Enter
Nominations to the 2024 SSEAs closed on 1st February 2024.
The Security & Safety Entrepreneur Awards (SSEAs) are open to entrepreneurs in both start-ups and established businesses, working in any area of security and safety, in any sector operating in the United Kingdom. We take a wide definition of ‘security’ to include any type of protection against any type of intended threat and ‘safety’ to include protection against any other type of threat, involving any type of asset be that people, property, organisations, products/processes/services, or places.
Nominations to the SSEAs are now closed.
The categories and criteria for the SSEAs are listed below.
Please click on the categories in the list below to read more about their criteria.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year (aged 30 and under)
sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals
To win the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award (aged 30 and under), nominees should demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial skills, be that innovation, leadership, and/or impact in their respective fields. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Business achievements: showing a successful track record of launching and growing their businesses; evidence of revenue growth, customer acquisition, and solid business model.
- Innovation: demonstrating a creative and original approach to their business, industry, or market; unique business models/approaches; using disruptive technologies.
- Leadership: displaying strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire teams; managing risk and making difficult decisions; evidence of effective communication, strategic thinking, and a clear vision for the future.
- Social Impact and Sustainability: demonstrating a positive impact; showing evidence of corporate social responsibility, sustainable practices, and contributions to social or environmental causes; recognition from awards/accolades.
- Personal qualities: possessing personal qualities such as business acumen, resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks; overcoming challenges, adapting to change, and learning from failures.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the key milestones, challenges faced, and lessons learned discussing how these experiences shaped the young entrepreneur today. (Up to 500 words)
- Demonstrate the innovation, creativity and/or personal qualities needed in developing the business outlining the impact and successes achieved. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Business achievements, Innovation, Leadership, Social impact and sustainability, Personal qualities
Entrepreneur of the Year
sponsored by Pyronix
To win the Entrepreneur of the Year award, nominees must demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial skills, innovation, leadership, and impact in their respective fields. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Business achievements: showing a successful track record of launching and growing their businesses; evidence of revenue growth, customer acquisition, and solid business model.
- Innovation: demonstrating a creative and original approach to their business, industry, or market; unique business models/approaches; using disruptive technologies.
- Leadership: displaying strong leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and inspire teams; managing risk and making difficult decisions; evidence of effective communication, strategic thinking, and a clear vision for the future.
- Social Impact and Sustainability: demonstrating a positive impact; showing evidence of corporate social responsibility, sustainable practices, and contributions to social or environmental causes; recognition from awards/accolades.
- Personal qualities: possessing personal qualities such as business acumen, resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks; overcoming challenges, adapting to change, and learning from failures.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the entrepreneurial journey and the growth and success of the business outlining how leadership and strategic decision-making have contributed to the achievements and milestones of successes achieved. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe how major risks were identified and managed and the ways these shaped the business or venture, highlighting any personal qualities that were instrumental to success. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Business achievements, Innovation, Leadership, Social impact and sustainability, Personal qualities
Intrapreneur of the Year
An intrapreneur is any employee within a company who demonstrates an entrepreneurial approach to turning an idea into a profitable output, this may involve reimagining an existing product/service or generating a new one. Nominees should demonstrate their personal contribution via leadership, dedication, and/or impact in championing the product/service. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Business achievements: playing a key part in the growing of the business; presenting evidence of attributable revenue growth, customer acquisition, profitability, market share, and/or other key performance indicators.
- Development: showing evidence of skills/knowledge development; benefiting from and/or contributing to mentoring/coaching.
- Engagement: effectively engaging key internal and external stakeholders; effective communication; being recognized as a business enabler; winning awards/accolades.
- Social Impact and Sustainability: demonstrating a positive impact; showing evidence of corporate social responsibility, sustainable practices; serving community interests.
- Personal qualities: possessing personal qualities such as business acumen, resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks; overcoming challenges, adapting to change, and learning from failures.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the intrapreneurial journey and the growth and success of the business outlining how leadership and strategic decision-making have contributed to the successes achieved. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe how major risks were identified and managed and the process of engaging and managing different stakeholders including details of the personal qualities and/or outlining the successes and impacts that have been achieved. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Business achievements, Development, Engagement, Social impact and sustainability, Personal qualities
Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: up to £10m
sponsored by Trojan Security
To win the Entrepreneurial Business of the Year award for businesses with up to £10 million in revenue, nominees must demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and growth potential. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Entrepreneurial skills: displaying exceptional entrepreneurial skills, including the ability to identify opportunities, take risks, and innovate; evidence of developing new products, services, or business models/approaches.
