2026 OBAA Criteria*

Beyond Borders Business Award

To be considered for the Beyond Borders Business Award, nominees must demonstrate:

1. A product or service with proven international demand, offering clear competitive advantage or differentiation abroad with demonstrated year over year revenue growth (sales).
2. Compliance with international quality and regulatory standards, including required certifications, safety rules, and customs requirements.
3. Reliable production capacity and scalability, demonstrating ability to fulfill repeat or large‑volume export orders without compromising quality.
4. Competitive global pricing, accounting for freight, tariffs, insurance, and currency considerations to ensure sustainable landed cost.

Accessible Employer Award

To be considered for the Accessible Employer Award, nominees must demonstrate:

1. Accessible physical workspaces, ensuring barrier‑free entry, movement, signage, and ergonomics across facilities and accessible digital tools and technologies, meeting AODA standards and offering inclusive communication formats.
2. A clear, confidential accommodation process, enabling timely adjustments such as flexible work, assistive devices, or modified duties.
3. Inclusive recruitment and hiring practices, with accessible postings, unbiased screening, and interview accommodations, including Fair and equitable employment practices.
4. Leadership commitment to accessibility, demonstrated through goals, accountability, and sustained investment as well as a clear training schedule.

Creative Industries Award

To be considered for the Creative Industries Award, nominees must demonstrate:

1. Excellence in creative output, delivering original, high‑quality artistic, cultural, or digital work supported by measurable audience engagement or industry recognition.
2. Economic and market impact, demonstrated through growth in audiences, clients, distribution, revenue, or cultural exports within the year.
3. Innovation in creative practice, applying new techniques, technologies, or storytelling approaches that advance the sector.
4. Contribution to community and workforce development through partnerships, talent initiatives, cultural participation, or initiatives that strengthen Ontario’s creative workforce and cultural infrastructure.

Diversity & Inclusion Award

To be considered for the Diversity & Inclusion Award, nominees must demonstrate:

1. Leadership commitment and governance, embedding D&I into strategy, accountability structures, and decision‑making.
2. Measurable D&I outcomes, demonstrating progress in representation, pay equity, retention, and advancement within the year.
3. Innovative D&I initiatives, such as inclusive hiring, flexible policies, and technology‑enabled inclusion tools as well as training.
4. An inclusive culture of belonging, supported by psychological safety, inclusive behaviours, and lived‑experience feedback.

Excellence in Innovation Award

To be considered for the Excellence in Innovation Award, nominees must demonstrate:

1. Novelty and originality, offering a new or significantly improved solution to a defined problem with demonstrated year over year revenue growth (sales).
2. Demonstrated impact and value, with measurable benefits for customers, industries, or communities.
3. Effective use of data and metrics, applying analytics, KPIs, or evidence‑based decision‑making.
4. Innovation leadership and culture, fostering creativity, experimentation, and organizational support for new ideas.

Sustainability in Business Award

To be considered for the Sustainability in Business Award, nominees must demonstrate:

1. A clear sustainability strategy, embedded in governance, operations, and long‑term planning with measurable goals as well as reducing emissions, waste, and resource use through measurable actions in a three-year window.
2. Sustainable supply‑chain management, evaluating suppliers on environmental, social, and human‑rights performance.
3. Positive social impact, supporting workers, communities, Indigenous partnerships, and equitable labour practices.
4. Innovation for sustainability, through low‑carbon technologies, circular products, or eco‑designed solutions.

 

* Please note, publicly funded organizations are not eligible for the Ontario Business Achievement Awards (OBAAs).