Nominate Your Organization for an InBIA Award
Each year, the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) recognizes business incubators and entrepreneurship centers with proven track records of excellence. These organizations and the outstanding companies they serve are the foundation for regional economic growth in communities around the world. InBIA’s awards celebrate the heart of business incubation and entrepreneurial economic development organizations. Urban or rural, specialized, technology or mixed-use, we’re looking for high impact entrepreneurship programs that showcase excellence in sustainability growing companies that drive economic growth.
Each year, the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA) recognizes business incubators and entrepreneurship centers with proven track records of excellence. These organizations and the outstanding companies they serve are the foundation for regional economic growth in communities around the world. InBIA’s awards celebrate the heart of business incubation and entrepreneurial economic development organizations. Urban or rural, specialized, technology or mixed-use, we’re looking for high impact entrepreneurship programs that showcase excellence in sustainability growing companies that drive economic growth.
Award Categories:
The InBIA ESO of the Year Awards honor Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) that demonstrate best-in-class practices in advancing entrepreneurship and innovation. These programs excel in serving their clients, strengthening their communities, and achieving measurable impact.
Organizations may be recognized in one of the following categories:
- Technology/Science – Supporting high-tech, research-driven, and innovation-based ventures.
- Mixed-Use – Serving a diverse range of industries and entrepreneurs under one roof.
- Sector-Focused – Concentrating on a specific industry such as food, life sciences, arts, or other specialized sectors.
- Rural – Operating in communities with populations under 50,000 within a 50-mile radius.
The InBIA Excellence in Communications Award recognizes ESOs that excel in telling their story and showcasing their impact. This award highlights outstanding communications, marketing, and storytelling initiatives that creatively convey an organization’s mission, achievements, and value to the entrepreneurship community.
Eligible initiatives include annual or economic impact reports, brochures, infographics, website redesigns, blog, vlog, or podcast series, social media campaigns, media kits, mobile apps, and other innovative projects that elevate the visibility and influence of ESOs.
The InBIA Soft Landings Award honors ESOs that excel in helping international companies successfully enter and thrive in new markets and is open only to InBIA Soft Landings designees. Awardees demonstrate exceptional resources, programs, and expertise tailored to the unique needs of foreign or non-domestic businesses expanding into their regions.
From market entry guidance and mentorship to workspace, networking, and cultural integration, these ESOs provide comprehensive support that enables global entrepreneurs to succeed.
The InBIA Outstanding Client Award celebrates the remarkable entrepreneurs supported by ESOs. This award provides organizations with the opportunity to showcase their clients’ achievements to the broader entrepreneurship community and the public, highlighting the impact of their support programs.
The InBIA Most Innovative Award recognizes ESOs that demonstrate creativity and forward-thinking in supporting the small businesses they serve. Whether through evolving existing services or launching entirely new initiatives, awardees showcase “outside-the-box” thinking and deliver high-impact, measurable results.
In honor of Julius Morgan, co-founder of the National Business Incubation Association (now InBIA), the Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes ESOs that excel in creating inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems.
This award celebrates programs and initiatives that actively support diverse entrepreneurs, foster equitable opportunities, and cultivate environments where all innovators can thrive.
Past Winners:
ESO of the Year – Technology/Science |
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ESO of the Year – Mixed-Use |
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ESO of the Year – Sector-Focused |
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ESO of the Year – Rural |
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Excellence in Communications |
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Soft Landings |
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Outstanding Client |
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Most Innovative |
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Julius Morgan Diversity & Inclusion |
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Dinah Adkins Entrepreneur Center of the Year |
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Randall M. Whaley Entrepreneurship Center of the Year |
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Learn With Us
Training
InBIA offers the premier credential for ESO staff members in the Entrepreneurship Center Management certificate, as well as other field-specific professional development courses.
Events
Hundreds of entrepreneur support and ecosystem-building professionals gather to exchange strategies and ideas each year through InBIA’s two flagship events: the International Conference on Business Incubation (ICBI) and the Ecosystem Builders (e.Builders) Forum.
