Global Startup Awards (GSA) was born out of the Danish startup ecosystem through the Nordic Startup Awards in 2012. What began as a regional initiative has grown into the world’s largest independent startup competition platform, now covering 154 countries across 19 regions. Through its competition framework and flagship events, GSA connects startups, investors, corporates, governments, and ecosystem enablers to showcase and accelerate innovation on both regional and global levels. GSA has offices in Copenhagen and Budapest and works closely with governments, investors, and business partners worldwide. Its model operates through a licensee-and-partnership structure, in which external organisations under the GSA framework lead several regional programs. Beyond competitions, GSA has evolved into a global innovation platform spanning multiple pillars — from events and content to data, insights, and venture partnerships — that drives collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen innovation ecosystems around the world.