2025 Competition

Now in their 21st edition, the French American Business Awards recognize Excellence, Innovation, and Leadership based in New England and France.

This year, winners of the Innovation and Life Sciences Awards will receive a 2-night getaway voucher generously offered by Huttopia, to relax, recharge, and celebrate their success in nature.

The winner of the Prix VIE – New England will receive a $500 cash prize, generously offered by the French Foreign Trade Advisors (Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur or CCE) in recognition of their outstanding international contribution

We are welcoming application for the following awards:

Join us for the Awards Ceremony, on May 21, 2025 at UMass Club, Boston!

Early bird pricing available until April 30.

Get your Tickets Now!

2025 Awards Categories

Innovation Awards

2 categories: Start-Up / Scale-Up

Life Sciences Awards

2 Categories: Start-Up / Scale-Up

French Gourmet Award

Best of French Gastronomy in New England

Prix VIE - New England

Honoring Exceptional Contribution and Creativity.

Women in Business Award

Recognizing Inspiring Leadership, Impact, and Innovation by and for Women

Innovation Awards

The winner of each category will receive a 2-night getaway voucher offered by Huttopia.

Innovation Award - Start-Up Category

🏆 Game-Changing Innovation in Any Industry (Excluding Life Sciences)
Honors an early-stage startup in any industry (excluding Life Sciences) that has demonstrated exceptional innovation, disruptive potential, and scalability. This company brings new ideas, technologies, or business models to market, with the potential to transform its sector.

✅ Requirements: Fewer than 50 employees worldwide, developed a minimum viable product (MVP) but is still working toward market expansion, focused on achieving product-market fit

Innovation Award - Scale-up Category

🏆 Recognizing Growth and Industry Leadership in Innovation

This award celebrates a mid-sized company in any industry (excluding Life Sciences) that has demonstrated remarkable progress, industry leadership, and technological advancement. This company is driving innovation, expanding market influence, and achieving substantial business growth.

✅ Requirements: 50 to 500 employees worldwide, established technology/product and business model, proven market demand and revenue generation, focused on scaling operations, increasing market share, and driving industry impact.

Life Sciences Awards

The winner of each category will receive a 2-night getaway voucher offered by Huttopia.

Life Sciences Award - Start-Up Category

🏆 Innovation in Early-Stage Life Sciences
Honors a promising startup in the Life Sciences industry that demonstrates exceptional innovation, groundbreaking research, and strong potential for scalability. This company is shaping the future of healthcare, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals with transformative ideas.

✅ Requirements: Fewer than 50 employees worldwide, developed a minimum viable product (MVP) but is still working toward market expansion, focused on achieving product-market fit

Life Sciences Award - Scale-up Category

🏆 Recognizing Growth and Impact in Life Sciences.

This award celebrates a mid-sized company in the Life Sciences sector that has made significant advancements in healthcare, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals. This company has demonstrated strong industry impact, technological progress, and business growth while advancing medical innovation.

French Gourmet Award

🏆 Honoring the Best of French Gastronomy in New England

This award celebrates excellence in French-inspired cuisine and craftsmanship, recognizing a business that embodies the art de vivre and culinary savoir-faire of France. This company elevates French gastronomy in New England through exceptional quality, authenticity, and creativity in the food and beverage industry.

Whether a restaurant, café, bakery, or gourmet retailer, the winner of this award exemplifies the richness of French cuisine while embracing the diverse cultural influences of the region.

Prix VIE - New England

Win a $500 cash prize offered by the French Foreign Trade Advisors (Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur/CCE)!

🏆 Honoring Exceptional Contribution and Creativity

This award recognizes V.I.E/ V.I.A. participants who have demonstrated exceptional performance, contributed significantly to their host companies, and effectively navigated the challenges of international assignments.

Send a 2-minute video about your mission and experience as a VIE/ VIA. The winner will be selected by a Jury made up of representatives from FACCNE, Business France and the Conseillers du Commerce Exterieur, based on the following criteria:

1. Impact on Business Objectives: Assessment of the V.I.E’s contribution to the company’s growth, market expansion, and broader business development goals through their mission.

2. Adaptability to Local Culture: Evaluation of the V.I.E’s integration into the host country’s cultural and business environment, including cultural awareness and local community engagement.

3. Creativity and Originality of the Video: Review of the video’s originality, clarity, and ability to effectively and creatively present the V.I.E’s mission, contributions, and international experience.

Women in Business Award

🏆 Recognizing Inspiring Leadership, Impact, and Innovation by and for Women

This award recognizes an exceptional professional whose accomplishments reflect the mission and values of FACCNE’s Women in Business Network (FWBN): advancing women in the workplace, fostering meaningful connections, and inspiring others through leadership, innovation, and impact.

The Winner will be selected by a dedicated jury including the FWBN chairs, based on the following criteria:

1. Professional Impact – Demonstrated achievements and measurable results in her organization, industry, or community.

2. Innovation & Vision – A pioneering spirit that drives change through bold ideas, creative problem-solving, and forward thinking.

3. Inspiration – Serves as a role model by mentoring others, breaking new ground, and empowering those around her.

Why Apply?

By applying, companies and individuals gain an unparalleled opportunity for exposure among FACCNE’s extensive network, including industry leaders, investors, and executives. The winners will receive:

Recognition at an elegant evening with 150+ leaders and entrepreneurs during the French-American Awards Ceremony..
Increased visibility through FACCNE’s communications and media outreach.
A one-year FACCNE membership, providing exclusive networking and event access.
Special access to FACCNE team and board members, and to our network of C-level executives, investors, and partners.
Opportunity to be nominated for the 2026 CCI France International Awards, offering global recognition.

All the nominations will be seen by dedicated juries. Applications for the French Tech Company of the Year will be reviewed by two dedicated juries.

Requirements

Having a connection to France (French leadership, employees, branch office in France…)
Presence in the New England market, either through an established company or the continuous presence of employees.

- The competition is FREE TO ENTER
- You don't have to be a member of FACCNE to apply.
- Members of the FACCNE Board are not allowed to apply.

In addition, each year FACCNE enters the eligible FAB Awards winners in the Annual Trophees, organized by CCI France International. The awards are presented at a prestigious ceremony and gala dinner in Paris, under the patronage of French President Emmanuel Macron, offering major international visibility in the French economic press. The 2026 Trophees of CCI France International will be in June 2026. Past winners include Moderna and Pathmaker Neurosystems Inc.

If you have any questions regarding the competition or the purchase of individual tickets, please contact Ludivine Wolczik, FACCNE’s Executive Director at contact(@)faccne.org.

If you have any questions regarding sponsorship opportunities, please contact Maud Albrieux-Hollaender at event@faccne.org.