Award Categories

Award entries are now closed

You will find information about each category below.

All applications will go through first round judging and finalists will be assessed by the judging panel to decide the winner of each category. 

The closing date for all entries was Friday 07 June 2024.

Winners will be announced at our awards event on 03 October 2024 at voco Grand Central, Glasgow.

See full Terms and Conditions

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START-UP BUSINESS OF THE YEAR  sponsored by Business Gateway

This award celebrates the entrepreneurial aptitude, vision, ambition, drive and commercial acumen to build a woman-led successful enterprise in Scotland from start-up.  

GROWTH BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by QUICKBLOCK

This award celebrates Scotland’s growing women-led businesses and recognises those that have achieved growth and financial performance. This may not necessarily be the largest turnover and may be the percentage of turnover and profit growth achieved. It recognises the businesses who have demonstrated a solid understanding of their competitors, customers, and markets they operate in; and have the foundations in place for continued commercial success.

OUTSTANDING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership

(Over 3 years, up to 250 employees, up to £12 million turnover)  

This award recognises the development and growing success of an established woman led business in Scotland, looking at clear values and purpose, business growth, strong financial performance, profitability, and brand awareness achieved in relation to the number of employees and budget.  

INSPIRING LEADER OF THE YEAR  

This award recognises a female business leader in Scotland who has contributed to enhancing the landscape for women led businesses. Entrants should demonstrate support and involvement with the women led business community and play an instrumental role in enabling women to start up in business and thrive.  

BUSINESS INVESTMENT OF THE YEAR sponsored by N4 Partners

This award recognises the women-led businesses in Scotland astutely applying funding to support business development and growth. Entrants may have secured funding from sources, including banks, commercial finance, venture capital investment, business angel investment and/or grants.

RESILIENT BUSINESS OF THE YEAR  

This award is for a woman-led business which has survived in the face of significant challenges, and can demonstrate resilience and business continuity against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic and cost-of-business crisis.

FAMILY BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR  

This award marks the achievements of a woman family member playing a key role in the senior leadership team of a family business in Scotland. The award recognises strategic direction, leadership and the application of sustainable business practices. (see T&Cs for details of this category)

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR sponsored by Scottish Enterprise

This award celebrates the women-led businesses that have made progress in sustainability by transitioning to net-zero, adopting renewable energy, demonstrating efficiency and innovation, and minimising environmental impact by reducing waste and reusing or recycling.

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BUSINESS TO WATCH OF THE YEAR sponsored by HFL Holistic Financial Leadership

This award celebrates a woman-led business progressing an exciting vision, for example applying novel, step-change innovation, utilising disruptive technology, driving societal change or evidencing all-round entrepreneurial flair. 

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PURPOSE-LED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR  sponsored by Muckle Media 

This award is for a women-led business which can demonstrate that it stands for something it believes in, going beyond profit and positively impacting society. The winner will be able to demonstrate that the business model has real purpose, by standing for and taking action on something bigger than its products and services.  

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