A national benchmark, not an annual dinner
Sharakah Award exists to become a credible benchmark for entrepreneurial excellence in the Sultanate of Oman.
Success is more than financial performance. The Award recognises how a business grew, what it adapted through, how it innovated, the opportunities it created, and what it contributed to its industry and its community.
Entries are assessed against six published criteria by an independent expert jury. Finalists are announced ahead of the ceremony and their stories published, so recognition begins before the night itself rather than ending with it.
Applicants may enter every category that genuinely applies to them, but may receive only one award in the same edition.
Download the Award brochure Full category list, evaluation criteria, eligibility and the application timeline. PDF.Key figures
The award is the beginning, not the end
Recognition opens the door. What follows it is designed to be worth more than the trophy.
National recognition
Recognition at the awards ceremony, a winner story published by Sharakah, and promotion across the Award's media and partner channels.
Six months of advisory support
A six-month advisory engagement with Sharakah following the ceremony, applied to the areas the business most needs rather than a fixed curriculum.
To be announced
A further element of the winners package is being confirmed for the 2026 edition.
To be announced
Reserved for a partner-contributed benefit as Award partnerships are confirmed.
Which category is yours?
Five tracks spanning business performance, innovation, impact, individual achievement and the Sharakah ecosystem.
Questions
What categories can I enter?
Five tracks, spanning business performance, innovation, impact, individual achievement and the Sharakah ecosystem.
- Business and Sector Best Business Performance, Emerging Business, Growth and Expansion, Trending Sector or Business, Sector-specific Recognition.
- Innovation Innovation and Technology, Excellence in AI Adoption, Digital Transformation, Oman to the World.
- Impact Economic Impact, Social Impact, Sustainability, Job Creation and Local Value.
- Individual Entrepreneur of the Year, Woman Entrepreneur, Home Business Entrepreneur, Young Entrepreneur.
- Sharakah Recognition Outstanding businesses from Sharakah programmes, portfolio success stories, transformational entrepreneurial journeys.
Category names and the final count are to be confirmed before public launch. The full list will be published in the Award brochure.
Can I enter more than one category?
Yes. Enter every category that genuinely applies to you. You may receive only one award in the same edition.
Who can enter?
The eligibility areas below are set. The exact thresholds for the 2026 edition are pending approval and will be published once confirmed.
- Business registration and SME classification Applicants are assessed against the approved business-registration and SME-classification requirements for the 2026 edition.
- Operating period and geography A minimum operating period applies. The final threshold and geographic eligibility are pending approval.
- Supporting documents and verification All applicants and nominees complete the official application and provide supporting information for eligibility screening and jury review. Submitted information is verified.
- Previous winners Rules for previous winners are to be confirmed for the 2026 edition.
Applicant information is treated in confidence throughout screening and judging.
Do I have to be a Sharakah beneficiary?
This is being confirmed for the 2026 edition. One track, Sharakah Recognition, is dedicated to businesses from Sharakah's programmes and portfolio.
Can I be nominated rather than apply?
Yes. The Award runs open applications alongside selected nominations. Nominees complete the same official application and the same eligibility review.
How does the process work, from entry to recognition?
- Apply or be nominated Open applications, alongside selected nominations.
- Eligibility Screening and review of supporting documents.
- Evaluation Assessment against the six published criteria.
- Finalists Shortlist announced, and the storytelling campaign begins.
- Final jury Expert scoring, with selective public participation.
- Recognition Ceremony, winner stories and post-award promotion.
Detailed dates will be published once the 2026 application calendar is approved.
What does the jury look for?
Six criteria, applied to every entry. The framework balances business outcomes against the quality of the entrepreneurial journey and its wider contribution.
- Business growth and performance
- Market and customer impact
- Innovation
- Economic and social contribution
- Sustainability and future potential
- Entrepreneurial journey and resilience
Is the winner decided by public vote?
No. Principal category winners are determined by an independent expert jury. Public voting applies only to a dedicated Trending and People's Choice award, so that engagement never turns the Award into a popularity contest.
How do you keep the judging fair?
An award is only worth as much as its process. Eight safeguards apply across the 2026 edition.
- Conflict-of-interest declarations
- Independent scoring
- Jury recusals where required
- Controls on public voting
- Applicant confidentiality
- Verification of submitted information
- Final score validation
- Structural separation of sponsorship and judging
What happens if I become a finalist?
Recognition is turned into visibility before the ceremony rather than after it. The finalist campaign shares the decisions, turning points, challenges and impact behind each journey.
- Founder profile
- A 60-second finalist film
- A key milestone and a challenge overcome
- An impact statistic and an entrepreneur quote
- Photography and social content
Can my organisation partner with the Award?
Yes. The Award connects entrepreneurial recognition with institutions that can give businesses access to expertise, visibility, networks, technology and growth. Sponsorship is kept structurally separate from judging.
- Strategic Partner
- Banking Partner
- Innovation Partner
- Technology Partner
- Entrepreneurship Partner
- Media Partner
- Category Partner
When do applications open?
Dates will be published once the 2026 application calendar is approved. Register your interest to be notified.
Be among the first to know
Register your interest to receive application dates, eligibility requirements and the final category list the moment entries open.
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