Global Start Up Coach 2024…

A Historic Win: What My Global Startup Coach Award Means for You

As a founder or a leader of a world-class incubator or accelerator, you understand the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Today, I'm thrilled to share a significant milestone in my journey that I believe underscores the calibre of support Open To Create>>> offers:

I have been named the winner of the inaugural Global Startup Coach Award.

This isn't just a personal accolade; it's a validation of the impactful, world-class coaching I'm committed to bringing to founders like yours, and within the ecosystems you foster. The award, launched by EdTech startup accelerator DOHE, sought to identify and celebrate exceptional startup and scale coaches worldwide – professionals who consistently demonstrate success in enabling EdTech ventures to thrive.

The competitive 10-week program paired finalists with promising startups. My partnership was with Tech Balance, a pioneering mental health app transforming student wellbeing. Working directly with its founder, Ryan Bell, I provided bespoke strategic guidance and operational insights, offering remote support to his global teams, including those in Thailand.

The tangible results were clear: my involvement significantly influenced Tech Balance's operations, directly contributing to Ryan and his team securing three new business contracts during the assessment period. This outcome reflects the direct, measurable impact that strategic coaching can deliver.

Beyond the Award: Expanding Our Global Reach and Expertise

Emerging as the winner from over 100 applications was a profound honour. This achievement, particularly the $100,000 prize, has enabled me to strategically invest in Open To Create’s future, broadening our international networks and forging new, innovation-driven partnerships that will directly benefit the founders we serve.

This win has already propelled Open To Create >>> onto a more expansive global stage. Recently, I travelled as part of the UK delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2025 in Indiana, USA – an invaluable opportunity to engage with global leaders and innovators.

Following this, I visited Naomi Mwasambili, a former Knowledge Quarter Sciontec Liverpool-based founder, in Tanzania, where she's spearheading remarkable innovation in food systems and health provision through Livy Africa.

Crucially, this award has facilitated a significant pan-African partnership with Ernest Gavor, Engine Business Network, and ALX Ventures in Ghana. Through this collaboration, we are actively sharing advanced coaching methodologies with incubator and accelerator founders, empowering them to enhance their strategic and day-to-day successes, alongside cultivating crucial growth mindsets and wellbeing.

Insights for Founders and Ecosystem Leaders

My overarching takeaway from this global experience, and one I consistently advocate for within the dynamic founder community here in the Liverpool City Region, and beyond in thriving place-based ecosystems, is the critical importance of never doing it alone.

For budget holders overseeing incubation and acceleration programs, this underscores the value of investing in expert external support that can genuinely move the needle for your portfolio companies.

For founders committed to achieving their full potential, here are my key recommendations:

·        Strategic Learning: Proactively seek out and leverage the wealth of resources available to inform your strategic planning and execution. Accessing well-researched industry publications and data, such as those available at the BIPC library space in Liverpool Central Library, can significantly aid your personal and professional growth.

·        Targeted Outreach: Identify and connect with individuals who possess the specific skills, experience, and networks to support your growth trajectory. Learning from established best practices and embedding yourself within a robust innovation ecosystem is invaluable.

·        Expert Referral: When seeking to accelerate your business development or to gain a competitive edge, consider engaging a recommended startup coach or an experienced founder mentor. A trusted referral can connect you with the precise expertise needed to unlock your full potential.

This award reinforces my commitment to delivering exceptional coaching that drives tangible results.

If you are a founder serious about world-class coaching or a leader seeking to enhance the capabilities within your accelerator or incubator, I invite you to connect. I'm happy to offer interested founders a free discovery call. Please get in touch here: https://www.opentocreate.com/connect