Nominations for the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards

The University of Wisconsin–Madison’s vibrant culture encourages innovation among faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Established in 2011, the Chancellor’s Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards recognize innovators and UW alumni who further the Wisconsin Idea through outstanding accomplishments in entrepreneurship. Held each spring, the awards event is presented by the Office of the Chancellor in partnership with the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association and produced by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Hub.

Honorees have achieved great entrepreneurial success that contributes to economic growth and welfare, serve as models for the UW entrepreneurial community, or inspires a campus culture of entrepreneurship. Honorees can come from a variety of backgrounds. Examples include (but are not limited to) startup founders, serial entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, educators, leaders of entrepreneurial support organizations, venture investors, and social entrepreneurs. The honorees have changed lives through their entrepreneurial activities, furthering the Wisconsin Idea, our university’s pledge to benefit citizens beyond the boundaries of the campus. Honorees have also demonstrated leadership by giving back to the university and community, helping others to learn, grow and achieve.

See past honorees.

Nominations of innovators and entrepreneurs are considered in two broad categories:

Leadership/career achievement
Early/mid-career achievement

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW–Madison. Nominations of innovators and entrepreneurs from every background are encouraged.

Nominations for the 2026 awards have now closed.

Nominations must be received by October 1st, 2026 for consideration for the annual awards event held in spring 2027. Nominations may be considered for the upcoming or future awards events. Self-nominations are accepted. Past award recipients may not be nominated again.

For questions, please email entrepreneurship.hub@wisc.edu.

Entrepreneurial Achievement Awards Nomination Form

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Leadership/career achievement

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If you are having problems submitting this form, please email entrepreneurship.hub@wisc.edu.

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