This award recognises an entrepreneur building a business with real momentum and clear potential. It is for founders who are relatively early in their journey, but show the kind of thinking, ambition and resilience that suggest something significant is being built. It’s not about growth for growth’s sake, but a business with exceptional potential that could go on to make a meaningful contribution to the region.
• The business must be registered in the North East.
• The nominated entrepreneur must hold a significant financial stake.
• Annual turnover must have been between £1m and £25m in the last financial year.
• A business showing strong, consistent growth and commercial traction, with the momentum to grow and contribute positively to the North East economy.
• A clear opportunity to grow into a £10m+ business and beyond.
• Evidence of breakout potential, whether through new ideas, technologies, or ways of working.
• Ambitious founders with the capability to build and lead as they scale.
• Signs of financial discipline and a business built on solid foundations that can be scaled.
This award recognises an entrepreneur leading a well-run, resilient business that is consistently delivering and contributing positively to the North East. It is about substance. It is for founders who drive strong performance, offer clear leadership, a positive culture, and have built a business to last.
• The business must be registered in the North East and have been incorporated for at least two years as of 1st January 2026.
• The nominated entrepreneur must hold a significant financial stake.
• Annual turnover must have been between £1m and £25m in the last financial year.
• A business that has adapted and performed through change, showing resilience over time.
• Consistent commercial performance, including growth, profitability, and financial discipline.
• Strong leadership, with the ability to build and retain a high-performing team.
• Clear strategy, with evidence of good decision-making and delivery.
• A business that has a strong value proposition, is valued by its customers, and is relevant in its market.
• A wider contribution, whether through supporting others, the ecosystem, or the local community.
This award recognises an entrepreneur who gives their time and experience generously to support others, and plays a meaningful role in strengthening entrepreneurship across the region. It mirrors the essence of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, reflecting the altruistic spirit of entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs.
• You must have (or have had) a significant financial stake in a business registered in the North East.
• A visible role model who actively champions entrepreneurship, in the region and beyond.
• A track record of supporting other founders, through mentoring, advice or advocacy.
• A genuine, consistent contribution to others, given without expectation.
• Someone who is sought out by others for their experience and perspective.
This award recognises an entrepreneur who has led a business through a period of significant growth and is building something of real scale. It is for founders who are pushing forward, creating new opportunities, and making a measurable impact on their market and the region’s economy.
• The business must be registered in the North East and have been incorporated for at least five years as of 1st January 2026.
• The nominated entrepreneur must hold a significant financial stake.
• Annual turnover must be over £25m as reported in the last financial year.
• A business that has moved the dial in its market, through new ideas, approaches or execution.
• Clear evidence of sustained performance across revenue, people, investment, or profitability consistently over multiple years.
• Leadership that has built a strong, positive culture and invested in attracting and developing talent.
• A measurable contribution to the North East economy, particularly through job creation and long-term growth.
Recognising a business leader who has spent years building, contributing, and giving back to the North East, this award is for sustained impact over time. Not a single success, but a body of work that has shaped businesses, supported others, and left a lasting mark on the region and its economy.
