Empowering Voices:
Indian Women Entrepreneur and Corporate Awards 2024
Recognizing, acknowledging and celebrating Evolutionary Indian Women Entrepreneurs who lead the way and make a positive impact in the world
"Indian Women Entrepreneur and Corporate Awards 2024" celebrates the remarkable achievements of Indian women in the Netherlands who are leading the way in business, corporations, innovation, and social impact. Our awards aim to shine a spotlight on women who are making significant strides in their industries, contributing to their communities, and setting new standards for leadership and success.
Join us as we honour these exceptional Indian Women Entrepreneurs & Corporate leaders at the "Event Center De Rode Loper, Hoofddorp" during the Formal Launch of WEC and our Business Meet on 20 November 2024.
AWARD CATEGORIES
(Details under the eligibility criteria section)
1. Culinary Innovator Award
2. Tech Visionary Award
3. Empowerment Coach of the Year
4. Retail and E-commerce Trailblazer Award
5. Health and Well-being Champion Award
6. Event Management and Entertainment Award
7. Creative Business Excellence Award
8. Exceptional Service Sector Award
9. Outstanding Solopreneur Award
10. Social & Education Impact Award
11. Architectural Excellence & Engineering Innovation Award
12. Urban Resource Visionary Award
SPECIAL CATEGORY OF AWARD
People’s Choice Award (The Award nominees will be chosen and selected by the WEC Board. Voting will be open to WEC members to select the winner, with criteria based on popularity and influence)
Inspirational Woman Icon Award (The Award nominees will be chosen and selected by the WEC Board)
NOMINATION PROCESS
IMPORTANT Nominations Close : 6 November 2024
Interested in participating in the IWEC 2024 awards ceremony? Here's how you can get involved :
Complete the application by filling out the required details.
Submit the application via Google Form - CLICK HERE TO FILL THE NOMINATION FORM
Our esteemed panel of judges will review submissions and select the winners based on the established criteria.
Winners will be announced and awarded during the event.
How to Nominate
Nominating is simple and can be done by filling out our online nomination form.
Do you know a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to her field? Or are you an entrepreneur or a corporate professional, who deserves recognition for your work? Nominating is simple and can be done by filling out our online nomination form. You can nominate yourself or someone else.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
General Eligibility for All Categories
Business Registration or Corporate Professional :
If you have a business, the business must be registered with the KVK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce) and actively operating in the Netherlands for a minimum of 18 months. For corporate professionals, a tenure of at least 18 months in their current role is required.
Geography:
Open to Indian women residing in the Netherlands for at least 18 months. The primary business operations or job should be in the Netherlands. Both entrepreneurs and women in corporate roles are eligible.
Recent Growth and Impact:
Applicants should demonstrate significant growth, innovation, or measurable impact in their field over the past 18+ months, with this progress specifically rooted in the Netherlands. This could include new products, services, increased market share, or positive social impact.
Entrepreneurial Spirit:
Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate creativity, resilience, and the ability to overcome challenges, especially in building or scaling their business in the Dutch market. The same applies to corporate professionals making impact in their jobs showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit.
Sustainability (as an additional edge):
Nominees will gain an advantage for integrating sustainable practices into their business operations and/or corporate roles, whether through eco-friendly operations, ethical sourcing, or contributions to environmental and social well-being.
Specific Eligibility By Category
Culinary Innovator Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in the food industry.
Women engaged in home-based food businesses, catering services, restaurants, or other food-related ventures. Corporate professionals leading food innovation or managing large-scale food and beverage operations are also eligible.
Recognizes culinary creativity, business growth, and impact on the food industry or community.
Candidates should demonstrate an Impact on the local food scene in the Netherlands, supported by positive customer reviews, community involvement, or business growth.
Tech Visionary Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in technology sectors, including IT, software development, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and EdTech.
Preference to those who have demonstrated leadership in technological innovations, digital solutions, or advancements that have positively impacted their industry or community.
