ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The US Best Managed Companies program recognizes successful private companies for how they're run, what they've achieved, the contributions they make—and the people who make it all possible.
If you're interested in applying for the 2026 program, please review the eligibility criteria below and visit our application site.
Read our 2025 press release announcement, and visit the Wall Street Journal hub.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
How does the program benefit applicants and honorees?
When you apply, you’ll receive an independent view of your business and benchmarking against 'the best' private companies. It’s more than an individual award focused on one or two benchmarks. It’s a comprehensive assessment of overall business performance.
Honoree benefits
- Exclusive use of the US Best Managed Companies designation and logo for one year
- National media coverage in The Wall Street Journal
- Recognition from sponsors
- Workforce recognition—the award celebrates efforts of the entire organization
- Opportunities to connect with other US and global Best Managed Companies
- Best practice sharing and benchmarking
- Exclusive invites to events
ELIGIBILITY AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
What are the eligibility and evaluation criteria?
To be eligible to apply for this program, companies must meet the following criteria:
- US-based private companies and portfolio companies
- Must be headquartered in the United States
- Must have minimum revenue of $250 million
- In the case of a portfolio company controlled by a pension fund whose investment is managed by a US private equity firm, the pension fund must be registered in the United States
The following entities are not eligible:
- US investment management firms, US private equity firms, US venture capital firms, and US family offices
- US-owned public companies or income trusts with more than 50% of their shares or units traded publicly
- Credit unions and charities
- Government and public sector organizations
- US subsidiaries of foreign companies
Applicants are evaluated against four criteria—strengths shared by management teams who excel amid change:
- Strategy: Best Managed Companies have a formal methodology for strategy development, capabilities and metrics in place to execute their strategy, and clearly and consistently communicate it to all levels of the organization.
- Execution: Best Managed Companies are highly execution-oriented, focused on productivity and innovation, and thoughtful about hiring people to execute their strategies.
- Culture: Best Managed Companies disproportionately invest in their people by maintaining strong one-team cultures, provide holistic compensation packages, invest in training, and address leadership succession planning.
- Governance/Financials: Best Managed Companies maintain strong reporting systems, use key metrics to measure their progress, maintain strong balance sheets, and apply the financial discipline required to execute their strategies.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE
How does the application process work and what is the timeline?
Applicants complete a short online eligibility form and, for those who qualify, the opportunity to showcase business achievements.
The 2026 US Best Managed Companies application period will open in summer of 2025. For additional information, contact the US Best Managed Companies team at usbestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.com.