigns.
Awarded to an individual or organization with outstanding commitment and achievement in creating pathways to entrepreneurship that empower non-traditional audiences and under-represented communities.
Awarded to an individual or organization new to the Global Entrepreneurship Network for their contributions to advancing entrepreneurship through a GEN program.
Awarded to the individual, organization or community that has had the largest impact reaching across national borders and connecting stakeholders to help entrepreneurs start and scale.*
*Candidates for the following awards are nominated by GEN HQ staff - outside nominations will not be considered: Global Entrepreneurship Week Catalyzer, One Global Ecosystem Award and GEN Country.
Read the 2025 Compass Awards Announcement
Awarded to the national Entrepreneurship World Cup organizer that ran the best overall campaign in 2022, demonstrating ability to build ecosystem partnerships and attract strong applicants.
Awarded to the government that makes the most effort to make it easy and attractive for entrepreneurs to register their businesses and comply with laws and regulations.
Awarded to the organization that best embodies and reflects the GEN brand in a positive visual way–implementing impactful initiatives within the "compass family".
Awarded to an organization or individual that performed admirably in the face of adversity and adapted to overcome considerable challenges.
Awarded to Global Entrepreneurship Week host organizations that generate substantial activity--engaging a broad cross-section of the population during their national campaigns.*
Awarded to the Global Entrepreneurship Week Host that best demonstrates the ability to scale their national campaigns by catalyzing organizations and increasing impact.*