Empowerment Coach of the Year
Open to coaches and corporate professionals specializing in personal development, leadership training, mental health, or wellness coaching.
Applicants should demonstrate how their coaching or mentoring services have led to positive transformations for their clients, with examples of measurable outcomes (e.g., personal growth, career success), that have gained signification traction and following.
Demonstrated ability to empower and inspire clients or trainees, with tangible results.
Involvement in mentorship programs or training initiatives aimed at improving community well-being or skills development is a plus.
Retail and E-commerce Trailblazer Award
Open to both corporate women and entrepreneurs in the retail and e-commerce industries.
Must be a woman entrepreneur or executive in the trade, import, or export sector, having expanded into global markets.
Demonstrated ability to navigate global markets, create trade opportunities, innovation in retail strategies, product offerings, online platforms, or business growth in e-commerce.
Focus on driving trends, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction, whether in online or physical retail spaces.
Health and Well-being Champion Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in the health and wellness industries.
Includes medical professionals (doctors, nurses), alternative medicine practitioners, physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmaceutical executives, and leaders in health and wellness-related enterprises.
Demonstrated commitment to improving health outcomes, innovative approaches in their field, and positive community impact .
Event Management and Entertainment Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in event management, entertainment, and media industries.
Includes event planners, concert organizers, media executives, social media managers, musicians, performers, DJs, content creators, and marketing professionals.
Applicants should provide examples of innovative events they’ve organized, showcasing creativity, engagement, and impact.
The focus will be on those who have produced events that have left a lasting impression on attendees and contributed to the entertainment landscape in the Netherlands.
Creative Business Excellence Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in the creative industries, including art, fashion, beauty, design, crafts, and related fields.
Candidates should exhibit innovation, creativity, and business acumen, showing how their work has made an impact in the creative space.
Open to artists, designers, fashion entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders in creative companies.
Exceptional Service Sector Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals in event management, entertainment, and media industries.
Includes event planners, concert organizers, media executives, social media managers, musicians, performers, DJs, content creators, and marketing professionals.
Applicants should provide examples of innovative events they’ve organized, showcasing creativity, engagement, and impact.
The focus will be on those who have produced events that have left a lasting impression on attendees and contributed to the entertainment landscape in the Netherlands.
Outstanding Solopreneur Award
Open to corporate women and entrepreneurs in the service industries, such as law, finance, consultancy, marketing, HR, and other professional services.
Focus on exceptional service delivery, leadership, client impact, and business success in their respective fields.
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to meet high standards of service and drive business growth or efficiency.
Social & Education Impact Award
Open to women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals making a significant impact in social work, education industry, or community welfare.
Candidates may be engaged in NGOs, social enterprises, educational institutions, or corporate CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs that drive social change.
Emphasis on driving change, enhancing access to education, and improving social well-being.
Architectural Excellence & Engineering Innovation Award
Open to corporate professionals and entrepreneurs in architecture, engineering, infrastructure, or construction sectors.
Candidates must demonstrate innovation in engineering solutions, architectural design, infrastructure projects, or urban development.
Focus on significant contributions to large-scale projects, urban planning, or innovative engineering designs.
Urban Resource Visionary Award
Open to corporate professionals and entrepreneurs in energy, water management, spatial planning, transportation, or urban resource management sectors.
Candidates should demonstrate visionary approaches to managing resources such as water, energy, and urban planning.
Focus on creating sustainable, efficient solutions in the use and management of urban resources.
SPECIAL CATEGORY OF AWARDS
People’s Choice Award
The Award nominees will be chosen and selected by the WEC Board and winners will be determined by members of WEC.
Open to women in any sector, to all categories of women entrepreneurs on their outstanding contribution to their respective field.
No set experience limit but must have demonstrated excellence, leadership, or significant innovation in their sector.
