- Blog
- September 1, 2026
How to Submit a Nomination for SHE Award 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
For women entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their business credibility, industry recognition can be a valuable part of building a stronger brand. The ShangHai Honourable Women Entrepreneur Business Award (SHE Award) 2026 is designed to recognise women entrepreneurs and leaders across different industries, with the 2026 edition introducing 15 dedicated industry excellence titles.
The award focuses not only on recognition but also on documentation, verification and independent auditing. The SHE Award 2026 is built around the theme “Supporting Women, Building Future”, with recognition intended to provide entrepreneurs with an industry-specific title, media visibility and opportunities to connect with other business leaders.
If you are considering submitting a nomination, understanding the process beforehand can make the nomination process much smoother. Here is a step-by-step guide based on the official SHE 2026 nomination process and submission requirements.
Nomination Process at a Glance
The nomination journey covers eight key stages, from confirming eligibility and selecting a category to submitting the required documents, completing the evaluation and making use of the award assets after the ceremony. The guide below explains each stage step by step.
Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
Before preparing your nomination, the first step is to check whether you meet the SHE Award 2026 criteria.
The award uses one standard framework across all 15 categories. The first requirement is business ownership. The nominee must be a registered shareholder of the business or the licensed principal of her own professional practice.
Your core business activity must also fall within the industry category you are entering. This is important because SHE 2026 is structured around industry-specific recognition rather than a general business award.
The business must have been operating for a minimum of one year. Established brands with three or more years of operation are given weighting during judging.
There is no stated minimum turnover requirement. Businesses of all sizes can participate, with annual turnover being considered as part of the judging context rather than eligibility.
Finally, the business should demonstrate a suitable financial standing, with profitability assessed based on the latest audited report or management account. If the business has experienced financial losses, nominees are encouraged to provide explanations, with the final review including an assessment by the judging panel and audit partner, K.H. Lim & Co.
Step 2: Choose the Right SHE Award 2026 Industry Category
Once you have confirmed your eligibility, the next step is selecting the most appropriate industry category.
SHE Award 2026 introduces 15 Industry Excellence Titles, allowing nominees to be recognised specifically within their respective sectors. The categories listed in the proposal are:
- Women in Beauty & Aesthetics Excellence Award
- Women in F&B Excellence Award
- Women in Healthcare, Wellness & TCM Excellence Award
- Women in Education & Early Childhood Excellence Award
- Women in Real Estate & Property Advisory Excellence Award
- Women in Construction, Engineering & Interior Design Excellence Award
- Women in Manufacturing & OEM Excellence Award
- Women in Retail & E-Commerce Excellence Award
- Women in Fashion, Jewellery & Lifestyle Excellence Award
- Women in Professional Services Excellence Award
- Women in Wealth Advisory & Financial Planning Excellence Award
- Women in Media, Marketing & Creative Excellence Award
- Women in Tourism & Hospitality Excellence Award
- Women in Logistics & Trade Excellence Award
- Women in Technology & Digital Innovation Excellence Award
Step 3: Prepare Your Supporting Documents
After selecting your category, the next step is to prepare the required documentation before registering.
The SHE Award 2026 submission checklist contains eight key items:
- SHE26 registration form
- SSM Superform / full SSM set, or a letter of approval from the parent company
- Latest audited financial report, management account, profit and loss statement or latest income statement
- Company profile
- Latest CTOS report
- High-resolution personal portrait
- High-resolution company logo
- Declaration letter, where applicable to certain categories
The award committee recommends preparing these documents two to three weeks in advance because complete submissions can move through the audit process faster.
Preparing everything early also helps prevent delays caused by missing company records, outdated financial information or unsuitable image files.
Step 4: Submit Your Nomination
SHE Award 2026 accepts self-nominations and nominations by invitation.
