ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Unsure if a nominee meets all criteria? 

If you know of a ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú-owned or ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú-led business that you think meets the criteria, nominate them! Nominees will receive an application packet and can choose whether or not they will apply. There is no harm in nominating them for the process. 

Who can nominate a company?

Anyone can nominate a company! You don’t have to be a ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúan. Non-ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú alum are allowed to nominate their peers as well. You can even nominate yourself! The nominator's information is not made public.

Why do I see nomination and application dates? What does that process look like? 

In order to apply to RedHawk50 a company must first be nominated. Nominees will be notified Sept. 9 of their nomination. The application will be sent with the notification of nomination. Applications are open from the end of July through the end of September each year. Nominees will be notified and sent a unique application link during this period.

What is involved in the application process? 

The application form is relatively simple. A few checkboxes, answer a couple of questions related to the criteria and, along with the application, a Revenue Verification Form will be sent for submission to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Independent Accounting Partner. That's it!

Nominees will be notified of their nomination and an application will be sent subsequently.

What information is needed? 

The application form will ask for:

• Contact information
• Company’s conformance to RedHawk50 qualifications (company age, minimum revenue, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú former student ownership/leadership, and adherence to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Code of Honor).
• Revenue levels for the previous three years.

Can nonprofits, private equity companies or venture funds apply?

Yes, if they are organized as a 501c3.

How do I know if a/my company is eligible for the RedHawk50? 

If you know of a ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúan-owned or ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúan-led business that may meet the criteria, do not hesitate to complete the nomination form. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú will send the nominee an email and they can determine whether or not they meet the criteria.

Application cost? 

There is no cost associated with applying

Is there a need to reapply every year or can I do it just once and the application stays in the pool for years to come? 

Yes. Previous RedHawk50 honorees will be automatically nominated, but all companies must complete the application process every year.  

What does it mean to be a RedHawk company and who is listed as an honoree? 

The Company must meet one or more of the following three criteria:

• A ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University former student or group of former students must have owned 50% or more of the company for the timeframe being measured, or 
• A ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University former student must have served as the Company’s chief executive for the time frame being measured, or 
• Only the applicant and co-applicants will be listed as honorees.

Why should I apply? 

In addition to celebrating the companies’ success, the RedHawk50 provides a forum to pass lessons on to the next generation of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúan entrepreneurs.

The application form says “verifiable” revenue. How do you verify revenue? 

We need a way of verifying the company’s revenue levels. Some of the ways in which revenues can be verified include:

• Copy of audited, reviewed, or compiled financial statements.
• Copy of page 1 of tax return (you can block out other financial data on page 1 if you wish).
• Letter from external accountant attesting to revenue level.

If you have issues/concerns about any of these, feel free to contact us and we will work with you.

What is “revenue”?

The percentage of compound annual growth in revenues (net of returns), over a three-year period, i.e., use revenues for years 2022 (beginning period) and 2024 (ending period) to compute the 2025 RedHawk50.

When is the list released? 

The list will be published in early February 2026.

How can I be assured of confidentiality? 

Companies that meet the criteria will be asked to submit high-level financial and organizational information about the company—such as revenues, earnings, etc.— to an independent third-party public accounting firm. The independent accounting firm will tabulate the results. They will only report the results to the Institute for Entrepreneurship. The University will not see the revenue levels reported and they will not be made available to the press or any other groups. All companies can be assured that their financial information will be kept strictly confidential and entrusted exclusively to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s independent accounting partner. All documents and information will be received and safeguarded by the accounting firm to ensure and maintain the confidentiality of the information. 

What information will be released? 

We will publish the list of the 50 companies honored. The list will include the company name, city location, names of ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúan principals, year founded, and percentage growth rate. Actual revenue figures WILL NOT be published or otherwise released. There will be an article in The Journey - Farmer School of Business magazine which will feature a brief story on several companies. Those articles will focus on the company’s business (much like the information that can be found on the company’s website). They will not include financial or other statistical information. You may be called for an interview.

Where will the information be published? 

The RedHawk50 list will be publicized in The Journey - Farmer School of Business magazine, in press releases, on our website, in Institute newsletters, and/or similar channels. Specific information about revenues will NOT be published. The only statistical information that will be released will be the percentage growth rate. You may be interviewed by The Journey magazine staff for a feature. They will only include information you provide to them in that article.

• Honorees

• Honorees
• News Article