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Kambis Kohansal Vajargah honoured as ‘Start-up Ecosystem Leader of the Year’ at the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2025
The Austrian Federal Economic Chamber executive is recognised in Dubai for his impact on entrepreneurship, innovation policy, and inclusive startup ecosystems
- PUBLISHED: Mon 26 Jan 2026, 6:46 PM
Dubai hosted global leaders and changemakers as the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2025 – Global Edition concluded at JA Resorts & Hotels, Soul Beach, bringing together delegates from across continents for a two-day celebration of leadership, innovation, and impact. Recognised as a prominent international platform for leadership excellence, the awards honoured individuals whose work is shaping industries, ecosystems, and communities worldwide.
Among the honourees, Kambis Kohansal Vajargah was presented with the Start-up Ecosystem Leader of the Year award in recognition of his contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation policy, and ecosystem development. As Head of Startup Services and Deputy Head of Founder Services at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, he has played a key role in strengthening Austria’s startup landscape by supporting founders, improving access to opportunity, and advancing frameworks that encourage innovation-led growth.
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The recognition reflects his long-standing commitment to building inclusive systems where entrepreneurship is accessible regardless of background. Drawing on his experience as a founder and ecosystem builder, he has contributed to reforms and initiatives that support thousands of new entrepreneurs annually, while also engaging in international dialogue on startup policy, talent mobility, and cross-border collaboration.
The Forttuna Global Excellence Awards 2025 marked a milestone year for the platform, with more than 2.17 million digital profiles screened through AI-led processes and nearly 88,000 interviews conducted across multiple regions. Participation spanned over 100 countries, underlining the initiative’s global scale, while the ceremony was also streamed live to audiences worldwide.
Hosted by Dr Raul Handa and Aditii Handa, the event brought together policymakers, founders, investors, corporate leaders, and innovators to exchange perspectives on leadership, purpose-driven growth, and global cooperation. The gathering further reinforced Dubai’s position as a hub for international dialogue and recognition across sectors.
As global economies continue to evolve, platforms such as the Forttuna Global Excellence Awards play an important role in spotlighting leadership that drives long-term impact. By recognising individuals and initiatives that prioritise innovation, inclusion, and collaboration, the awards reflect the changing nature of leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
