Category 10
Tech Entrepreneurship
Founders, startup CTOs, bootstrapped builders with evidence of product-market fit and real customer traction.
Who should apply
- Founders building technology products from zero
- Startup CTOs scaling engineering from 2 to 20
- Bootstrapped builders with revenue and customers
- Social entrepreneurs using tech for underserved markets
- Repeat founders with lessons from failure and success
What judges look for
- Revenue or user growth with clear product-market fit
- Technical moat or differentiation in a competitive market
- Team building and engineering culture creation
- Resilience through fundraising droughts or market shifts
- Evidence of customer love (NPS, retention, testimonials)
Eligibility
Universal criteria
Experience & leadership
3–5+ years in technology, mid-tier (non-CXO) roles, proven leadership and impact.
Innovation & creativity
Demonstrated problem-solving and creative solutions within your field.
Growth & mentorship
Continuous learning plus developing others through mentorship or training.
Adaptability & resilience
Proven resilience through crises or significant organizational change.
Ethics & responsibility
High ethical standards, diversity & inclusion, community and sustainability work.
Candidates
Nominees in Tech Entrepreneurship
Common questions
FAQ
My startup is pre-revenue — can I apply?
Yes if you have strong user traction or a compelling technical innovation. Revenue helps but is not the only metric.
Know someone who deserves this?
Urge them to apply or nominate someone you know
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