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 the 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 Global Entrepreneurship Week Champion Award recognizes the organization that ran the best national Global Entrepreneurship Week Campaign in 2024 based on overall reach, diversity, creativity, visibility and impact.
The nominees are...
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany, and RKW Competence Center
For excellence year-over-year inspiring the next generation of founders while engaging several government agencies among 1,200 partner organizations addressing challenges in Germany's economy. And for its work giving back to the ecosystem, signaling to founder champions that their work is highly valued.
Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship
For its significant impact on the growth of Jordan's entrepreneurship ecosystem and founder pipeline, including women, youth and rural innovators over its 15-year partnership with GEN. And for extending its Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign beyond Jordanian borders to include several Arab countries.
Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka
For creating an inclusive platform where every voice matters, every idea is welcomed, and new opportunities are born – contributing to an 18 percent increase in the number of registered new businesses in the country compared to the previous year.
Daffodil International University in Bangladesh
For empowering entrepreneurs, influencing policy, and strengthening the ecosystem across 64 districts. This campaign has reached millions through in-person events and online campaigns, including a Youth Entrepreneurship Summit where 3,500 parents pledged to support their children’s entrepreneurial pursuits.
Shanghai Technology Entrepreneurship Foundation for Graduates
For its dedication to supporting new founders through Global Entrepreneurship Week in China annually since 2008. In 2024, its campaign unveiled the first companies seeded through its Angel Fund, an initiative that has created more than 30,000 jobs through investment in more than 4,000 companies.