INDIVIDUAL IDEATION: This individual is an idea originator and a primary creator or co-creator of the business. This person conceptualizes, strategizes and launches the venture, and navigates the evolution of the business model. Evidence should demonstrate this individual exercises high-level, independent thinking related not only to the nascent business but also to their own abilities as leader. Any qualified candidate is a founder, an owner or a past owner who may or not remain actively involved in day-to-day decisions of the business at the time of the nomination allowing for selling the business or acquisition arrangements.

RISK RESILIENCE: This individual is described as “a risk-taker” who faces ambiguity with imperturbable enthusiasm. This leader demonstrates perseverance in skeptical environments and stalwartly rebuffs dim forecasts that predict failure and discount success. The candidate should effectively manage exposure to unnecessary risks while embracing nervy but calculated ones.

SIGNIFICANT & SUSTAINED GROWTH: The recipient’s enterprise must have completed three (3) years of operations as a for-profit business. The business should satisfy indicators that illustrate growth in products and/or services with attention to end-user satisfaction, repeat engagements or customers, and projections for ongoing business.

VISIONARY WORK CULTURE: The operationalized business model should clearly nurture creativity and sustain capacity for innovation leading to future experimentation of product and services for both existing customers and yet-undiscovered opportunities. The perception should be universal this individual conducts business in an ethical manner and values principled business philosophies and core business practices, including the development of these standards and qualities among human capital. The entrepreneurial DNA should remain and scale.

COMMUNITY & SOCIAL IMPACT: This individual should balance conscience and profitability. The business concept, strategy and rollout should exhibit awareness of impact on community directly and indirectly, including investment of financial resources and other resources (time, talent, materials/facilities/equipment), and involvement of self and others in the organization. The management team should promote a level of empathy and compassion among partners and employees. Innovation should engage the community and do-good endeavors should mirror entrepreneurship and the lessons of scale should be applied to social impact as growth in the venture.