These categories recognize the achievements of individual entrepreneurs and founding teams since the beginning of 2023. The year a company was founded is not relevant; nominations must focus on achievements occurring since the beginning of 2024.

Nominations that won in The 2025 International Business Awards® may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2026 awards. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.

Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2026 competition include:

1. A written essay of up to 4,900 characters describing the nominee's accomplishments since 1 January 2024, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Describe the nominee's accomplishments since 1 January 2024 (up to 4,900 characters). Required
b. In bullet-list form (up to 1,150 characters), a brief summary of up to ten (10) of the nominee's chief achievements since 1 January 2024. Required
c. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 1,500 characters). Optional

2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, work samples, internal or external reviews, or employee feedback, for example.

Best Entrepreneur (any member of the founding team of an organization may be nominated)

A60. Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations

A61. Aerospace & Defense

A62. Agriculture & Agritech (New for 2026)

A63. Apparel, Beauty & Fashion

A64. Automotive & Transport Equipment

A65. Banking

A66. Biotechnology (New for 2026)

A67. Business & Professional Services

A68. Chemicals

A69. Computer Hardware

A70. Computer Software

A71. Computer Services

A72. Conglomerates

A73. Consumer Products - Durables

A74. Consumer Products - Non-Durables

A75. Consumer Services

A76. Cybersecurity (New for 2026)

A77. Diversified Services

A78. E-commerce (New for 2026)

A79. Education & EdTech (New for 2026)

A80. Electronics

A81. Energy

A82. Environmental Services/CleanTech (New for 2026)

A83. Financial Services

A84. Food & Beverage

A85. Gaming & Esports (New for 2026)

A86. Health Products & Services

A87. Health Providers (New for 2026)

A88. Hospitality & Leisure

A89. Insurance

A90. Internet/New Media

A91. Legal

A92. Logistics & Supply Chain (New for 2026)

A93. Manufacturing

A94. Materials & Construction

A95. Media & Entertainment

A96. Metals & Mining

A97. Non-Profit or Government Organizations

A98. Pharmaceuticals

A99. Real Estate

A100. Retail

A101. Telecommunications

A102. Transportation

A103. Utilities

A104. Venture Capital & Private Equity (New for 2026)

A105. Best Digital Entrepreneur
Recognizes leaders transforming industries with groundbreaking digital platforms or technologies.

A106. Best Female Entrepreneur
Highlights outstanding achievements of women entrepreneurs across various industries.

A107. Best Serial Entrepreneur (New for 2026)
Recognizes entrepreneurs who have successfully founded or co-founded more than one organization and achieved significant results across their ventures since the beginning of 2024.

A108. Best Social Entrepreneur
Recognizes entrepreneurs addressing societal challenges through innovative business solutions.

A109. Best Sustainability Entrepreneur
Honors entrepreneurs leading businesses focused on environmental sustainability or renewable energy.

A110. Best Young Entrepreneur
Celebrates exceptional entrepreneurs under 35 for leadership and innovation.