The Global Entrepreneurship Network has announced the finalists for the 2025 GEN Compass Awards, a celebration recognizing outstanding achievements in entrepreneurship, policymaking, investment, research, and entrepreneur support programs. The awards honor those making a difference in helping entrepreneurs start and scale around the world.
Nominees will be celebrated and winners will be revealed during the Compass Awards Ceremony, taking place at the 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Indianapolis, USA — a gathering of founders, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders from 200 countries.
The Ecosystem Catalyst Award recognizes an organization with outstanding commitment and achievement to drive their local ecosystem's positive, long-term and inclusive growth through programs and education to advance innovation and support startups.
The nominees are...
African Bank
For its consistent commitment to empowering startups across Africa by investing in an ecosystem that creates growth pathways, expands market access, and helps founders shine on the global stage through support of events like GEC+Africa.
FedEx
For its collaboration with GEN to help people from all geographies, economies, backgrounds and ability levels explore the transformative power of entrepreneurship through local events and Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Habitat Turkiye
For advancing Turkiye's entrepreneurship ecosystem under the GEN brand through programs and events that support and connect more than 35,000 founders, investors, policymakers, and support organizations every year.
GEN New Zealand
For their globally recognized models of national ecosystem engagement, including the GEN New Zealand Unconference and workshops, annual assessments, national awards and a powerful reputation for listening and inclusion.
NC IDEA Foundation
For driving inclusive growth in North Carolina’s startup ecosystem—supporting more than six hundred companies and creating 5,000 jobs through $24 million in grants and thousands of hours of hands-on support since 2005.