And the Winner Is… 12 Awards For Startups in 2025

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December 17, 2024

Looking for a simple, straightforward resolution for your startup in the coming year? Here’s an idea: hit the awards circuit.

Recognition from a reputable third party is a great way to build trust with potential clients – a vital goal for any startup – in part thanks to the credibility boost that comes with being included on lists of honorees like these. As a bonus, a win can be a nice jolt for the morale of your team.

Here are 12 worthwhile options to consider. Please note that 2025 application information for some of these awards has not yet been finalized (we’ve included 2024 deadlines and costs for reference). We’ll continue to update this post as they come online.

Fourth Revolution Awards

Calling all Chicago-area manufacturing startups! These awards celebrate regional companies across five categories: small and medium-sized manufacturer of the year, community empowerment, excellence in engineering, innovation of the year, and rising stars.

  • Deadline: January 19, 2025
  • Cost: Free
  • Propllr client NanoGraf won in the innovation category in 2024
  • Awards FAQs

The Stevie Awards

A broad program, the Stevies recognize companies and individuals who make a demonstrable difference in their respective industries – and there are more than 200 categories of products, services, campaigns, and organizations to choose from.

Business Intelligence Group “Artificial Intelligence Excellence”

Is your startup on the cutting edge of AI? This award celebrates advances in AI that introduce new solutions to solve modern problems and advance society as a whole. Awards are given across 46 major application types and 36 industries.

  • Deadline: February 7, 2025
  • Cost: $849
  • Propllr client Saggezza (now Apexon) took home a trophy in 2021
  • Awards FAQs

Inc. “Best Workplaces”

Come one, come all – remote, hybrid, or in-person – to this celebration of the workplaces that help employees thrive. Judges are looking for strong benefits, high employee satisfaction, and a track record of employee growth and advancement at all levels. Keep in mind that employee surveys are part of the application.

Digiday Technology Awards

Companies focusing on technology that enables innovation in media and marketing are good candidates for this program. It’s worth noting that nominations have historically been in a case study format, so start brainstorming some customer stories that demonstrate your strengths.

The Anthem Awards

Not every award is focused on tech and innovation – this program highlights purpose- and mission-driven work by recognizing companies that are making their mark in seven different social impact categories.

  • Deadline: TBA (generally spring)
  • Cost: TBA
  • Propllr client TXI was a silver winner in 2022
  • Awards FAQs

Inc. 5000

It may sound like a NASCAR race, but it’s really a list of the nation’s fastest-growing companies over the last three years, as measured by revenue. (Note that this means you’ll have to share revenue numbers to be considered.) An application here also gets your firm consideration for Inc. Regionals – localized versions of the national fastest-growing list.

  • Deadline: Mid-2025 (TBA)
  • Cost: TBA ($395 in 2024)
  • Propllr client Beam made the list in 2022
  • Awards FAQs

Fast Company “Best Workplaces for Innovators”

Does your culture foster innovation and creativity? This award singles out companies with environments that make it easier to facilitate product development, process improvement, or new lines of business.

  • Deadline: Mid-2025 (TBA)
  • Cost: TBA ($995 in 2024)
  • Propllr client TXI was a winner in 2023
  • Awards FAQs

Fast Company “Brands That Matter”

From massive multinationals to small, scrappy startups just making a name for themselves, this award focuses on purpose-driven brands that use innovation, dynamism, and uniqueness to connect with fans and customers.

  • Deadline: TBA
  • Cost: TBA ($695 – $895 in 2024)
  • Awards FAQs

Inc. “Best in Business”

Categorized by revenue, headcount, and growth stage, the winners of this award are companies that have made outsized impacts in their communities, industries, or throughout wider society.

Fast Company “Next Big Things in Tech”

If your startup is working on breakthroughs that capitalize on emerging technologies or influential trends, Fast Company wants to know about it. Judges here tend to look for ingenuity, early traction, and potential for increased impact over the coming years.

  • Deadline: TBA (usually June)
  • Cost: TBA ($495 – $695 in 2024)
  • Propllr client Mycocycle took home a prize in the building and real estate category in 2024
  • Awards FAQs

Consulting Magazine Women Leaders in Consulting

Honors women leaders in the consulting space across a range of categories including client service, mentorship, and DEI. Judges look for quantifiable metrics, like dollars saved or revenue generated, to back up the winning nominations.

  • Deadline: TBA (typically July)
  • Cost: Free
  • Gayle Silverman, Principal Product Strategist at Propllr client TXI, won in 2023
  • Awards FAQs

Get The Recognition You Deserve

Applying for any of these awards will take time, effort, and in some cases money. But the payoff is worth it. After all, you won’t just be filling the trophy case – you’ll be building trust with future customers by demonstrating your:

  • Credibility, through third-party validation of your great work
  • Authority, by being acknowledged as a leader in your field
  • Network, by being included among a group of other high-achieving startups
  • Momentum, by highlighting your company’s future focus and forward motion 

In other words, the little award logo on your website is nice. But the real prize will be how a win makes you stand out from the competition and catches the eye of potential clients.

So go for the gold in 2025! And as you wade into the application process, be sure to check out our tips on writing a good award nomination for a little inspiration. Or get in touch to chat about how we can help make awards part of your PR strategy for 2025.
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