A new global award scheme aimed at recognising the world’s most promising early-stage entrepreneurs has been launched in London.
The Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (The Investec Easies), powered by OPUS, is the first awards scheme designed to spotlight founders at the very beginning of their entrepreneurial journey. The initiative will give African founders a platform to celebrate their work alongside applicants from other continents.
The awards feature categories such as Impact, Consumer, Technology, and Female Founder, with winners receiving:
- £10,000 cash prize
- Global media visibility
- A seat at Davos with the OPUS delegation
- Membership in the OPUS founder ecosystem
Selection will combine public votes and the judgment of an international panel spanning capital, culture, and entrepreneurship. Judges include:
- Imtiaz Patel, former CEO of MultiChoice Group
- Maxine Gray, Head of Strategy and Implementation, Investec Wealth & Investment International
- Lyndon Subroyen, Group Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Investec
- Alastair Lukies CBE, Chief Engagement Officer at Endava
- Kristen McLeod CBE, Chief Strategy Officer, British Business Bank
- Erin Platts, CEO of Octopus Ventures
- Marc Porat, Founder of General Magic
The awards are open to founders leading companies that are under four years old and pre-Series A, aiming to uncover bold ideas before they scale or exit the market.
In partnership with Investec Wealth & Investment International and Endava, the awards offer founders access to capital, global visibility, and strategic support. Winners will also join the OPUS Delegation to Davos, gaining exposure to a forum typically reserved for corporates, unicorn founders, and world leaders.
Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Founder & Chair of OPUS, said:
“Founders at this stage often work in the shadows. The Investec Easies reward the audacity to begin, not just the ability to scale. Every story starts with a leap of courage: the idea scribbled on a napkin, the risky quit from a stable job, the first late-night coding session. These leaps are rarely recognised, yet they are the beating heart of entrepreneurship. The Investec Easies celebrate those sparks of possibility because they are where the future is born.”
Applications are open at www.theeasies.com and close November 5, 2025. Founders of companies under four years old and pre-Series A are invited to apply.
BY TIMES REPORTER
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