Entrepreneur Award
Proudly Sponsored By
About the Award
Celebrating the people who turn ambition into achievement.
Behind every successful business is someone with the vision to see an opportunity, the courage to pursue it and the determination to make it happen.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2027 recognises outstanding individuals who have founded, built, developed or transformed a business through their entrepreneurial drive, creativity and determination.
We’re looking for entrepreneurs who have demonstrated commercial success or sustained business performance, embraced innovation, overcome challenges and created opportunities for growth and development.
Entrepreneurial success isn’t always about rapid growth. Building a sustainable business, navigating difficult economic conditions, adapting to change and continuing to create opportunities are achievements worth celebrating.
Whether you’re an established entrepreneur with years of experience or someone earlier in their business journey, we want to hear what you’ve achieved and what makes your entrepreneurial story exceptional.
Who Can Enter?
The C2S Entrepreneur Award 2027 is open to individual entrepreneurs across all business sectors, including founders, business owners and individuals who have played a significant entrepreneurial role in developing or transforming a business across the South West, Midlands and South Wales, including Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath, Worcestershire and surrounding areas.
You can enter yourself or nominate another deserving entrepreneur.
This award recognises entrepreneurial achievement rather than leadership alone. We want to understand the individual’s personal contribution to building, developing or transforming a business.
Entry is completely free and open to both C2S members and non-members.
Judging Criteria
Our judges want to understand your entrepreneurial journey, the opportunities you’ve created, the challenges you’ve overcome and the difference you’ve made.
Every entrepreneurial journey is different. The following areas will help guide your entry, and you don’t need to demonstrate every point.
You might like to tell us about:
- Entrepreneurial Vision & Ambition: What inspired you, the opportunities you identified and how you turned your ideas into reality.
- Business Creation & Development: Your personal contribution to establishing, developing, growing or transforming a successful business.
- Commercial Achievement & Resilience: Evidence of strong or sustained commercial performance, business achievements and the ability to navigate challenging conditions.
- Innovation & Creativity: How you’ve introduced new ideas, products, services or approaches that have created opportunities or given your business a competitive advantage.
- Challenges & Determination: The obstacles you’ve faced, the risks you’ve taken and how you’ve overcome setbacks to achieve your ambitions.
- Entrepreneurial Impact: The difference you’ve made to your business, customers, employees, industry or wider community.
- Future Ambition: Your vision for the future and the opportunities you’re working towards.
Most importantly, tell us your story, what you’ve achieved, what makes you different and why your entrepreneurial journey deserves recognition.
What You Will Need To Enter
Basic business information, including your sector, turnover (where applicable), employee numbers, business values and workforce demographics.
All entries are confidential and shared only with the judging panel. You may enter multiple categories.
Why Enter?
Celebrate your people, strengthen your employer brand and gain recognition for creating an outstanding workplace, with opportunities for PR and promotion.
Tell us your story. Enter the Entrepreneur Award 2027.
How to Enter
Entering is simple and completely free!
Complete the online entry form and submit your application before the closing date. A member of the C2S team will then be in touch if any additional information or supporting documents are required.
Open to C2S members and non-members across the South West, Midlands and South Wales.
Save the Dates
Entries open
1st November 2026
Awards Breakfast
TBC
Entry Closing Date
TBC
Shortlisters’ celebration
TBC
Judging Takes Place
TBC
Finalists Drinks
TBC
Awards Evening
TBC
Knowledge Exchange Forum
TBC
Award Entry Guidelines
To give your entry the best chance of success, clearly demonstrate how your organisation or nominee has gone above and beyond, providing real examples, achievements and measurable results wherever possible. You may also submit additional supporting evidence, for example videos, news stories and/or accreditations.
Use clear headings and bullet points to help our judges understand your entry. The C2S team may contact you if additional information or supporting evidence is required.
Your entry should address the judging criteria above, supported by clear examples and measurable results wherever possible.
The application form will also ask for some basic information about your business:
- Business sector
- Turnover (where applicable)
- Number of employees
- Business purpose and values
NB: All information submitted will remain confidential and will only be shared with the judging panel.
You can enter multiple award categories, with a separate entry for each.
Important Information
- Free to enter – Open to C2S members and non-members.
- Nominations welcome – Enter your own organisation, nominate an individual or put forward another deserving business.
- Sponsors can enter – Sponsors may enter any categories they are not sponsoring.
- Finalist attendance – Finalists are expected to have at least one representative attend the Awards Evening, in accordance with our terms and conditions.
- Judging decisions – All entries are subject to our terms and conditions, and the judges’ decisions are final.
Please read our full Terms and Conditions before submitting your entry.
Ready to Enter or Nominate?
We look forward to celebrating your achievements and receiving your entry for the C2S Business Awards 2027.
Questions? Our team would be delighted to help. Contact info@c2sgrowth.com
A Message from the Category Sponsor
