Company/Organization Categories
Recognizing the achievements of entire organizations (for-profit or nonprofit, large, medium, or small, public or private). Nominations that won in the 2026 ABAs may be resubmitted for consideration in the 2027 ABAs. If they have been updated with recent achievements, they may be submitted to the same categories in which they won. If they have not been updated, they must be submitted to categories different from those in which they won.
Information to be submitted online for entries in these categories in the 2027 competition include
1. Written answers to the following questions, describing the nominated organization’s achievements since January 1 2025, OR a video of up to five (5) minutes in length that answers all of the same questions:
a. Briefly describe the nominated organization - its purpose, history, and operations (up to 1,500 characters). Required
b. Outline the organization’s achievements since the beginning of 2025 that you wish to bring to the judges’ attention (up to 1,900 characters). Required
c. Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible, compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to your past performance (up to 1,900 characters). Required
d. Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination. At the very least, provide a link to your organization’s homepage. (up to 1,500 characters). Optional
2. Optional (but highly recommended), add to your entry up to 10 webpage links and up to 10 document uploads to support your case to the judges. These might be press articles, press releases, videos, or images, for example.
Company of the Year (may be for-profit or nonprofit, public or private, large or small).
- Small (≤ 50 employees and revenue ≤ $10 million)
- Medium-size (≤ 250 employees and revenue ≤ $50 million)
- Large (> 250 employees and revenue > $50 million)
B01. Advertising, Marketing, & Public Relations
B02. Aerospace & Defense
B03. Agriculture & Agritech
B04. Apparel, Beauty & Fashion
B05. Automotive & Transport Equipment
B06. Banking
B07. Biotechnology
B08. Business & Professional Services
B09. Chemicals
B10. Computer Hardware
B11. Computer Services
B12. Computer Software
B13. Conglomerates
B14. Consumer Products - Durables
B15. Consumer Products - Non-Durables
B16. Consumer Services
B17. Cybersecurity
B18. Diversified Services
B19. E-commerce
B20. Education & EdTech
B21. Electronics
B22. Energy
B23. Environmental Services / CleanTech
B24. Financial Services
B25. Food & Beverage
B26. Gaming & Esports
B27. Health Products & Services
B28. Health Providers
B29. Hospitality & Leisure
B30. Human Resources & HR Technology (New for 2027)
B31. Insurance
B32. Internet/New Media
B33. Legal
B34. Logistics & Supply Chain
B35. Manufacturing
B36. Materials & Construction
B37. Media & Entertainment
B38. Metals & Mining
B39. Nonprofit or Government Organizations
B40. Pharmaceuticals
B41. Real Estate
B42. Retail
B43. Telecommunications
B44. Transportation
B45. Utilities
B46. Venture Capital & Private Equity
B47. Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year (recognizing organizations’ contributions to society)
a. At Organizations With Up to 100 Employees
b. At Organizations With Up to 2,500 Employees
c. At Organizations With 2,500 or More Employees
B48. Energy Industry Innovation of the Year: This category recognizes singular innovations in energy-related technology, production, conservation, storage or delivery, by an organization or an individual in the USA, since January 1, 2025. There is no entry fee for this category.
B49. Fastest-Growing Company of the Year (recognizing outstanding revenue growth since the beginning of 2025 over 2023)
a. Up to 100 Employees
b. Up to 2,500 Employees
c. 2,500 or More Employees
B50. Fastest-Growing Tech Company of the Year (recognizing outstanding revenue growth since the beginning of 2025 over 2023)
a. Up to 100 Employees
b. Up to 2,500 Employees
c. 2,500 or More Employees
B51. Innovation of the Year (recognizing singular innovations in business model, product and/or marketing, sales, manufacturing, management, etc., by an organization or an individual)
a. Business Product Industries
b. Business Service Industries
c. Consumer Product Industries
d. Consumer Service Industries
B52. Most Innovative Company of the Year (recognizing overall achievement in product and/or marketing, sales, manufacturing, management, etc. innovation)
a. Up to 100 Employees
b. Up to 2,500 Employees
c. More Than 2,500 Employees
B53. Most Innovative Tech Company of the Year (recognizing overall achievement in product and/or marketing, sales, manufacturing, management, etc. innovation)
a. Up to 100 Employees
b. Up to 2,500 Employees
c. More Than 2,500 Employees
B54. Technical Innovation of the Year (recognizing singular innovations in technology, new products, etc., by an organization or an individual)
a. At Organizations With Up to 100 Employees
b. At Organizations With Up to 1,000 Employees
c. At Organizations With 1,000 or More Employees
B55. Minority-Owned Business of the Year: This category will recognize the achievements since January 1, 2025 of businesses in the USA that are majority owned by members of an ethnic minority.
B56. Startup of the Year. For companies that began operations since January 1, 2024. Your nomination should describe the company’s achievements since the beginning of 2025, though. There are no entry fees for the Startup of the Year categories
a. Business Product Industries
b. Business Service Industries
c. Consumer Product Industries
d. Consumer Service Industries
B57. Student-Run Business of the Year: This category will recognize the achievements since January 1, 2025 of businesses run by current undergraduate university students in the USA. This is not a category for business plans. It’s intended to recognize operating, functional businesses that are selling products and services to actual customers. There is no entry fee for this category.
B58. Tech Startup of the Year. For companies that began operations since January 1, 2024. Your nomination should describe the company’s achievements since the beginning of 2025, though. There is no entry fee for this category
a. Hardware/Peripherals
b. Services
c. Software
B59. Veteran-Owned Business of the Year: This category will recognize the achievements since January 1, 2025 of businesses in the USA that are owned by veterans of the US Armed Forces.