Baylor Business Impact Awards
Celebrating Entrepreneurial Impact
The John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise will host the 4th annual Baylor Business Impact Awards (BIA) on November 1, 2024. The BIA is designed to honor businesses that are making an impactful difference and are either founded or managed by Texas families, Baylor alumni or current students.
In keeping with the tradition of the Institute for Family Business, recipients of the Texas Family Business of the Year Award are not required to be Baylor alumni-owned/led.
Alumni, friends of Baylor and the general public are encouraged to nominate businesses that represent Baylor’s mission and make an impactful difference through day-to-day operations. Self-nominations are more than welcome and are encouraged.
Upon receipt of notification of nomination, an eligible company representative will be asked to submit a short application to complete the process. There is no application fee.
BIA award finalists will be notified and the grand prize winners will be announced at the Awards Gala on November 1.
Applicants will have opportunities for engagement with other Baylor Entrepreneurship Department initiatives with roles such as guest speakers, mentors and judges. For additional information on the 2024 Baylor Business Impact Awards, please refer to the 2024 Guidebook. All questions should be addressed to impactawards@baylor.edu.
2024 Baylor Business Impact Awards Important Dates
June 1 – August 1
Nominations Open for Baylor Business Impact Awards
August 25
Deadline for Nominees to Submit Applications
September 6 – September 22
Application Evaluation
October 11
Finalists Notified of Advancement
November 1
Baylor Business Impact Awards Gala (by invitation)
Baylor Business Impact Awards Categories
DEAN’S AWARD
Recognizes a successful business that goes above and beyond representing Baylor’s core convictions and the Hankamer School of Business values of leadership, learning, impact, innovation, integrity, teamwork, transformation, excellence, exploration and service.
There are no applications for this award. The winner is chosen by the University.
“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned…” Titus 2:7-8
Business Representative Eligibility
The business representative must meet one of the following criteria:
- Baylor graduate currently holding controlling interest of the company, or
- Baylor graduate currently serving in the company with the role of founder, active senior management or c-level position (chairman, CEO, president or managing partner).
TEXAS FAMILY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognizes successful, multi-generational, family-owned firms in Texas with a commitment to the family and business continuity. The award is open to both Baylor alumni and non-Baylor alumni business owners.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” Ecclesiastes 4:9
Business Representative Eligibility
The business representative must meet one of the following criteria:
- Currently hold controlling interest of the company , or
- Currently serves in the company with the role of founder, active senior management or c-level position (chairman, CEO, president or managing partner).
Business Eligibility
The applicant business may be a private company or a public company controlled by an individual or family, based in Texas and operates in a manner consistent with the Baylor core convictions.
A business or organization must have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Has been owned and operated by multiple generations of a family,
- The potential exists for ownership to be passed on to a younger generation,
- More than one member of a family has active employment in an organization owned by a family, or
- A family holding company which is presently operating a business.
GREAT COMMISSION AWARD
Recognizes a company that has unambiguous Christian values, supports the Great Commission, demonstrates an exceptional level of stewardship in the conduct of business and operates in a manner consistent with the Baylor core convictions.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
Business Representative Eligibility
The business representative must meet one of the following criteria:
- Baylor graduate currently holding controlling interest of the company, or
- Baylor graduate currently serving in the company with the role of founder, active senior management or c-level position (chairman, CEO, president or managing partner).
COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AWARD
Recognizes a business that demonstrates a commitment to improving the greater good of the local community and operates in a manner consistent with the Baylor core convictions.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2
Business Representative Eligibility
The business representative must meet one of the following criteria:
- Baylor graduate currently holding controlling interest of the company, or
- Baylor graduate currently serving in the company with the role of founder, active senior management or c-level position (chairman, CEO, president or managing partner).
CURRENT STUDENT AWARD
Recognizes a current Baylor student who has shown exceptional promise and success maintaining a business while concurrently enrolled in classes and operates in a manner consistent with the Baylor core convictions.
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Business Representative Eligibility
The business representative must be a Baylor student currently enrolled in classes for the 2024-2025 academic year with controlling interest, have the role of founder, active management or a c-level position.
RECENT ALUMNI AWARD
Recognizes a successful business owned or managed by a Baylor Business School graduate who attended within the previous ten years, earning either an undergraduate or graduate degree. The company must operate in a manner consistent with the Baylor core convictions.
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
1 Timothy 4:15
Business Representative Eligibility
The business representative must currently have controlling interest, the role of founder, active management or c-level position.
