The Austin Under 40 Awards set a higher standard than most business and industry recognitions. Since 1998, AU40 has honored young leaders who excel not only in their professional careers but also in their dedication to serving and strengthening the Austin community. To be selected as a finalist or winner, nominees must demonstrate excellence in both areas.
More than 70 past winners and business leaders serve as judges each year. Applications are carefully reviewed and scored on two key areas:
Career achievement (60%) – professional accomplishments and industry leadership
Community impact (40%) – leadership and impact on the greater Austin community
Each application is evaluated and scored by at least three judges, with the top-ranked nominees becoming five finalists in each of the 18 award categories.
Applicants must submit:
Written responses about their professional achievements and community impact
A résumé or link to their LinkedIn profile
At least one letter of recommendation
Finalists will be announced in early March 2026, and category winners will be revealed live at the Austin Under 40 Awards Gala on May 9, 2026, at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin.
Who can be nominated?
Nominations can be made for any community leader under the age of 40 as of May 9, 2026. The exception is the Mentor of the Year awards category, where nominees should be over the age of 40 at the time of the award ceremony.
Who cannot be nominated?
Board members or committee chairs of the Young Men’s Business League serving at any point since May 10, 2025 are ineligible for the 2026 Austin Under 40 Awards. The 2025 Austin Under 40 Awards gala committee is also ineligible for the 2026 Austin Under 40 Awards.
Can I nominate myself?
Yes, all applications will be subjected to a rigorous judging process regardless of who makes the nomination.
Can I be nominated in more than one category?
Yes. However, nominees can only be judged in one category which will be chosen by the nominee at the time of application.
Does being nominated multiple times in one award year help my chances of winning?
No. The number of nominations for an individual is not considered in selecting the winners. The judges will only consider one application per nominee.
Can I be nominated if I have been nominated in years past, or if I have been a finalist in years past?
Yes. Past finalists and nominees may be nominated again. However, past winners are not eligible to apply for an industry category Austin Under 40 Award.
Can I be nominated if I have already won an AU40 award in the past?
You may only ever win one category award, even if you now work in a different industry. You may only win in two different years if you win a category award while under the age of 40, and then go on to win a Mentor of the Year award after age 40. As a category winner, you may only apply for Mentor of the Year if 1) at least 7 years have passed since you won a category award, and 2) you have not been an AU40 judge during either of the two previous years.
When is the deadline to submit a nomination?
Applications must be submitted by January 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Now that I’ve been nominated, when is the deadline to submit my application?
Nominees must submit their applications by January 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
I was told I was nominated but never received an email.
If you were told you were nominated but never received an email notifying you of your nomination, double check your spam folder. If you still have not found the email, please contact [email protected]. You may also simply submit an application without a nomination.
If I have been nominated, can I also submit a nomination for someone else?
Yes. Nominations are open to the general public, and there is no limit on the number of nominations anyone can submit.
How are applications scored? What is the judging criteria?
Each application is scored by at least three judges using a rubric that weighs all application materials 60% for career achievement and 40% for community ipmact. Applicants will be required to provide a resume or LinkedIn profile link, as well as at least one letter of recommendation.
When will finalists be announced?
Finalists will be announced in March 2026.
When will winners be announced?
Winners will be announced at the gala on May 9, 2026.