A new global initiative has been launched to celebrate the world’s most promising young founders—those building companies less than four years old and still in the pre-Series A stage.
OPUS, in partnership with Investec Wealth & Investment International, has officially rolled out The Investec Early-Stage Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, also known as The Investec Easies.
Unlike traditional entrepreneurship awards that focus on scale and valuation, The Investec Easies are designed to honour the bold beginnings—the moment of risk, innovation, and belief before success is visible.
With over 305 million new businesses started globally each year but only a fraction breaking through, the awards aim to shine a light on entrepreneurs still operating in the shadows of early growth.
The awards are backed by major global players, including Investec and Endava, signalling serious commitment to nurturing early innovation and founder-led vision.
A world-class judging panel featuring leaders in investment, technology, and entrepreneurship will determine the winners alongside public votes. Among the judges are:
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, Endava)
Kristen McLeod CBE (Chief Strategy Officer, British Business Bank)
Imtiaz Patel (former CEO, MultiChoice Group)
Erin Platts (CEO, Octopus Ventures)
Marc Porat (Founder, General Magic)
Winners will secure a £10,000 cash prize, tailored growth support from OPUS and its partners, and—most notably—a place in the OPUS Delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, giving early-stage founders access to one of the most influential global stages typically reserved for world leaders, unicorn founders, and multinational CEOs.
Sam Tidswell-Norrish, Founder & Chair of OPUS, said:
“Founders at this stage often work in the shadows… With The Investec Easies, we want to celebrate those sparks of possibility, because they are where the future is born.”
Joubert Hay, CEO of Investec Wealth & Investment International, added:
“Investec is rooted in entrepreneurship… By developing and nurturing early-stage entrepreneurship, we are investing in driving sustainable economic growth in the geographies where we operate.”
Awards will be given across five categories, each highlighting a different type of founder courage;
Impact ESEY – lasting change beyond the founder
Consumer ESEY – brands that inspire belief
Technology ESEY – innovations the world doesn’t know it needs yet
Female Founder ESEY – women building with autonomy and vision
Investec ES ESEY Award
Kristen McLeod CBE, Chief Strategy Officer of the British Business Bank, emphasised the importance of access over capital:
“Backing early founders is about far more than capital… That access has a ripple effect… That’s why we’re proud to be part of this.”
Alastair Lukies CBE, Chief Engagement Officer at Endava, said: “The Easies are the first awards of their kind – shining a light on founders at the very start, when courage matters most… Together, we’re backing the visionaries whose ideas will shape the future.”
Applications are officially open to founder-led startups under four years old and pre-Series A.
The deadline for submissions is 5th November 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be revealed in November, winners will be announced in December, and the final cohort will head to Davos in January 2026.
