Economic Times to honor India's best AI startups and enterprises

India’s most prestigious AI awards are now accepting nominations for 2027, celebrating the products, teams, and leaders driving innovation across startups, SMEs, and enterprises. The Economic Times (ET) platform will feature all nominees, while winners receive extended brand amplification throughout the year. The program offers an independent evaluation by an eminent jury of industry leaders and technology experts, allowing participants to benchmark their AI initiatives against the best in the field.

Tracks for Startups, SMEs, and Enterprises

Organizations can select a specific track based on their size and structure. Startups must be privately held, founder-led, and recognized under Startup India. They must have fewer than 10 years of company age, less than 100 employees, and under ₹100 crore in annual revenue. This category carries a nomination fee of ₹25,000 plus GST. Eligible ventures are early-stage companies creating innovative AI products with strong growth potential.

SMEs are designed for growing businesses with over three years of history, fewer than 500 employees, and revenue between ₹100 crore and ₹500 crore. The fee for this track is ₹35,000 plus GST. This category is for growing businesses using AI to transform operations, products, and customer experiences at scale. The Enterprise track is for established organizations, including public companies and large private entities with more than 500 employees and over ₹500 crore in revenue, with a fee of ₹45,000 plus GST.

Nominators must review their details, complete the payment, and upload required documents to finalize their submission. The evaluation phase determines the finalists, who are notified before the awards ceremony. Shortlisted nominations undergo a grand jury assessment by an eminent jury of industry leaders and domain experts based on strategic relevance, execution and measurable outcomes, market potential, and overall excellence. This independent evaluation allows participants to measure their AI product or initiative against the best across industries and business functions.