For 24 years, the GP Bullhound Allstars Awards have recognised Europe's best founders, entrepreneurs, operators and the investors who back them. Organising it, Williams says, is one of the best parts of her job.

The 2026 winners were crowned in London on 15 October. Earlier that day, eight companies took the stage for the Allstars Company Challenge.

Eight companies, one stage

Williams picks out three highlights from the Company Challenge. MAGIC AI has built a full-length AI personal-trainer mirror that checks your form as you exercise. OQC is deploying quantum computers in commercial data centres. And Blue Light Card also stood out.

The title went to tem. Described as the Stripe for energy, it has reinvented how energy is bought and sold and has delivered more than $100m in transaction fees to its clients.

A year-round programme

The ceremony is the finale, but the work starts months earlier. In 2026 the Allstars ran six sub-sector categories as standalone events through the year, each one giving companies the chance to present to a panel of specialist investor judges.

More than 60 companies presented across the process. The judges then voted, and the winners were revealed at the Allstars dinner.

"We've seen lots of innovation across the shortlist, with real standout sectors like deep tech and sports tech," says Williams. "It's really exciting to see all this innovation in Europe coming through."

What the shortlist says about European tech

The Allstars shortlist is also a dataset: hundreds of companies, funds and exits that show where capital is going and why. This year, three themes stood out.

Capital is back, but selective. European startup funding reached $25bn in Q3 2026, up from $14bn a year earlier and the strongest quarter in four years. Most of it sits in a small number of large rounds, backing companies that can prove their economics.

Exits are happening, and buyers are global. The shortlist covers more than 90 exits. Most went to strategic buyers, and half of those buyers came from outside Europe.

Deep tech and sports tech are where Europe is building global leaders. Quantum, photonics, defence and robotics draw on Europe's research and engineering base, and attract some of the largest rounds. In sports tech, companies such as MAGIC AI, MatchWornShirt and WeWard are turning data, authentication and engagement into businesses with global reach.

The winners share the same traits: proprietary data or IP, real revenue with defensible unit economics, workflows customers depend on, an early push into the US, and strong growth.

‍

‍

Why GP Bullhound hosts the Allstars

For Williams, the point of the Allstars is bringing the whole European tech ecosystem together. "It's really great for GP Bullhound to be able to put this on for the entire European tech ecosystem, ending with one big celebration."

That is the same ecosystem GP Bullhound works with every day. Its specialist sector teams advise founders and investors at the moments that define their companies, from major raises to exits. The Allstars is where that community comes together to recognise the people doing the building, and where many of the conversations that shape the next year begin.

About the GP Bullhound Allstars Awards

Now in its 24th year, the GP Bullhound Allstars Awards recognise the founders, entrepreneurs, operators and investors building Europe's technology companies. The 2026 awards ran across 15 categories, from Deep Tech and Sports Tech to Exit of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

Stay connected

• Explore the full 2026 shortlist and winners at allstars-awards.com
• Explore GP Bullhound's sector expertise at gpbullhound.com
• Stay updated on all things Allstars on our LinkedIn page

‍