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 Champion Award recognizes an individual 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 in this category are...
Ryan Johnson, Manager of the Business and IP Centre Oxfordshire and local organizer for Startup Huddle Oxford
For breaking silos and building a thriving, inclusive local startup community. Under his leadership, Startup Huddle Oxford has become a regular meet up where hundreds of entrepreneurs of all ages and stages connect, learn and support their local startups.
Cardelle Ferguson, General Manager of Barbados Youth Business Trust and local organizer for Startup Huddle Barbados
For her fervent dedication to entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. Cardelle has strengthened founder networks across Barbados — creating a supportive peer community for emerging entrepreneurs who present at the regular Startup Huddle, and more.
Lilian Iwelu, local organizer for Startup Huddle Abuja
For her commitment to shaping Nigeria’s entrepreneurial future. Lilian is building a thriving, inclusive ecosystem through her Startup Huddle chapter—supporting over 1,500 entrepreneurs in Abuja and expanding impact through mentorship, digital support, and additional programming.
Dave Moskovitz, Chair, GEN New Zealand
For successfully positioning GEN New Zealand as the country’s go-to hub for entrepreneurial collaboration and offering a role model for ecosystem leaders around the world on how to listen to and selflessly support the community.
Maria Meyers, Founder, SourceLink
For her role as a trailblazer and author in America’s entrepreneurship ecosystem-building movement. The SourceLink platform, a first of its kind in the United States, includes over 5,000 organizations and has facilitated nearly 800,000 referrals to entrepreneur support resources since 2003.