The Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – are traditional business recognitions that are awarded at the Sarajevo Business Forum, the leading investment and business conference in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe.
In order to improve the regional business environment and support new ideas, successful companies and individuals, we continue to recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in business.
Important information for nomination
- Before the election, companies and individuals must be nominated for the Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards 2025
- Nominations can be submitted individually, by private or public companies, organizations and institutions
- Applications and self-nominations are possible
- The organizer will not take into account double nominations submitted by the same persons
- Nominees can be entrepreneurs/company or entrepreneur based in one of the following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia or Albania.
- Nomination and acceptance of awards are free of charge
- Winners or awardees will be accredited free of charge (up to 2 people) with Sarajevo Business Forum Full Pass accreditations
Deadline and application
Nominations for the Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards 2025 are open until May 9, 2025.
Address for nomination/application
Please send your application proposals to: awards@sarajevobusinessforum.com or marketing@bbi.ba
The application should include the name of the company or individual and the contact person, the name of the category for which you are applying and a brief description/reason why the company or individual deserves recognition.
Expert jury
All applications for the Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards 2025 will go through an expert jury evaluation process, where applications are evaluated according to the evaluation criteria described for each category.
Categories
The awarding of a total of 5 (five) Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards 2025 is planned for achievements in one of the following categories:
- Business of the year
- Entrepreneur of the year
- Business move of the year
- Social Impact Award
- Special recognition for contribution to the economy
Business of the Year – This award recognizes the company that has achieved exceptional results in terms of growth, profitability, innovation, and sustainability. The winner of this award must have a proven track record of success, a strong financial position, and a clear vision for the future.
Entrepreneur of the Year – This award recognizes the individual who has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial skills and achieved exceptional results in terms of creating and developing a successful business venture. The winner of this award must have a proven track record of success, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a clear vision for the future.
Business Move of the Year – This award recognizes the company that has made a significant strategic move that has had a positive impact on its business performance. The winner of this award must have made a successful acquisition, merger, expansion, or other strategic move that has demonstrated exceptional business acumen and a clear vision for the future.
Social Impact Award – This award recognizes the company that has made a significant positive impact on society and the environment through its business activities. The winner of this award must have a proven track record of social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical business practices, and must have demonstrated exceptional commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Special Recognition for Contribution to the Economy – This award recognizes the individual or company that has made a significant contribution to the development and growth of Bosnia and Herzegovina's economy. The winner of this award must have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision, and commitment to the country's economic development, and must have a proven track record of creating jobs, increasing exports, and driving economic growth.
The winners
Winners will be invited to receive the award on the first day of the 13th Sarajevo Business Forum (SBF) on May 22, 2024 at the Building of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2024:
Project of the Year Award was presented to ASA Hospital
This first private general hospital represents a significant step forward in improving healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It's a testament to the founders’ dedication to investing in the prosperity and development of Bosnian society. Officially opened in April of this year in Sarajevo, ASA Hospital covers 36,000 square meters, has 180 hospital beds, 10 operating rooms, and employs 267 people. ASA Hospital strives to develop centers of excellence and recognition in the areas of maternal and child health, minimally invasive therapies, and quality and safety with the goal of achieving JCI accreditation.
Business Move of the Year Award was presented to Madi Tešanj meat industry
The Business Move of the Year Award was presented to Madi Tešanj meat industry for their significant investment in Agromix's 19 million KM factory in Doboj. Madi Tešanj meat industry is considered a business success story in the Balkans, known for record growth and being the most promising producer of chicken and chicken products in the region. Madi is one of the fastest-growing companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31%.
The Investment of the Year Award was presented to Mahle Electric Drives Bosnia
Mahle Electric Drives Bosnia, a leading international development partner and supplier of systems for the automotive industry, realized an investment of over 20 million euros in a new production and business facility in the Aleksandrovac industrial zone. This investment resulted in the creation of 100 new jobs in 2023, with plans to hire an additional 300 employees in 2024.
The Social Impact Award of the Year was presented to the Pomozi.ba Association
Pomozi.ba Association is a non-profit humanitarian organization that helps people in need throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. Since its establishment in 2012, the Association has helped around 2 million people through various projects and humanitarian actions.
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2023:
- BH brand ambassador – Edin Džeko
- Business of the year – Studen & Co Holding
- Youth employer of the year – Klika
- Social Impact Award – Ženska mentorska mreža / Women's Mentoring Network
- Business move of the year – BH Tech Lab BH Telecoma
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2022:
- New Business of the Year – BOKA PLACE by PORTO MONTENEGRO (Tivat, Montenegro)
- Business of the Year – MINISTRY OF PROGRAMMING (Sarajevo, BiH)
- Social Impact of the Year – PHILANTHROPIC FORUM BiH (BiH)
- Investment of the Year – EASTERN MINING (Vareš, BiH)
- B&H Brand Ambassador of the Year – JUSUF NURKIĆ
- Business Move of the Year – LASTA (Čapljina, BiH)
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2019:
- New Business of the Year – FLYBOSNIA (BiH)
- Business of the Year – NELT GROUP (Serbia)
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Rusmir Hrvić, Direktor AS Holding (BiH)
- Youth Employer of the Year – SEAVUS Group (Northern Macedonia)
- Social Impact Award – Coca-Cola HBC Sarajevo (BiH)
- Innovator of the Year award – AC Food, MAZA product (BiH)
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2018:
- New Business of the Year – Networks Sarajevo
- Business of the Year – Nikola Tesla Airport
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Snježana Kopruner, CEO of GS
- Youth Employer of the Year – Mozaik Foundation
- Social Impact Award – Porto Montenegro-Adriatic Marinas
- Innovator of the Year award – Bamcard Sarajevo with Kviko App
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2017:
- New Business of the year – HUB387
- Business of the year – HIFA Group
- Youth employer of the year – MSAN Group
- Social impact Award – Hastor Foundation
- Innovator of the Year – Gorenje Group
Sarajevo Business Bridge Awards – Winners 2016:
- The Social Impact Award – FIS Vitez
- Entrepreneur of the Year – Mr. Gazmend Haxhia
- Business of the Year – Klas d.d. Sarajevo, Mr. Rusmir Hrvić
- New Business of the Year – Company Žitopeka
- Innovator of the Year – Dejan Šumak
- Youth Employer of the Year – Infobip d.o.o. Sarajevo
