ET Startup Awards: Celebrating the spirit of enterprise

In the runup to the ET Startup Awards 2015 in August, your favourite paper is celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship with a special editorial package. Our team of specialist writers will explain the ins and outs of starting a business in India. We are inviting some of the best-known investors and startup founders from around the world to share their experiences with us. And we are organising panel discussions on the most important issues of the day in Mumbai and Bengaluru. If you have ideas or suggestions, please write to us at etsa@timesgroup.com. Join the excitement by nominating yourself if you are a startup entrepreneur or investor. You can also nominate your friends, relatives or colleagues. Application forms can be filled online at www.etstartupawards.com. Email your queries to etsaqueries@timesgroup.com. Last date for entries is June 22. ET Startup Awards 2015 are in eight categories, including one for the Startup of the Year 2015.

Here are the categories:

Startup Of The Year

The award will aim to pick a startup that has the potential to become a blue-chip corporation. The ET Startup of the Year will be characterised by breakthrough innovation, top class execution and fast-paced growth. The quality of the founding and management teams will be an important component in the decision-making.

Best Employer

The best startup employer will have demonstrated an ability to attract and retain the best talent. The characteristics of such a company can be measured by its top hires, attrition rates, compensation structure and work policies.

Top Innovator

The award will recognise innovations that launch a business or give it a big boost. It should be an original idea that is core to the business or one that provides the differentiation that sets it apart from competition.

Midas Touch Award for Best Investor

The award will recognise the most lucrative exit in the year to March 31, 2015. The decision will be made based on the volume of deals as well as the size of exit.

Bootstrap Champ

The Bootstrap champ will have demonstrated the ability to win customers and earn revenue for at least a year. It should possess the potential to scale into a large enterprise.

Women Ahead

The startup should be launched and led by a woman who competes and wins against the best in the business.

Social Enterprise

This award will recognise the startup that best embodies the ‘double bottomline’ model that combines profits and public good.

Comeback Kid

This award will celebrate failure and recognise those who have survived to tell the tale. It will be given to an entrepreneur who has bounced back to rebuild or launch a successful business.

Best on Campus

The award will showcase a startup whose impact can be judged both by the idea and the execution. The founders should be students who aim to build a commercial enterprise. There must be some level of validation either through an investor or a customer. College projects don’t qualify.