FOUNDING IS HARD.
YOU DESERVE AN ESEY.
YOU DESERVE AN ESEY.
The Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, Brought to You by
Small beginnings,
BIG MOVES.
The Easies celebrate the boldest early-stage founders globally. Outliers, mavericks, and dreamers building what the world doesn’t yet know it needs.
Global Awards
The Easies are here to honour the leap, courage deserves more than quiet admiration, it deserves a global stage.
4 Category Winners
Celebrating founders who shape culture, build transformative tech, drive lasting impact, and rewrite the rules.
$50k Prize Fund
Supporting founders through the hardest stage of business with personal liquidity when they need it most.
More Than A Trophy
Winners gain the capital, access, and amplification to take their vision to the world.
For those who dare to begin, MAKING DREAMS REALITY.
Honouring first-time entrepreneurs under four years in, pre-Series A, the awards spotlight potential over scale and ambition before it’s obvious, across every sector from climate to culture, fintech to healthtech.
Consumer Award
For the founder creating something people don’t just buy, but believe in. Their product, platform, or presence is already shaping culture far beyond its first audience.
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Impact Award
For the founder whose work moves the needle for people and planet, taking the harder road to create change that outlasts them. Their measure of success is a better world.
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Female Founder Award
For the women rewriting the rules, defying bias, breaking barriers, and building on their own terms. Undeniable, unstoppable, and impossible to overlook.
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Technology Award
For the founder turning breakthrough ideas into transformative tools, building technology the world doesn’t yet know it needs, but soon won’t be able to live without.
Apply Now
JUDGES
Adam Levene
Founder, 37W
Multi-time founder at the intersection of commerce and culture. Backing brilliance before it’s obvious.
Adam Marshall CBE
Specialist Partner, Flint Global | Ex-Director General, British Chambers of Commerce
Voice of business policy and innovation. Bringing rigour to what readiness looks like at early stage.
Alastair Lukies CBE
Chief Engagement Officer, Endava
Fintech pioneer and ecosystem builder. Championing founders fusing technology with real-world traction.
Amal Dokham
Managing Partner, 500 MENA
Investor scaling the region’s boldest startups. Backing founders with vision, velocity and venture potential.
Anthony Murphy
Founder & Managing Director, Prime Advocates
Legal architect for mission-led ventures. Backing founders building with integrity and intent.
Charlotte Kirby
Head of Global Relations, ServiceNow
Connector of global platforms and purpose. Spotlighting founders transforming systems from the inside out.
Chris Tottman
Founding Partner, Notion Capital
Early-stage tech investor and entrepreneur mentor. Backing founders who are building the next generation of transformative companies.
Debbie Klein
Former Group CMO and CPO, Sky
Helped build one of the UK’s most iconic media brands. Championing founders who know storytelling is strategy.
Erin Platts
CEO of Octopus Investments
A pan-European Venture Capital team investing in the people, ideas and industries that will change the world.
Graeme Smith
Founder, T20 Cricket
Invented a new format of a global sport. Bringing an eye for breakout ideas and cultural reach.
HRH Princess Beatrice
Founder, BY-EQ | OPUS Board Member & Impact Advocate
Founder of BY-EQ and long-time champion of equity and access. Amplifying bold founders building for good.
Imtiaz Patel
Former CEO, Multichoice Group
Built one of the world’s major media platforms. Here to spot founders rewriting regional narratives.
Jeff Lynn
Co-Founder and Chair, Republic Europe (Seedrs) | Co-Founder and Chair, The Startup Coalition
Builds platforms that democratise investing. Shapes policy that helps Britain innovate.
Kristen McLeod CBE
Chief Strategy Officer, British Business Bank
Shapes national policy on founder finance. Here to spotlight the entrepreneurs transforming access to capital.
Lyndon Subroyen
Group Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Investec
Leading Investec’s digital and AI vision. Backing founders reimagining how finance meets technology.
Marc Porat
Founder, General Magic
Silicon Valley visionary behind the first smartphone. Championing world-changing ideas before the world catches on.
Maxine Gray
Head of Strategy & Implementation, Investec Wealth & Investment International
Driving strategy with purpose. Championing founders who blend financial innovation with sustainable impact.
Niama El Bassunie
Managing Partner, Baobab Network
Investor focused on early-stage brilliance. Spotlighting founders solving deep, systemic challenges.
Nihal Arthanayake
British Radio & TV Presenter
Renowned broadcaster amplifying underrepresented voices. Here to help surface founders from outside the usual circles
Tamam Mango
CEO, Crown Prince Foundation (Jordan)
Shaping the future through youth and civic innovation. Championing founders driving regional impact at scale.
Tania Bryer CBE
Broadcaster, CNBC
Global storyteller with a business lens.
Tunde Banjoko OBE
Founder & CEO, Making The Leap
Driving systemic change through social mobility. Backing founders who build not just businesses but a fairer, more inclusive future.
Unmissable Dates
Applications Open
6TH october
Applications close
5th November 11:59pm GMT
Shortlist Announced
Mid November
Public Vote
Mid November
Judging
Late november
Award Announcement & Party
December
DAVOS
January