2024 Entrepreneurial Awards

Get ready to raise your glass to the entrepreneurs who are rewriting the rules — the trailblazers, pioneers and innovators of the North East.

Since 2004, our Entrepreneurial Awards have recognised, celebrated and illuminated the North East's best business talent with finalists representing every stage of the business lifecycle from one to watch to lifetime achievement.

Now in our 20th year, we have introduced new award categories to recognise the entrepreneurs in our region that are making an impact.

Open to all in the North East business community, our annual awards are an evening packed with celebration, leaving you with memories as unforgettable as the North East's entrepreneurial spirit itself!

Key Dates and Important Information

Monday 8th April 2024 — Applications open. Apply yourself or nominate an entrepreneur you admire.

Friday 24th May 2024 — Applications close 5pm.

Monday 24th June 2024 Shortlists announced.

Friday 27th September 2024 — Winners announced at our Gala Dinner at Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.

Categories

One to Watch

An entrepreneur who is building a new business with the potential to positively impact our region.

Impact

An entrepreneur behind a resilient and inclusive business which is making a sustained contribution to making the North East a better place.

Scale-up

An entrepreneur behind a high growth business which is having a positive economic impact on our region, and has the potential to continue to benefit the North East.

Champion

An entrepreneur who is a role model and inspiring other entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Our judges will select one of the above four winners to win the overall title of 'Entrepreneur of the Year'.  This will focus on performance in the past 12 months alone.

Lifetime Achievement

A business leader who has shown huge commitment over a significant period of time and made a major impact to the regional economy

Want to nominate someone?

Tell us who you think deserves an award and we’ll get in touch with them and encourage them to apply.

Nominating is simple. Just tell us who you admire and why and we’ll do the rest.

What happens if you're nominated?

If you're nominated, we'll ask you to submit an application for our judges to review. When submitting an application, please follow the below guidance: 

  1. All applications should be submitted by email to info@entreprenuersforum.net by Friday 24th May 2024.
  2. Applications can be submitted on behalf of the nominated entrepreneur, but they must have the entrepreneurs’ approval.
  3. Applications must include all of the information listed for their relevant category.
  4. We will accept written (no more than 400 words), video or graphical entries – you decide. Files over 10MB should be submitted by WeTransfer.
  5. All information will be treated as confidential but will be shared with the judges for the purposes of judging.
  6. There is no cost to apply.

Last Year's Winners Include:

Daniel Wade
Daniel Wade
Wade Construction Management
Dale Smith
Dale Smith
The SDDE Smith Group
Ben Ridgway and Jamie Cooke
Ben Ridgway and Jamie Cooke
iamproperty
Alice Hall
Alice Hall
Rowen Homes and Pink Boutique
Sir Graham Wylie CBE
Sir Graham Wylie CBE
Sage

Terms and Conditions of Entry

— Entrants do not need to be Entrepreneurs' Forum members but they must meet the award eligibility criteria.
— All entries will be reviewed by our judging panels which comprise leading North East entrepreneurs and representatives from our corporate partners. By entering you are not guaranteed to be shortlisted and the judges decision on who to shortlist is final.
— Entrepreneurs which are shortlisted will be invited to an interview with the judging panel.
— The winners will be announced at our gala dinner to be held at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead on the evening of Friday 27th September 2024
— Each shortlisted finalist will be given one complimentary ticket to attend the dinner on Friday 27th September 2024 though additional tickets may be purchased.
— The judges decision is final.

Proud to be partnered by: