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 Investor Champion Award recognizes angel investors, venture capitalists or other members of the GEN Invest community who have significantly advanced the interests of investors and the startups they enable.
The nominees in this category are...
Linda Smith, Chair Emeritus of the Angel Capital Association
For tirelessly and selflessly giving back to the global ecosystem, training and mentoring investors, expanding the reach of the GEN Invest community, and helping to advance GEN's global mission.
Israel Pons, CEO of Angels Nest
For his leadership of the GEN Invest LatAm Council and investor communities across Latin America, championing investor upskilling globally, and mentoring startups rising through GEN programs with passion and purpose.
Fadilah Tchoumba, CEO of the African Business Angel Network
For fueling connectivity across Africa to the world, identification and support of investors, and inspirational mentorship and influential advocacy of GEN programs – from the Global Business Angels Network to GEC+Africa and the Entrepreneurship World Cup.
Marcel Dridje, Board Member, European Business Angels Network
For forging powerful connections between investors and startups across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe that fuels investor growth and sparks new opportunities across borders.
Carlos S. Baradello, Founder of Alaya Capital
For his pioneering leadership in the Latin American investor ecosystem, and for rallying and connecting investors to strategize on economic growth through the GEN Invest LatAm Council.