For a self-nomination, the first step is to select your industry category and complete the SHE26 registration form provided. Applicants should fill in the required details, prepare and upload the required supporting documents, and complete the applicable processing & registration fee as outlined in the form. After submission, applicants can expect confirmation of their registration and further information on the next steps of the nomination and evaluation process.
The registration fee is RM3,000 + 8% SST. Applicants should take the registration fee into account when preparing for their award submission.
The proposal directs nominees to the SHE Award website at www.sheaward.biz to begin the nomination process. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the SHE Award team by calling +60 12-656 3810 or emailing info@sheaward.biz.
Step 5: Go Through the Independent Audit and Evaluation
One of the key features of the SHE Award 2026 process is its document verification and independent audit.
After registration and document submission, the application moves to the audit stage. According to the award committee, K.H. Lim & Co. serves as the third-party auditor, while the judges and audit partner conduct the final evaluation.
This means nominees should ensure that the information submitted is accurate, consistent and supported by the relevant documentation. Rather than treating the application as simply a marketing exercise, businesses should approach it as a structured review of their company, ownership, operations and financial standing.
The SHE Award 2026 positions this document-verified and independently audited approach as an important part of the award’s credibility.
Step 6: Wait for the Result Announcement
Following the audit, nominees do not have to wait indefinitely for an outcome.
The SHE Award 2026 committee states that results are announced by email within three working days after the audit. This gives successful nominees a relatively clear timeline for the next stage of the process.
If you are selected, the next stage involves choosing from the available publicity packages. The proposal states that publicity package selection takes place within seven working days.
Step 7: Attend the SHE 2026 Awards Gala Dinner
For successful awardees, the nomination journey culminates in the SHE Award 2026 gala ceremony.
The SHE Award 2026 Gala Dinner will be held at Sunway Hotel on 27 October 2026.
Winners are invited to receive their industry title on stage during the gala dinner. This provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievement publicly while connecting with fellow awardees, business leaders and other members of the SHE community.
The gala concept is designed around a premium red-carpet experience, featuring elements such as a red walkway tunnel, editorial photo booth and velvet stage and ballroom.
Step 8: Make Use of Your Award Recognition After the Ceremony
Winning an award should not be viewed as the end of the process. It can also become a useful business and branding asset after the ceremony.
According to the SHE Award 2026 committee, awardees receive an industry-titled trophy and certificate, media recognition across ShangHai Business Media platforms, a licence to use the official SHE Award 2026 logo for packaging, websites and marketing, as well as professional photographs and stage videos of the winning moment.
Awardees also gain access to the SHE community, which is a growing network of more than 114 women awardees.
Businesses can potentially use these assets across their website, company profile, social media, marketing materials and other appropriate brand communications.
Final Checklist Before You Submit
Before submitting your SHE Award 2026 nomination, take a final moment to review your application:
- Confirm that you meet the business ownership requirement.
- Make sure your core business activity matches the selected industry category.
- Confirm that the business has operated for at least one year.
- Prepare your latest financial documentation.
- Obtain your latest CTOS report.
- Prepare the required SSM documentation.
- Complete the SHE26 registration form.
- Prepare a high-resolution personal portrait.
- Prepare your high-resolution company logo.
- Check whether a declaration letter is required for your category.
- Review all information for consistency before submission.
- Prepare your documents two to three weeks ahead where possible.
Conclusion
Submitting a nomination for the SHE Award 2026 is a structured opportunity for eligible women entrepreneurs to gain industry-specific recognition while presenting their businesses through a documented and independently audited process.
With 15 dedicated Industry Excellence Titles and a clear nomination framework, applicants can prepare their submissions with greater clarity and confidence.
To start the nomination process or obtain further information, the SHE Award 2026 proposal directs applicants to www.sheaward.biz.
Nominations & Applications Now Open for the SHE Awards 2026
The ShangHai Honourable Women Entrepreneur Business Awards 2026 is now open for nominations and registrations. We warmly invite all shining women—and those around you who deserve to be seen—to take part in this momentous celebration of women’s excellence and empowerment.
