INDEPENDENT SPONSOR AWARDS ®:

Recognizing the outstanding achievements across the industry, the Independent Sponsor Awards ® are back for 2026!

The Awards celebrate the movers and shakers in the dynamic Independent Sponsor space, shining a light on the innovative work that brings together some of the most unique middle-market deals in the industry.

The awards ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Independent Sponsor Summit, where Independent Sponsors and Capital Providers connect, network and share insights on some of the most pressing issues in the industry. This community will come together to honor the entrepreneurial spirit and industry expertise of their peers at the Awards, celebrating their wins and extraordinary achievements.

Our judging panel, consisting of industry experts and former category winners, will review submissions, with finalists announced in February. 

Winners will be announced and presented their awards during the cocktail reception at the Independent Sponsors Summit Miami on March 12.

 

Submit Your Nomination

 

Nomination Deadline: February 5th, 2026

AWARD CATEGORIES

Value Creation Award

  • Recognises measurable value creation (revenue growth, margin expansion, strategic transformation) in a transaction stakes by independent sponsors.

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Recognises long-standing contribution to the independent sponsor ecosystem, with significant legacy of deal-making, mentoring, ecosystem building.

Independent Sponsor of the Year

  • Recognises an individual (or firm) in the independent sponsor community who has made outstanding contributions in sourcing, structuring or executing deals in the past year.

Capital Provider of the Year

  • Honors a fund/institution or individual investor that has shown exemplary partnership with independent sponsors

Deal of the Year

  • Awarded for a particular transaction that stands out (complexity, innovation, value creation, speed, or structure) among the independent sponsor ecosystem.

Emerging Sponsor Award

  • Recognises newer independent sponsors in operation who have demonstrated strong promise, traction and a growing portfolio.

Excellence in Sourcing Award

  • Focuses on deal origination: the sponsor (or firm) who has exhibited strong ability to source off-market deals, creative pipelines, unique networks.

Innovation in Deal Structuring

  • Recognises creative structuring in a deal that enabled a transaction or improved outcomes markedly.

Social Impact Award

  • For deals with strong environmental, social or governance components or impact orientation, acknowledging the growing importance of ESG among deal-makers.




FORMAT

Award Nomination
A strong judges panel with 10-15 renowned industry experts.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The categories are designed to recognize the industry’s movers and shakers.
Qualiifying Criteria
Nominees and categories are aimed at end-users, not solution providers.
Award Categories
Awards presentation and reception will be held after the main conference.

QUALIFYING CRITERIA

General Nomination Criteria

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There are no limits on the number of nominations submitted
Submit
Nominations must all be submitted electronically using our form below
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Self-nominations are accepted

Specific Category Nomination Criteria

To qualify for Deal of the Year, the transaction must adhere to the following criteria: The deal must have been exited or closed between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

For more information and to discuss your company's involvement, contact us.

JUDGING PROCESS

A committee of industry leaders will judge all nominations. The judging will be conducted independently to ensure that all eligible nominations are processed and evaluated securely, equally and confidentially.

JUDGING CRITERIA

  1. Deal of the Year will be judged on the following criteria:
    • Deal profile (30% of the score)
    • Deal challenges (30% of the score)
    • Deal outcome (40% of the score)
  2. All other categories will be judged on the following criteria:
    • Professional/Firm’s profile (20% of the score)
    • Professional/Firm’s unique attributes and industry impact (40% of the score)
    • Professional/Firm’s activity (40% of the score)

 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Judging Panel
  • Join the most respected players in the sector, gaining increased credibility and exposure as a judge.
  • Benefit from excellent networking opportunities. The connections a judge makes often evolve into successful collaborations.
Spotlight
  • Prior to the delivery of each award, the presenter has the opportunity to recognize both the industry and the category.
  • This allows for the sponsor/judge to leverage their thought leadership and stand out at an important industry awards event.
Social Media
  • iGlobal Forum will highlight your participation through our social media channels, including sharing a photograph of you handing the award to the winner.
  • You will own the IP and can use the images, as well as the fact that you are a Judge, to further promote your business.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Roger Kowalski at roger@iglobalforum.com

Meet Our Judges

Claudine Cohen

Managing Principal, Value360 Practice, CohnReznick

Sylvie Gadant

Managing Partner, Transaction Advisory Services Partner, Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC

Mark Hauser

Founder and Managing Partner,  Tamarix Equity Partners

Grant Kornman

Partner, Align Collaborate

Michael Kornman

Partner, Align Collaborate

Javier Davila

Principal, o15 Capital Partners

Harry Savage

Vice Principal at o15 Capital Partners

Douglas Song

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Prodos Capital

Charles Scripps

Managing Partner, Black Lake Capital

Ryan Sullivan

Managing Director, North Park Group.

CONFIDENTIALITY

iGlobal Forum and its judges will maintain the strictest confidentiality possible for all information provided. Upon the selection of Award Winners, only the transaction name, product/service name, dealmaker, and firm names will be publicized. While there may be a dollar range specified for a transaction, the actual value will not be published at any time.

2025 Gallery

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

The event will take place at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa located at 19999 W Country Club Dr, Aventura, FL 33180.

Book your seat

Join the Independent Sponsor & Capital Provider (ISCP) Club today

Building on iGlobal Forum’s long-standing success of connecting and matching over 1,000+ Independent Sponsors & Capital Providers since 2015, the mission of the ISCP Club is to unite all independent sponsors and capital providers into an exclusive community with access to industry content, an Independent Sponsor & Capital Provider Directory and live senior-level deal-making events. Join today to be listed in our directory of active players in the space.

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