Get All Access for $5/mo

Nominations Are Open For The Inaugural Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 On March 29 Nominations are now open for the inaugural Women SME Leaders Awards 2022, the first initiative of its kind to recognize and further empower women-owned and run SMEs across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, staged by Mastercard and Entrepreneur Middle East.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Nominations are now open for the inaugural Women SME Leaders Awards 2022, the first initiative of its kind to recognize and further empower women-owned and run SMEs across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, staged by Mastercard and Entrepreneur Middle East.

The winners will be announced during a virtual awards ceremony on March 29, 2022 at 2pm (UAE).

Nominations for the Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 can be submitted HERE by March 9, 2022. Those interested in attending the virtual event can register HERE.

All female individuals and/or businesses who have their headquarters/offices in the MEA region or offer their services to these markets can submit their nominations for one or more of the 22 awards. Please note that individuals may win in more than one category.

"At Mastercard, we believe that women-owned businesses are the catalyst for economic growth, improving the lives of everyone, everywhere," says Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA for Mastercard. "The passion that women SME owners display is unmatched and they raise the bar for everyone. That is why Mastercard, along with Entrepreneur Middle East, has curated the Women SME Leaders Awards. This is to recognize and celebrate the women entrepreneurs in the Middle East and Africa region."

Related: Welcome To A New Era: Khalid Elgibali, Division President – MENA, Mastercard

Small enterprises in trading and with a turnover of less than AED50 million and employing between six to 50 people are all invited to participate.

Shortlisted companies will be vetted by the Entrepreneur Middle East team and then passed onto the judging committee that will be chaired by Mastercard.

Following the independent evaluation of the shortlisted candidates by each of the judges, the winners will be decided by a vote. The Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 judging committee consists of Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President, Market Development, EEMEA for Mastercard; Mona Zulficar, Chairperson of EFG Hermes Holding; Nejoud Al Mulaik, Director of Fintech Saudi and Tamara Pupic, Managing Editor of Entrepreneur Middle East.

The awards are being presented in 22 categories, including the following:
1. The Designer
2. The Logistician
3. The F&B Leader
4. The Retailer
5. The Educator
6. The Real Estate Leader
7. The Health Custodian
8. The Hotelier
9. The Techie
10. The Professional Services Leader
11. The Investor
12. The Fashion And Beauty Leader
13. The Media Leader
14. The Executive
15. The Sports Leader
16. The Artist
17. The Leader Of Tomorrow
18. The Humanitarian
19. The Visionary
20. The Change Maker
21. Home-Based Business Of The Year
22. The Momtrepreneur of the Year

For more information about each of the 22 nomination categories, please follow this link.

Nominations for each of the Women SME Leaders Awards 2022 can be submitted through a link here by March 9, 2022, while the official website lists all of the necessary guidelines for the process.

Those interested in attending the virtual event can register HERE. For any enquires relating to the Women SME Leaders Awards 2022, please email SMEleaders@bncpublishing.net.

Related: Mastercard and Female Fusion To Host Varied Activities For Women Entrepreneurs At Expo 2020 Dubai

Side Hustle

The Side Hustle He Started in His College Apartment Turned Into a $70,000-a-Month Income Stream — Then Earned Nearly $2 Million Last Year

Kyle Morrand and his college roommates loved playing retro video games — and the pastime would help launch his career.

Business Solutions

5 Ways ChatGPT Can Help Your Business

ChatGPT has taken the world by storm. Discover how it can streamline production for your business.

Business News

Elon Musk's Proposed $56 Billion Pay Package Is 'Obviously Not About the Money,' Writes Tesla Chair

Tesla's chairperson of the board of directors sent a letter to Tesla shareholders, warning them that the company could lose Elon's attention if they don't approve his pay package.

Women Entrepreneur®

Entrepreneur Middle East's Achieving Women 2022: Abbey Dean, Co-Founder, Bliss Flower Boutique

The New Zealand native has been running the homegrown UAE brand Bliss since 2008, when Dean's decision to become an entrepreneur was sparked by her love and passion for all things floral.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

Why Most People Fail at Giving Presentations — and How to Make Your Next One Successful

Here's what I learned guest lecturing at Stanford: You can become a better presenter by following the "Two Points per Hour Rule."