Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026: Your Moment to Shine
Igniting the Inspired: Celebrating India’s Growth-Driven Entrepreneurs
India’s entrepreneurial landscape is evolving steadily. Across cities and emerging markets, founders are building disciplined businesses, creating employment opportunities, and bolstering local economies. The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 (EEA 2026) by deAsra celebrates these builder-entrepreneurs who are turning ideas into growing, sustainable businesses.
Under the theme “Igniting the Inspired,” EEA 2026 recognises entrepreneurs who demonstrate consistent growth, measurable impact, and responsible scaling. The awards are not just about recognition; they are about credibility, visibility, and strengthening India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Like last year, we are back again!
The Vision Behind Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026
Entrepreneurship is not only about big headlines or rapid expansion. It is about steady progress, disciplined growth, and long-term sustainability.
EEA 2026 shines a spotlight on entrepreneurs who are:
- Growing their annual sales
- Creating employment opportunities
- Building businesses that last
- Contributing meaningfully to India’s economic progress
By celebrating such journeys, the platform reinforces the importance of small and nano enterprises in nation-building.
Who Can Apply?
EEA 2026 invites entrepreneurs from across India who meet specific growth and impact criteria. The awards are structured into three focused categories — Dream50, Dream100, and Young Entrepreneur — each aligned with measurable business milestones.
Applicants must be based in India and actively operating their businesses.
Award Categories & Eligibility Criteria
Dream50 Category
The Dream50 category recognises businesses that are steadily progressing toward or have crossed the ₹50 lakh revenue milestone.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Businesses on track to reach ₹50 lakhs annual sales in the next 2 years, OR that have crossed ₹50 lakhs in FY 2025–26
- Must show steady/consistent growth
- Must have created at least 2 jobs (excluding the founder)
- Must be based in India
This category celebrates entrepreneurs who are building disciplined growth and creating employment while scaling toward a strong financial benchmark.
Dream100 Category
The Dream100 category honours businesses scaling toward or achieving the ₹1 crore milestone.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Businesses on track to reach ₹1 crore annual sales in the next 2 years, OR businesses that have crossed ₹1 crore and have annual sales of up to ₹1.5 crore in FY 2025–26
- Must demonstrate steady/consistent growth
- Must have created at least 2 jobs (excluding the founder)
- Must be based in India
Dream100 recognises entrepreneurs who are expanding responsibly, maintaining consistent growth and generating employment.
Young Entrepreneur Category
This category recognises early leadership and strong growth potential.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Age 25 years or below
- From India
- Strong business idea or early growth with clear potential
The Young Entrepreneur category reinforces that age is not a barrier to leadership. When young founders demonstrate initiative and clarity of vision, they contribute significantly to the future of enterprise.
Exciting Rewards Await!
Recognition at Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 goes beyond a title. It provides tangible rewards, visibility, and ecosystem credibility.
Dream50 (2 Awardees)
- On the Path to ₹50 Lakhs
Entrepreneurs with the potential to reach ₹50 lakhs annual sales in the next 2 years, with steady growth and at least 2 jobs created.
- Crossed ₹50 Lakhs
Entrepreneurs who crossed ₹50 lakhs in annual sales in FY 2025–26, with consistent growth and at least 2 jobs created.
Dream100 (2 Awardees)
- On the Path to ₹1 Crore
Entrepreneurs with the potential to reach ₹1 crore annual sales in the next 2 years, with steady growth and job creation.
- Crossed ₹1 Crore
Entrepreneurs who crossed ₹1 crore annual sales in FY 2025–26, with annual sales of up to ₹1.5 crore, and consistent growth and job creation.
Young Entrepreneur (2 Awardees)
Entrepreneurs aged 25 years or below, recognised for early leadership, initiative, and strong growth potential.
Across categories, awardees receive:
- Cash recognition (as per category)
- National visibility through deAsra’s platforms
- Recognition at a prestigious awards ceremony
- Enhanced credibility within India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
The Application & Evaluation Process
The EEA 2026 application process is structured and merit-based to ensure fairness and transparency.
Step 1: Online Application
Entrepreneurs submit detailed business information, including revenue milestones, growth trajectory, employment details, and achievements.
Step 2: Documentation & Verification
Applicants provide the necessary documentation to validate annual sales and operational credibility.
Step 3: Structured Evaluation
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Revenue growth consistency
- Job creation (minimum 2 jobs excluding the founder for Dream categories)
- Business sustainability
- Leadership strength
- Growth potential
Step 4: Jury Review
Shortlisted candidates are reviewed by an independent jury panel to ensure merit-driven recognition.
The Awards Ceremony
The Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony will be held on: 4th April 2026
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Auditorium, Persistent Systems Ltd., Hinjewadi, Pune
The event will bring together entrepreneurs, ecosystem leaders, mentors, and industry stakeholders to celebrate disciplined growth, resilience, and entrepreneurial excellence.
India’s economic strength lies in businesses that grow steadily, generate employment, and build lasting value. Entrepreneur Excellence Awards 2026 celebrates these journeys — entrepreneurs who are crossing milestones, inspiring communities, and shaping tomorrow’s economy through consistent and responsible enterprise.
FAQs
1. Who is eligible for the Dream50 category?
Businesses based in India that are on track to reach ₹50 lakhs annual sales in the next 2 years, or have crossed ₹50 lakhs in FY 2025–26, with steady growth and at least 2 jobs created (excluding the founder).
2. Who can apply for Dream100?
Businesses based in India that are on track to reach ₹1 crore annual sales in the next 2 years, or have crossed ₹1 crore (up to ₹1.5 crore annual sales in FY 2025–26), with steady growth and at least 2 jobs created (excluding the founder).
3. What are the eligibility criteria for the Young Entrepreneur category?
Applicants must be 25 years or below, from India, and demonstrate a strong business idea or early growth with clear potential.
4. Is job creation mandatory?
Yes. For Dream50 and Dream100 categories, at least 2 jobs must have been created, excluding the founder.
5. Can businesses from any industry apply?
Yes, entrepreneurs from all sectors are eligible to apply, provided they meet the specified criteria.
6. How are awardees selected?
Applications go through a structured evaluation followed by a jury review, based on growth consistency, employment generation, sustainability, and leadership.
7. Where will the awards ceremony take place?
The ceremony will be held on 4th April 2026 at the Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Auditorium, Persistent Systems Ltd., Hinjewadi, Pune.