BIV is accepting nominations for its 2026 Forty under 40 Awards program. Now in its 37th year, this program recognizes outstanding B.C.-based entrepreneurs, executives, professionals and leaders who have achieved remarkable success before the age of 40, and who share a deep commitment to community.
Nominations for the 2026 program close July 15 at 12 p.m. All applications are reviewed by BIV's team and all eligible nominations are shared with a volunteer judging committee that will select 40 individuals to recognize in 2026. The committee includes BIV's editor-in-chief and Forty under 40 alumni. Winners will be selected and announced in late summer.
The Forty under 40 Class of 2026 will join an alumni community of more than 1,400 individuals who are making significant contributions to life, work, industry and philanthropy in British Columbia.
Eligibility:
The following criteria must be met in order for an individual to be eligible for this awards program. A nominee must:
- Be 39 years of age or younger on December 31, 2026
- Be a resident of British Columbia
- Conduct most of their work and volunteer activity in B.C.
- Have not previously received a Forty under 40 Award
Individuals who have previously been nominated and have not won this award are eligible.
What you will need:
- A completed nomination form
- An up-to-date CV that includes the nominee's contact information
- Two letters of support
- A high-resolution headshot
Judging criteria:
Winners are selected based on their successes and contributions across four broad areas: Career achievement; innovation, vision and leadership; power and influence; and community involvement. Each success journey is different, and judges will consider the context for success, such as the challenges an individual may have overcome in order to progress and excel in their career.
This awards program has proudly recognized individuals outside of business, such as leaders in health care, the non-profit sector and sport. In these cases, a clear connection to business must be established, either through entrepreneurial efforts or industry engagement.
In considering each candidate, judges will use the following weighting:
30% Career achievement
- Significant business accomplishments
- Career advancement
- Company/organization contributions
- Past distinctions and awards
- Professional designations, certifications and licences
- Educational qualifications
30% Innovation, vision and leadership
- Innovation in business
- Industry and team leadership
- Industry disruption
20% Power and influence
- Committee, board or task force appointments
- Roles in key decision-making
20% Community involvement
- Board or committee member of an industry association
- Member of an industry association
- Participation as a mentor
- Non-profit and community work
Notes:
- All information in the nomination package must be accurate and may be published if a nominee is selected as a winner.
- Nominations will be fact-checked.
- To ensure accuracy, we strongly recommend working with a nominee, and putting their name forward with their knowledge.
- Background checks will be completed on short-listed nominees, results from which may disqualify a nominee.
- A $100 fee will be collected via credit card to submit a nomination.
- Once submitted, information cannot be edited.
- Nominators may submit nominations for more than one individual.
- Self-nominations are accepted.
- Please do not submit multiple nominations for one individual.
- Please do put past nominees forward for this year's program.
Completed nominations, including supporting materials, must be received by BIV no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.