- Business acumen: understanding of their business financials, operations, and market position; developing a clear strategy and implementing it effectively; achieving significant growth in revenue and/or profitability.
- Growth potential: demonstrating significant growth potential, in revenue and/or market share; evidence of expanded into new markets; diversifying the product or service offering; positioning for continued growth.
- Customer focus: demonstrating a strong focus on customer satisfaction, retention, and loyalty; building strong customer relationships; developing a loyal customer base; consistently delivering high-quality products or services.
- Innovation: demonstrating a creative and original approach to the business; leveraging technology; developing new processes; entering into new partnerships to achieve success; earning recognition from others via awards/accolades.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the value proposition that sets the business apart from competitors and how services/products have been targeted at key audiences outlining major risks and/or barriers and how they were managed. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe the key successes of the business outlining the key strategies and tactics that led to them. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Entrepreneurial skills, Business acumen, Growth potential, Customer focus, Innovation
Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: above £10m
sponsored by CSL
Entrepreneurial Business of the Year: £10m+ is a prestigious category that recognises businesses with an annual turnover of over £10 million that have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial qualities. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Strong financial performance: demonstrating strong and sustainable financial performance in terms of revenue growth, profitability, and/or cash flow; showing sales growth, improved profit margins; having ambitious and credible plans for growth.
- Innovation and adaptability: demonstrating innovation in terms of products/services, and/or business models; having the ability to adapt to changing market condition; adopting new technologies or adapting existing ones; using unique/innovative business models and/or creative marketing strategies that set the company apart from competitors.
- Customer focus and value proposition: demonstrating a clear understanding of customers’ needs and preferences; evolving a compelling value proposition that differentiates it from competitors; delivering exceptional customer service and satisfaction.
- Leadership and culture: demonstrating strong leadership and management skills; a culture that fosters innovation, collaboration, and employee engagement; evidence of a clear vision and strategy for the future; effective execution and communication of a strong strategy.
- Social impact and sustainability: demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, community involvement; highlighting environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing and production practices; philanthropic initiatives that benefit local communities.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the value proposition that sets the business apart from competitors and how services/products have been targeted at key audiences outlining major risks and/or barriers and how they were managed. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe the key successes of the business outlining the key strategies and tactics that led to them. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Strong financial performance, Innovation and adaptability, Customer focus and value proposition, Leadership and culture, Social impact and sustainability
Market Disruptor of the Year
Market Disruptor of the Year is a highly sought-after category that recognizes businesses that have challenged the status quo and disrupted traditional markets or industries with innovative products, services, or business models. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Innovative product or service: introducing a truly innovative product/service that has disrupted the market; created new customer demand and/or improved the customer experience in a significant way.
- Scalability and market potential: demonstrating significant potential for growth and scalability, as well as a clear strategy for expanding the market reach and customer base; evidence of a clear vision and strategy for the future; the effective execution and communication of that strategy.
- Competitive advantage: demonstrating a clear competitive advantage over existing market players; adopting a unique intellectual property, proprietary technology, or a differentiated business model.
- Customer focus: demonstrating a deep understanding of customers’ needs and preferences and then meeting them; delivering exceptional customer value and satisfaction.
- Impact on the industry: demonstrating a significant impact on its industry; changing the ‘rules of the game’, creating new markets and/or business models, and/or redefining industry standards.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the rationale and the disruption tactics adopted and including any innovative/creative approaches explaining why they were effective. (Up to 500 words)
- Outline the main obstacles encountered and how they were overcome and the overall impact achieved. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Innovative product or service, Scalability and market potential, Competitive advantage, Customer focus, Impact on the industry
Family-Owned Business of the Year
sponsored by HKC Security
The Family-Owned Business of the Year category recognises the important role that family businesses play in driving economic growth and creating jobs. This category is open to businesses that are owned and operated by a family, with family members actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Family involvement: demonstrating a strong family involvement in the day-to-day operations of the company, with family members actively engaged in strategic decision-making, leadership, and management roles.
- Business performance: evidencing a strong financial performance and a track record of sustained growth and profitability; evidence of a clear business strategy, sound financial management, and a commitment to innovation and adaptation in response to changing market conditions.
- Social Impact and Sustainability: demonstrating a commitment to corporate social responsibility, including environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical business practices; evidencing tangible outcomes and achievements in these areas.
