Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Highlighting and celebrating women business owners who are doing big things in our region.
Nominate yourself or someone else!
Nominations close on Aug. 16, 2026.
The award categories are:
Scroll down to learn more about the award categories and selection process.
Woman Health Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by EOA
Criteria
The nominee must be the majority owner of a currently operating business registered and based in Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati or Greater Dayton, OH. She must be an active owner with managerial, operational and financial oversight.
For this category, the nominee's business must be in a health or health tech field.
In addition the following will be considered:
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Overall revenue
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Overall impact on customers and community
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Team size
Nominate yourself or someone else!
Nominations close on Aug. 16, 2026.
Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by Square 1
Criteria
The nominee must be the majority owner of a currently operating business registered and based in Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati or Greater Dayton, OH. She must be an active owner with managerial, operational and financial oversight.
For this category, the business owner must be 25 years old or younger.
In addition, the following will be considered:
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Overall revenue
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Overall impact on customers and community
-
Team size
Nominate yourself or someone else!
Nominations close on Aug. 16, 2026.
Social Impact Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by Forcht Bank
Criteria
The nominee must be the majority owner of a currently operating business registered and based in Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati or Greater Dayton, OH. She must be an active owner with managerial, operational and financial oversight.
For this category, the nominee's business must be a for-profit business or non-profit organization that has given back significantly to the community or to a specific population.
In addition, the following will be considered:
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Overall impact on customers and community
Nominate yourself or someone else!
Nominations close on Aug. 16, 2026.
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by Central Bank & Trust
Criteria
The nominee must be the majority owner of a currently operating business registered and based in Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati or Greater Dayton, OH. She must be an active owner with managerial, operational and financial oversight.
In addition, the following will be considered:
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Overall revenue
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Overall impact on customers and community
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Nominee's community involvement
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Nominee's previous awards
Nominate yourself or someone else!
Nominations close on Aug. 16, 2026.
Woman Veteran Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Sponsored by DAV's Patriot Boot Camp
Criteria
The nominee must be the majority owner of a currently operating business registered and based in Northern Kentucky, Greater Cincinnati or Greater Dayton, OH. She must be an active owner with managerial, operational and financial oversight.
For this category, the nominee must be an honorably discharged veteran of the US Armed Forces.
In addition, the following will be considered:
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Revenue
-
Team size
-
Impact on customers and community
Nominate yourself or someone else!
Nominations close on Aug. 16, 2026.
Selection Process
Nominations
Anyone can nominate someone and we encourage women to nominate themselves!
Criteria
Each award category has its own criteria, outlined above.
Process
Once we receive a nomination, we will contact the nominee to get more information on her business, such as length of time in business, revenue, team size, etc. This information will be given to the Selection Committee to use when making their decisions.
Selection Committee
Our Selection Committee reviews all nominations and selects 3 finalists and 1 winner for each category.
Timeline
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August 16: Nominations close
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August 24: Finalists are announced
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September 10: Awards are presented at Flight Night, our annual celebration of women entrepreneurs.
Nominate an amazing woman today!
Nominate a Woman Business Owner
To nominate yourself or another woman business owner, please fill out the form below.
We will reach out to the nominee for additional information.