Nominate

Don't miss the deadline, nominations close in:

We welcome nominations for our 2026 Awards from both members and non-members and for members and non-members.

Before completing the form below, please read through the criteria for each Award category and remember you can only nominate someone in ONE category.  You’ll find the nomination form at the bottom of this page.

Please note that businesses must be SMEs, headquartered in Scotland or have a significant operational presence within Scotland.

Nominations close on Friday 11th September at 12 noon.

If you would like to apply directly for an Award, click HERE.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

This Award recognises an exceptional founder who has built a successful, sustainable and profitable business whilst demonstrating outstanding entrepreneurial leadership, innovation and resilience.

Eligibility Criteria

  • The founder or co-founder of a business that has been trading for a minimum of three years.
  • The business must be able to demonstrate sustained profitability and financial stability.
  • The founder must continue to play a significant leadership role within the business.
  • Open to entrepreneurs of all ages.

INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

This Award recognises an entrepreneur who has successfully grown their business beyond the UK and established a meaningful international presence.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Founder or co-founder of a business trading for a minimum of three years.
  • The business must be trading profitably.
  • The business must be generating revenue from international markets through the export of products or services, overseas operations or established international customers.
  • Open to entrepreneurs of all ages.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

This Award recognises an outstanding young entrepreneur who has built a successful and sustainable business at an early stage of their career.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Founder or co-founder of a business trading for a minimum of eighteen months.
  • The business must be trading profitably.
  • Applicants must be 35 years of age or under on the closing date for applications.
  • The applicant must remain actively involved in leading the business.

Judges will be looking for:

  • Exceptional entrepreneurial ability and leadership.
  • Strong commercial performance and sustainable growth.
  • Evidence of overcoming challenges.
  • Innovation and originality.
  • A positive workplace culture.
  • Clear ambition for future growth.
  • Contribution to their industry or wider business community.

EXECUTIVE LEADER OF THE YEAR

This Award recognises an exceptional senior executive who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commercial acumen and strategic vision whilst making a significant contribution to the success of their organisation.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Open to individuals holding a senior executive leadership position, including but not limited to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Managing Director, Executive Director or an equivalent C-suite or executive leadership role.
  • The organisation must have been trading for a minimum of three years.
  • The organisation must be able to demonstrate sustained commercial performance and financial stability.
  • The applicant must have held their current senior leadership role for a sufficient period to demonstrate meaningful impact on the organisation.
  • Open to executives across all sectors and organisations of any size.

HIGH GROWTH COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This Award recognises a business that has achieved exceptional and sustainable growth whilst maintaining strong commercial performance.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A business trading for a minimum of three years.
  • The business must be trading profitably.
  • The business must be able to demonstrate ongoing significant and sustained growth.
  • Open to businesses of any sector.

Judges will be looking for:

  • Exceptional year-on-year growth in turnover and profitability.
  • Sustainable rather than one-off growth.
  • A scalable business model.
  • Strong financial management.
  • Investment in people, systems and innovation.
  • Customer retention and market expansion.
  • Clear plans for continued future growth.

SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This Award recognises an exceptional small or medium-sized business that consistently demonstrates excellence across every aspect of its operations.

Eligibility Criteria

  • A business trading for a minimum of three years.
  • The business must be trading profitably.
  • The business must employ 250 people or fewer.
  • Open to businesses across all sectors.

Judges will be looking for:

  • Strong and consistent financial performance.
  • Outstanding leadership and management.
  • Excellent customer service and customer satisfaction.
  • Investment in employees and workplace culture.
  • Innovation and continuous improvement.
  • Operational excellence and sound governance.
  • Positive contribution to the local economy, industry or wider community.
  • Clear evidence that the business has achieved sustainable success over a number of years.

AWARD CATEGORIES

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