Should have made a notable impact in their sector with public recognition or Influence. Applicant stories and achievements should resonate with the public, highlighting their journey, impact, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Voting will be open to the WEC members to select the winner, with criteria based on popularity and influence. Members will receive an email with a link to cast their vote in the first week of November 2024.
Inspirational Woman Icon Award
The Award nominees will be chosen and selected by the organizing committee which includes Board members and/or WEC Board
Open to seasoned women professionals in corporate or entrepreneurial roles who have made long-lasting, impactful contributions to their industry.
This award celebrates women who have demonstrated sustained leadership, mentorship, or innovation over an extended career.
It honors their role as a trailblazer and inspiration to others, regardless of sector.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
1.What are the IWEC 2024 Awards?
The IWEC 2024 Awards: Empowering Voices aim to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Indian women entrepreneurs and corporate professionals across various sectors in the Netherlands. The awards include multiple categories highlighting excellence, innovation, and leadership.
2. Who is eligible to participate in the IWEC Awards?
Nominees are Indian women who are either 1st or 2nd generation and have been residing in the Netherlands for at least 18 months. Additionally, eligibility extends to both entrepreneurs and corporate professionals, with businesses required to be registered with the KVK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce) or a minimum of 18 months of tenure in a current corporate role.
3. How do I apply for the IWEC 2024 Awards?
To participate, complete the application with the required details and submit it via Google Form or email. The judging panel will review submissions and select winners based on the criteria. Winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 20 November 2024 at Event Center De Rode Loper, Hoofddorp .
4. What is the deadline for submitting nominations?
The final deadline to submit nominations is 06 November 2024.
5. Can I nominate myself for an award?
Yes, self-nominations are encouraged. You may also nominate another deserving woman if she meets the eligibility criteria.
6.How many categories can I nominate myself for?
You can nominate yourself or someone else for as many categories as you find appropriate based on the nominee's achievements and relevance to each category.
7. What are the special award categories?
The two special categories are the People’s Choice Award and the Inspirational Woman Icon Award. Nominees for these awards will be selected by the WEC Board, and winners will be determined by public voting. We will be sending out an email with a link to cast the vote in the first week of November 2024.
8. Is there a fee to participate in the awards?
No, submitting a nomination is free of charge.
9. Can I edit my nomination after submission?
Yes, nominations can be edited until the submission deadline on 6 November 2024.
10. Are nominees required to attend the awards ceremony?
While attendance is not mandatory, we highly encourage nominees to attend the awards ceremony as it offers a powerful platform for networking, visibility, and connecting with inspiring women and leaders.
11. How will the winners be chosen?
A judging panel of three will review all applications and select category winners based on the provided criteria. For the People’s Choice Award winners will be determined by members . While the Inspirational Woman Icon Award will be handpicked by the Board and can be awarded to women without Indian origin too. All winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 20 November 2024.
12.What kind of supporting documents do I need to provide?
Along with the nomination, you may submit a professional bio, testimonials, media coverage, or any other relevant documents to enhance your nomination.
13. What are the key criteria that the judges will focus on?
Judges will assess nominees based on the following factors:
Impact: Influence or contributions in their industry or community
Innovation: New ideas or methods introduced
Leadership: Ability to lead, mentor, or inspire others
Growth: Measurable success in business or personal development
Sustainability: Practices demonstrating social responsibility or environmental commitment
Metrics: Ability of a candidate to illustrate their journey using metrics
14. What are the benefits of participating in the IWEC 2024 Awards?
By participating, you can:
Gain visibility and recognition in the Netherlands and beyond
Connect with a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, mentors, and leaders
Boost your brand, attracting new clients, partners, and investors
Experience personal and professional growth by reflecting on and sharing your success
Inspire other women entrepreneurs through your journey and achievements
15. What should I do if I can’t find my category?
You can email us at info@wec-org.com, and we’ll assist you in selecting the most suitable category for you.
For additional queries, please contact us at info@wec-org.com.