It’s been a year of challenges as Ottawa’s entrepreneurs and business leaders find ways to navigate a tumultuous pandemic recovery and uncertain economy.
To celebrate these accomplishments, OBJ is ready to once again recognize individuals who reflect the economic diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of the local business community.
On Jan. 9, nominations will open for the 2024 Forty Under 40 awards, an annual tradition organized by the Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Board of Trade in partnership with the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management Executive MBA program.
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“It’s amazing to see that, after almost 30 years, this awards program is going strong,” said OBJ publisher Michael Curran, adding that more than 200 nominations are received each year.
“Forty Under 40 has become the most sought-after award for young entrepreneurs,” he said. “In fact, I would say that it’s getting more competitive than ever. The selection committee spends 100 hours in total reviewing and ranking all nominations. It’s really not easy to select the recipients, which speaks to the quality of young entrepreneurs in our region.”
This year will mark the 27th edition of the prestigious event, which has honoured more than 900 business leaders since its inception. The 2023 class included top executives of companies such as Calian, Kinaxis, Craft&Crew and the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.
To be eligible for Forty Under 40, nominees must:
- Be 39 years or younger on June 30, 2024;
- Spend the majority of their work time in Ottawa-Gatineau;
- Be an owner, executive, manager, professional or person with significant business decision-making authority.
Preference is given to nominees who work in the private sector, however, nominees can also work for a public or non-profit organization. In all cases, nominees will be assessed on business-related achievements that advance the goals and objectives of their organization.
Nominations can be submitted until March 24. Recipients will be named in April and honoured at a gala on June 21 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy.
Find more information on the nomination process here.