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Johnson & Johnson Innovation believes diversity and an inclusive culture are key to successful innovation. However, in the health care technology & life sciences startup and VC ecosystem, black-led businesses are underrepresented, and are challenged in getting equitable access to funding and resources. With this in mind, we want to recognise the leadership of the many innovators and entrepreneurs in these communities who are challenging this inequity, providing them with a platform to share their success and drive sustainable change.

That is why we are proud to be sponsoring this new award.

BLACK-LED BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR

This new award recognises the achievements and contributions of black* leaders of companies that have shown superior leadership, vision and inspiration or transformational outcomes for their business and sector as a whole during the qualifying period. It is open to leaders within European life science & health technology companies only.

*Black, African, Caribbean, Black British, Black European, other Black, African or Caribbean background or other mixed or multiple black background 

Qualifying criteria

• Must be a Founder or C-suite level member of a private company
• Must have held that position and delivered results during the period between 1 September 2021 and up to 1 September 2022
• Must be a company registered with European headquarters

Judges will be paying particular attention to:

• What the leader's greatest achievements were in this period
• Creation of non-transactional / financial outcomes / opportunities
• Creation of new partnerships / leveraging existing partnerships
• How has the leader created value for stakeholders and investors
• Examples of overcoming adversity
• What the leader has done to influence and advance black entrepreneurship in their sector