AWARD CATEGORIES

Start Up Business of the Year

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TBC

Requirements: Business started trading after 1st March 2024

This category is open to businesses of any size, showing what it takes to launch a business and demonstrate entrepreneurial skills and growth in their first 2 years.

The judges will be looking at:

• Financial growth and results.
• Have you spotted a gap in the market and demonstrated entrepreneurial skills?
• Future growth opportunities and plans.

Micro Business of the Year

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TBC

Requirements: 1-2 people

This category supports our Micro Business community, businesses who manage their turnover, growth, marketing, accounting, supply and juggling family life alone!

The judges will be looking at:

• Financial growth and results and potential growth for the future.
• Strong entrepreneurial skills.
• How you market/advertise your business and stand out from competitors.

Small Business of the Year

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TBC

Requirements: 3-10 people

This category is for companies that demonstrate growth, understand their product or service and show impressive financial results.

The judges will be looking for:

• Financial growth and potential growth for the future.
• Strong entrepreneurial skills.
• How you market and advertise your small business and stand out from competitors.

Business of the Year

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: 11+ People

This category is for companies that demonstrate sustainability, continual growth, and overcome challenges to drive the business forward, showing initiative with great management practices.

The judges will be looking for:

• Financial growth and results.
• Investment in staff training and development
• Positive impact on the local community

Business Person of the Year

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TBC

Requirements: 1 person, any size business

The Business Person of the Year category celebrates exceptional individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in the Northamptonshire business world.

The judges will be looking for:

• Significant positive impact on industries and communities.
• Ambition, instinct, and perseverance.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing strong leadership skills in the business realm.

The West Northamptonshire Innovative Enterprise Award

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TBC

Requirements: Based in West Northamptonshire

This award is to celebrate organisations implementing innovative measures to benefit the workforce, support the local community, increase productivity and grow the local economy in West Northamptonshire. This Award is open to businesses, charities, and organisations.

The judges will be looking for:

• How your organisation is leading the way in your field, being innovative & creative to achieve your goals
• Delivery of innovation and growth in West Northamptonshire to increase productivity and skill levels
• How your organisation benefits the local community and grows the local economy

The North Northamptonshire Enterprise Award

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Based in North Northamptonshire

This award is to celebrate excellence in North Northamptonshire. This Award is open to businesses, charities, and organisations.

The judges will be looking for:

• Delivered a positive impact to the local community.
• Shown innovation and growth in North Northamptonshire.
• Contributed to the local economy.

Northamptonshire Tourism Award

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Visitor attraction, accommodation providers and those in the tourism sector.

The Northamptonshire Tourism Award recognises excellence in promoting the region as a tourist destination.

The judges will be looking for:

• Innovative strategies.
• Visitor satisfaction.
• Economic impact.

The Green Award

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Business, charity or organisation

The Green Award recognises initiatives that have gone the extra mile to make a meaningful difference to the entity’s impact on the environment and their sustainability.

The judges will be looking for:

• Actions to reduce carbon footprint in Northamptonshire.
• A strong focus on the environment and the UK Government’s Net Zero target.
• Demonstrate actions and initiatives to go greener.

Food & Drink Business of the Year

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Cafes, coffee shops, pubs, hotels, takeaways, food producers, and other food & drink sectors.

This award celebrates businesses shaping Northamptonshire’s finest food and drink sector.

The judges will be looking for:

• Strong customer feedback
• How you stand out from your competitors
• Financial growth and potential growth for the future.

Hair & Beauty Business of the Year

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Nail bars, hairdressers, beauty salons, cosmetics, and other hair and beauty.

This category is for those who provide consistently good service, atmosphere, customer satisfaction and keep up to date with all current market trends and regulations.

The judges will be looking for:

• Strong customer feedback.
• How you stand out from your competitors.
• Financial growth and potential growth for the future.

Health & Wellbeing Business of the Year

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Those with a strong focus on health and well-being within their entity and those servicing the industry, such as gyms, sports clubs, and counsellors.

This category needs to demonstrate a business model that helps improve people’s health & well-being with a strong focus on creating a better environment to improve people’s health locally.

The judges will be looking for:

• Strong customer feedback.
• How you stand out from your competitors.
• Overall focus on health and wellbeing

Charity of the Year

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements: Registered charity

This category is for those who provide exceptional support to those in the County. This may be in the way of helping to support local people, or how you are making a difference in your community.

The judges will be looking for:

• Examples of how you are making a difference in Northamptonshire
• Impact made with those supported
• Why you should be named Charity of the Year

Special Recognition Award

Sponsored By

TBC

Requirements:  This category is for an individual who deserves special recognition. They must be based in Northamptonshire.

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised in your business, charity or organisation? Maybe it’s someone who has gone the extra mile in your community and continues to make a difference? This is the award for them!

The judges will be looking for:

• Why the nominee should be recognised
• What has the nominee achieved
• Why they deserve the Special Recognition Award