3rd INDEPENDENT SPONSOR AWARDS ®:

Recognizing the outstanding achievements across the industry, the Independent Sponsor Awards ® are back for 2025!

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 18th Independent Sponsors 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 18th Independent Sponsors Summit on March 4.

 

AWARD CATEGORIES

Deal of the Year (2024)

  • Celebrates the most impactful and innovative transaction of the year.

Innovation in Deal Structuring

  • For creative and effective deal structures.

Social Impact Award

  • Acknowledges individuals making a positive community or environmental impact.

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Honors those who have shown exceptional expertise, mentorship, and dedication to advancing the industry

Independent Sponsor of the Year

  • Celebrates outstanding leadership and influence in the industry.

Emerging Independent Sponsor of the Year (< 3 years)

  •  Recognizes a promising newcomer with significant early contributions

Capital Provider of the Year

  • Honors a capital provider with exceptional support for independent sponsors.
AWARD-WINNERS_18ISS (3)

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, 2024, and December 31, 2024.

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

Bruce Lipian

Managing Director, StoneCreek Capital

Drew Adams

President, StoneCreek Capital

Nick-Jean Baptiste

Managing Partner, Jacmel Growth Partners

David Acharya

Managing Partner, Acharya Capital Partners

Tony Brindisi

Managing Partner, RTC Partners

Christopher Lee

Managing Partner, RTC Partners

Kenneth Mill

Managing Partner, Monroe Street Partners

James Illikman

Partner, Peninsula Capital Partners.

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

The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove

We are delighted to be able to welcome you back to in-person iGlobal events.  We are excited to bring this year's Summit to sunny Miami!  The event will take place at the The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove located at 3300 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133.

ROOM BLOCK

Discounted room blocks are available at Marriott Bonvoy.
 
Please reach out to steve@iglobalforum.com for further questions.
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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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