Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders

Who can apply for the Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders Program?

The competition is open to women who own or are top managers in sustainable and successful businesses and contribute significantly to driving the business forward. Aspiring participants should meet the following eligibility criteria.

• The participant must be either a business founder, or an individual entrepreneur, or a shareholder holding at least 20% of the business, or a C-suite executive (CEO, CFO, board member, etc.), and contribute significantly to the growth of her business by helping it transform into a competitive market player or an industry leader.
• The participant must bear primary responsibility for developing her company’s business over at least the last two years and play a major role in its management.
• Her company must have been in the market for at least two years and have an annual turnover of over RUB 30 million.
• A company can nominate only one participant, apart from the founders.
• A participant cannot take part in the competition for more than two years in a row.
• The last three years’ winners are not eligible for nomination.

Why apply?

The Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders Program offers more than just public recognition of the accomplishments and leadership talents of successful women.

Throughout the process — from selection to the awards ceremony — participants can enjoy unique opportunities, such as:

• Gaining new domestic and international business contacts
• Promoting their business in the media
• Attending workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions
• Participating in PR and other marketing activities as part of the competition
• Building team spirit in their workplace
• Improving their company’s image and its perception by customers, suppliers and partners
• Getting motivated and inspired to drive their business and career forward
• This aims to empower women entrepreneurs to pursue more ambitious goals and expand their business.

How can I apply?

To participate, fill in the online registration form on the B1 website or print it off, fill it in by hand and mail it to us.

The entry form can be submitted by any company, agency or organization or any person who knows the nominee (e.g., a company employee, bank officer, legal adviser, PR manager or spouse) or by the entrepreneur herself.

All information provided in the entry form is confidential and will only be shared with the panel of independent judges.

How are the winners selected?

Winners of Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders are selected by a jury of successful business people, investors, independent experts and prominent members of the business and academic community.

Participants will be judged on their personal qualities (entrepreneurial spirit, leadership skills and creativity) and business performance (corporate governance, financial results, job creation impact and complexity of doing business).

Nominees are shortlisted based on the information provided in their registration forms.

When will the winners be announced?

The annual Women Entrepreneurs and Leaders awards ceremony, at which winners in each category are announced, is held in Moscow in the spring.