The Nashville Entrepreneur Center is honored to host the 2027 NEXT Awards to celebrate each of you – entrepreneurs in Middle Tennessee who are transforming industries and making our world better.
This year, we're honoring companies in 8 industry categories and one individual who has changed what's possible here.
Industry Categories:
- Business and Professional Services
- Consumer Goods
- Healthcare and Life Sciences
- Technology and AI
- Music, Sports, Gaming, and Entertainment
- Real Estate and Construction
- Retail and Restaurants
- Social Enterprise
Entrepreneur of 2027 recognizes one founder who has made a lasting impact on the Middle Tennessee community.
Qualifications (please read these carefully):
- In business for 7 years or less, as of the 2027 awards ceremony.
- Company must be headquartered in Middle Tennessee.
- Founder must still be actively involved with the company.
- Must be a for-profit company (unless applying for the Social Enterprise category).
- Cannot have won a NEXT Award in 2026.
The 2027 application deadline will be announced soon.