We read every entry that reaches us. The ones that stall are short of one field, not a story.
What counts as a complete entrepreneur awards nomination for 2027
A complete entry gives the jury something to score. We look for evidence of traction, revenue or funding milestones, jobs created and real innovation. Claims you cannot evidence are better left out.
| Form field | What makes it complete | What it scores |
|---|---|---|
| Founder and company | Name, country, company, role, founding year | Eligibility, country listing |
| One category | One of the 59 open categories | The field you compete in |
| Achievement record | 150 to 300 words carrying numbers | Traction, milestones |
| Team and jobs | Headcount today and a year ago | Jobs created |
| Innovation note | What you built that your market lacked | Innovation |
| Proof links | Website, press, filings, an audited figure | Verification |
| Photograph | One horizontal or square portrait, 1 MB plus | Winner listing, gala screens |
Pick one category, not five
One strong entry beats three thin ones. Six of the most-awarded categories in our directory of 91 winners since 2023:
- Best Innovative Entrepreneur - Information Technology
- Best Young Entrepreneur - Professional Service
- Best Emerging Entrepreneur
- Best Innovative Entrepreneur
- Highly Successful Entrepreneur - Professional Service
- Best Innovative Entrepreneur - Ecommerce / Online Portals
The field we return most often is the achievement record. It reads as a biography, not a record of what changed. Our jury argues longest over founders whose growth is real but nowhere documented.
How to finish your entry in 20 minutes
Prepare outside the form. That is the only part that needs thinking.
- Note three numbers: revenue change, headcount change, customers served. Two minutes.
- Open the entrepreneur awards nomination form and enter your details. Four minutes.
- Choose one category. Three minutes.
- Write the achievement record around those three numbers. Seven minutes.
- Add proof links, upload the photograph. Four minutes.
The form e-mails a link back to your entry, so you can finish it the next day.
Entering one programme in one category is free. Paid plans add programmes, categories and promotional benefits: Silver USD 299, Gold USD 650, Diamond USD 680 for a limited period, Titanium USD 1,350. Our fee and winner package page has the detail, as do the group nomination plans. No plan and no payment changes a score or a result.
After you submit
Nothing more is needed. We check the entry, then pass it to the jury.
The jury scores this window between 20 September and 20 October 2026. Winners are decided internally between 3 and 30 October 2026. The gala follows on 14 November 2026 at the Westin Marina Hotel, Dubai.
Entries arriving after 15 October 2026 join the next cycle. That cycle runs to three galas: Dubai on 15 May 2027, Bangkok on 15 July 2027 and Dubai on 10 November 2027. The group award schedule carries every date.
There is no public vote. You nominate yourself, or a client or colleague nominates you. Both are scored the same way against published criteria. See how the winner directory is compiled and the entrepreneur award winners.
Frequently asked questions
The current window closes on 15 October 2026. Entries received by then are judged for the gala on 14 November 2026 in Dubai. Later entries join the next cycle, judged for the 2027 galas in Dubai on 15 May, Bangkok on 15 July and Dubai on 10 November.
Yes, within reason. Write to the awards team with your correction and we can update the entry before the jury closes its review. Scores already given are not revisited. Before you submit, the link we e-mail you reopens your saved entry.
We check that your entry is complete and confirm it by e-mail. The jury then scores it against the published criteria between 20 September and 20 October 2026. Winners are decided internally between 3 and 30 October 2026. You hear from us either way.
If those three numbers are to hand, open the form and finish your entry today.