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Competition rules and regulations

Article 1 

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) is organizing the Flanders International Business Awards, a competition for companies that have distinguished themselves in Flanders’ economic ecosystem. 

With the Flanders International Business Awards, FIT puts the spotlight on businesses with striking export results, companies with exceptional foreign investments in Flanders and startups with unique stories. In this way, FIT showcases its unique added value and DNA: connecting entrepreneurs, decision makers and organizations to put Flanders on the map worldwide. 

Article 2 

FIT presents the Flanders International Business Awards in 3 categories: 

  • Exporter of the Year; 
  • Foreign Investor of the Year; 
  • Startup of the Year (founded after 2012).  

Article 3 

Companies with a registered office in Flanders or companies established in Flanders with autonomous decision-making powers can participate in the contest by filling out the online contest form.

Participating companies that complete the online contest form unconditionally accept the competition rules and regulations. They also declare that the information they provide is complete and correct. Participating companies authorize FIT to request RSZ (NSSO) certificates. 
 

Article 4 

Companies can be nominated for the Flanders International Business Awards for a maximum of 2 consecutive editions. Winners of the Flanders International Business Awards are excluded from participation for 2 subsequent editions. 
 

Article 5 

There are two rounds of judging by a professional jury: 

In the 1st jury round, the jury selects the 3 best scoring companies in each of the 3 categories. These 9 companies will be nominated for the Flanders International Business Awards. 

In the 2nd jury round, the jury selects 1 winner out of the 3 nominees for the Flanders International Business Awards in each of the 3 categories, based on the online competition form on the one hand and a presentation by the nominated companies on the other hand. 

Each jury member has access to the complete competition file, without restrictions. The jury members treat the information provided by the candidates as strictly confidential. The decisions of the jury are irrevocable. The deliberations of the jury take place in private and are strictly confidential. 
 

Article 6 

Participating companies are judged on the following criteria, among others: 

  • the diversification and sustainability of international activities in and/or from Flanders, the companies’ robustness; 

  • whether they have a significant impact on growth and innovation within the economic ecosystem in which the companies are embedded in Flanders; 

  • their international successes and the ambassador role they are willing to play. 
     

Article 7 

FIT will present the Flanders International Business Awards to the three companies designated as winners by the jury. 

The three winners will acquire the title of Flanders International Business Award, indicating the category and the year: 

  • Exporter of the Year; 
  • Foreign Investor of the Year; 
  • Startup of the Year.   

The winners each receive a trophy and may use the Flanders International Business Award (indicating the category and year) in their corporate communications.  
 

Article 8 

The nominees will receive the title ‘Flanders International Business Award, nominee’ with mention of the category and the year in which they were nominated. 

The nominees will each receive a trophy and may use the logo (indicating the category and year) in their corporate communications. 
 

Article 9 

Winners and nominees of the Flanders International Business Awards permit FIT to include their names and logos in its communications. 

FIT may share participants’ contact details with partner organizations and sponsors. FIT’s partners and sponsors may also use the names of the winners and nominees in their communication related to the Flanders International Business Awards.