For early stage businesses from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Entrants need to show evidence of strong performance with an established vision for growth and future success. For early-stage businesses that are performing and exceeding initial growth targets. They have a business idea with enormous potential and significant offering to its target market; showing an understanding of their competitors, customers and the markets in which they operate. They have set the foundations for future success and have established a vision for growth in terms of employees, turnover and overall expansion. New ventures have significant potential in influencing economic growth, particularly in developing economies. We want to celebrate those new businesses which, through their efforts, are contributing to the economic development of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

• Be based in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Established no earlier than 2014 (Cannot exceed 3 years of operation)
• No restrictions on the industry in which it operates

• Value Proposition
• What makes your start-up relevant, how does it solve an actual problem for your target market? 
• Leadership
• Who is your team, and how will they contribute to your new business’ success?
• Significant growth and/or expansion with sustainability potential
• Revenue growth o Market penetration
• Financial Sustainability
• Can you maintain your current operations into the future?

Sarajevo Business Bridge Award 2017 – New Business of the year
HUB387 (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

This award is for businesses operating within the SEE Region that have shown significant growth in their respective fields with an emphasis on creating social impact. For businesses that have shown significant growth in their respective fields, without disregarding the need for creating social impact. The business will be able to demonstrate overall achievement with a clear vision for the future in terms of sustainable growth. Recognizing outstanding result in sales, profit, market share, employees or expansion within the last year, while having a positive impact within the community of its operations.

• Be based in one of the following countries: SEE Region
• Established prior to 2014 (operational for more than 3 years)

• Innovative (products, services, processes)
• Significant growth and/or expansion with sustainability potential
• Revenue growth
• Market penetration
• Strong business results
• Major client wins
• Social impact

Sarajevo Business Bridge Award 2017 – Business of the year
HIFA Group (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

This award is open to individuals who have shown true leadership in their sector. They are creative and forward-thinking, creating new meaning within the industry while contributing to sustainable growth. For individuals who maintain a management position in an established business and are leaders in their sector. They are multi-taskers, leading, steering and developing the regional professional community, particularly within their given industry, contributing through the creation of new meaning. They should be creative and forward-thinking, inspiring others to be innovative and contribute to the economic development of their company in terms of establishing sustained levels of growth and financial performance

• Be based in one of the following countries: SEE Region
• Maintain a management position for the past twelve months (at least middle/high management)
• Must be responsible for the strategic and tactical components of their organization

• Leadership values and abilities: Process and procedures of leadership
• Contribution towards success and sustainability
• Social Impact and ethical approach to business
• Testimonials/Motivational Statement

Sarajevo Business Bridge Award 2017 – Entrepreneur of the year
Mr. Gazmend Haxhia (Albania)

Youth unemployment is a global issue threatening multiple economies, particularly those in the SEE Region. This award recognizes businesses that have actively worked towards employing youth and providing them with career opportunities. Youth unemployment is staggeringly low in the SEE Region, contributing to the Youth Brain Drain. The award for Youth Employer of the Year is a distinction given to a company demonstrating outstanding achievement in hiring youth and providing them with career opportunities.

• Be based in one of the following countries: SEE Region
• Operating for a minimum of 3 years
• Have a significant youth employee base aged: 18 – 35

• Business profile
• Youth employment record
• Career opportunities for youth
• Performance in HR

Sarajevo Business Bridge Award 2017 – Youth employer of the year
MSAN Group

This award is for businesses operating within the SEE Region that have demonstrated initiative and taken responsibility in creating social impact. The business will be able to show overall achievement with a clear vision for the future in terms of sustainable growth, as well as having a positive impact within the community of its operations.

• Be based in one of the following countries: SEE Region
• Have a significant social impact

• Business profile
• Social responsibility activities
• Community initiatives

Sarajevo Business Bridge Award 2017 – Social impact Award
Hastor Foundation

This award is for individuals or businesses that have shown a significant degree of innovation and/or creative thinking, operating within the SEE Region. The innovation can be seen through the development of new methodologies, approaches, products or services which have met the needs of end-users and solved an existing problem in a new way.

• Be based in one of the following countries: SEE Region
• Have a significant innovation level

• Business profile
• Innovation
• Sustainability
• Design and quality

Sarajevo Business Bridge Award 2017 – Innovator of the Year
Gorenje Group