- Customer satisfaction and loyalty: demonstrating high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty; acting on customer feedback; showing ratings, testimonials or reviews; a strong track record of customer retention and repeat business; a clear strategy for building customer loyalty and advocacy.
- Family values and legacy: demonstrating a commitment to maintaining family values and legacy; having a clear plan for succession and continuity.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Explain the role of the family and any family values that have been key in shaping and driving operations, outlining the major risks and/or barriers faced and how they were managed. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe the key successes of the business outlining the key strategies and tactics that led to them and the role of the family in sustaining them. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Family involvement, Business performance, Social impact and sustainability, Customer satisfaction and loyalty, Family values and legacy
University Start-up of the Year
The University Startup of the Year category recognises innovative and successful startups that have emerged from universities. This category is open to businesses that are founded by students, alumni within two years of graduation, or faculty members of any UK university and have already attracted external funding. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Innovation and impact: demonstrating a high degree of innovation and the potential to make a significant impact on its industry or market; evidencing a distinct/unique product/service offering; relating to a clear understanding of the market opportunity; showing a plan for growth and scaling.
- Commercialisation and funding: demonstrating a successful record of attracting funding; evidencing revenue growth; evidencing a sound business model; a strong understanding of the competitive landscape.
- Team and leadership: demonstrating a strong and capable team; showing a commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship; a track record of successful collaboration and teamwork.
- Intellectual property and legal compliance: demonstrating a strong commitment to intellectual property protection and legal compliance; showing a plan for protecting and monetising intellectual property assets.
- Social impact and sustainability: demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, community involvement; highlighting environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing and production practices; philanthropic initiatives that benefit local communities.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Explain the start-up, including the problem or opportunity it addresses, the market it serves, and the factors that led to the university supporting it. Outline the major risks and/or barriers faced and how they were managed. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe the key successes of the business outlining the key strategies and tactics that led to them and the role of the university environment in sustaining them. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Innovation and impact, Commercialisation and funding, Team and leadership, Intellectual property and legal compliance, Social impact and sustainability
Exporter of the Year
The Exporter of the Year award recognizes businesses that have successfully expanded their customer base overseas through export activities. This award category is open to businesses of all sizes and industries, from startups to established companies, as long as they have demonstrated a commitment to exporting and have achieved significant success in international markets. The following are examples of the criteria that judges may consider when evaluating nominees:
- Entrepreneurial skills: including the ability to identify opportunities, take risks, and innovate; evidence of developing new products, services, or business models/approaches.
- A clear export strategy: evidencing a well-defined export strategy that demonstrates a commitment to exporting as a core component of the growth strategy; a comprehensive plan for identifying and entering new markets, building partnerships with overseas distributors; leveraging local resources to expand reach.
- Export success: showing a proven track record of exporting products/services to multiple countries; demonstrating strong sales growth and profitability in international markets; evidencing improved volume and value of exports, the percentage of revenue generated from exports, and the diversity of markets served.
- Innovation and adaptation: demonstrating innovation and adaptability in response to changing market conditions; managing cultural differences, and regulatory requirements in overseas markets; developing customized products or services for specific markets; adapting marketing strategies to local preferences; navigating complex logistics and supply chain challenges.
- Social Impact and Sustainability: demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, community involvement; highlighting environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing and production practices; philanthropic initiatives that benefit local communities.
To enter this category you will be asked to:
- Describe the business and the distinct features of the export journey, including any innovative/creative approaches explaining why they were effective. (Up to 500 words)
- Outline the main obstacles encountered and how they were overcome and the overall impact achieved. (Up to 500 words)
The judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding performance in:
Entrepreneurial skills, A clear export strategy, Export success, Innovation and adaptation, Social impact and sustainability
Lifetime Achievement
sponsored by Ajax
This award recognises a senior member of the entrepreneurial community. It recognises an individual who has consistently shown outstanding performance over an extended period of time and has had a substantial impact in any area of the security and safety sectors.
In nominating someone for this category (it is nomination only) you will be asked to:
- Describe the individual’s career, including key moments and prominent achievements. (Up to 500 words)
- Describe how entrepreneurial excellence has been at the forefront of activities throughout the individual’s career, how this person made a significant contribution to entrepreneurialism in any aspect of the security and safety sectors. (500 words)
The Judges will be looking for evidence of outstanding entrepreneurialism in:
- The roles held by the individual and the significance of them to entrepreneurialism
- Highlighting the factors that enable the individual to excel
- Identifying the ways in which the individual has influenced the communities engaged with
- Providing examples of building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders
- Demonstrating the overall value added