Who can apply?

The following companies are ineligible:

Credit institutions, banks, insurance companies, co-ops, SEC (Securities and exchange commission) regulated companies (e.g. SEC registrants and their affiliates), companies active in the gambling industry, Azerbaijan subsidiaries of foreign multinationals, government-owned entities/public sector agencies, charities and not-for-profit organisations and their affiliates and subsidiaries.

Applicants must complete a two-phased application

Phase I

The online application

This first phase verifies eligibility and should only take 30 minutes with the information at hand. Applications will open on 23 October 2025 and will close by 5 December 2025.

Phase II

The screening and reviewing process

This is an in-depth review of your company, addressing the four programme pillars – strategy, capability, commitment, financial results. Deadline for Phase II submission is 10 February 2026.

• An independent jury will score the different companies based on the global Best Managed Companies framework criteria. They will be notified of their success by end of April 2026
• All laureates will be announced in June 2026
• All submissions are confidential and the programme is compliant with privacy and confidentiality policies.