1. Nomination Phase:

The first stage of the selection process involves the nomination of potential candidates. The SVEF committee invites nominations from various sources, including industry professionals, venture capitalists, previous award recipients, and influential members of the Silicon Valley community. These nominations play a vital role in identifying potential candidates for the Outstanding Innovative Leader Award.

Nominees must meet certain criteria, such as having a proven track record of innovation and leadership in their industry, and must be able to demonstrate significant recognition and/or contributions to their field. This stage ensures that only the most qualified candidates are considered for the award.

Examples of notable awards and recognitions in the engineering and IT industries recognized by the award selection committee:

The IEEE Medal of Honor
The Turing Award
The Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences
Gordon Bell Prize
Charles Stark Draper Prize for Engineering
Pritzker Award for Engineering
Marconi Prize: Awarded by the Marconi Society
R&D 100 Awards

Examples of notable awards and recognitions in business management recognized by the award selection committee:

Inc. 5000 List
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies
The Stevie Awards
Barron’s World’s Best CEOs

Please note that the lists provided above are not exhaustive. We encourage nominations from individuals who have been acknowledged by esteemed institutions globally. Nominees must furnish a comprehensive list of their awards and honors, along with detailed descriptions of each award/honor received.

2.Screening and Evaluation:

After the nomination phase, the SVEF committee conducts a thorough screening and evaluation process. The committee carefully reviews the nominations and assesses the achievements, impact, and innovative contributions of each candidate. They consider factors such as entrepreneurial vision, leadership skills, business growth, impact on the industry, and overall innovation.

After the nominations have been received, the SVEF selection committee reviews the candidates and selects a shortlist of finalists. The shortlisted candidates are then invited to submit a detailed application that outlines their achievements, contributions, and impact in their respective industries. The application requires candidates to provide detailed information on their leadership experience, innovation, and the results they have achieved. This stage of the process provides the candidates with an opportunity to present their accomplishments in detail, allowing the selection committee to gain a deeper understanding of their qualifications.

Note: to submit the Application Package, click the “Submit” link provided in the application email.

3.Selection Committee:

To ensure a fair and impartial selection process, the SVEF appoints a distinguished panel of experts and leaders from various industries. This selection committee comprises successful entrepreneurs, keynote speakers from previous SVEF events, industry veterans, and renowned academicians. The committee members bring extensive experience and expertise to evaluate the nominated candidates objectively. The selection committee members can serve a maximum term limit of three years.

4.Candidate Interviews:

The shortlisted candidates go through an intensive interview process conducted by the selection committee. These interviews provide an opportunity for the committee members to delve deeper into the candidates’ achievements, challenges overcome, leadership style, and their vision for the future. The committee looks for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and have made a significant impact in their respective fields.

5.Deliberation and Selection:

Following the interviews, the selection committee engages in thorough deliberations to assess each candidate’s merits and contributions. The committee members discuss the candidates’ achievements, considering the broader impact of their innovations and their potential to influence the entrepreneurial landscape. The selection process involves careful examination of each candidate’s qualifications, uniqueness, and ability to inspire others.

A group of experts forms the award selection committee which evaluates each candidate based on specific criteria such as innovation, leadership, and industry impact. Their analysis helps them identify individuals who exhibit outstanding leadership qualities and have made significant contributions to their field.

The winner is chosen by the SVEF Board of Directors, who consider the recommendations of the selection committee and make the final decision based on the candidate’s achievements, contributions, and leadership qualities. The award recipient is announced and recognized at the Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs Festival, receiving the award in front of a prestigious audience of business leaders and industry experts.

6.Competitive Nature:

The competitiveness of the Outstanding Innovative Leader Award selection process stems from the pool of talented individuals who are nominated each year. Silicon Valley attracts some of the brightest minds and entrepreneurial talents from around the globe, making the competition exceptionally fierce. The selection committee faces the challenge of identifying the most outstanding candidate among a group of highly accomplished individuals, each with their own unique set of achievements and innovations. Normally, no more than 50 nominees advance to the Screening and Evaluation stage.

7.Confidentiality and Integrity:

The selection process maintains strict confidentiality to ensure the integrity and fairness of the award. The committee members adhere to a code of conduct that emphasizes impartiality and confidentiality throughout the evaluation and deliberation stages. This commitment ensures that the selection process remains unbiased, transparent, and free from any external influence.

8.Announcement and Recognition:

Once the selection committee finalizes its decision, the SVEF’s organizing committee announces the recipient of the Outstanding Innovative Leader Award. The award is presented at a special ceremony during the festival, where the chosen leader is celebrated for their exceptional accomplishments, visionary leadership, and significant impact on the entrepreneurial community.

revision: 12/05/2019