Product categories

Companies may choose from over 100 categories in our 2025 Best in Biz Awards programs. Please see below for more details on the 24 Product categories.

All of the Executive categories are the same in both the 13th annual International and 15th annual North American business awards programs.

As always, companies are allowed and encouraged to submit multiple entries in multiple categories in Best in Biz Awards. The tips included in the right column offer some helpful suggestions on which entries can be easily repurposed for which additional categories.

Product innovation categories

Only entries in the “Best New” Product categories need to have launched since January 1, 2024. There are no launch date restrictions in any of the other Product categories, but we ask that you focus on achievements since January 1, 2024.

In the Product categories, Enterprise is defined as over 1,000 employees.

  • 01

Most Innovative Product of the Year

Submission should focus on innovations in terms of features, tools, patents, inventions, first-to-market developments etc.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the five product type subcategories:
a. Most Innovative Product of the Year – Enterprise
b. Most Innovative Product of the Year – Small or Medium Business (SMB)
c. Most Innovative Product of the Year – Healthcare and Medical
d. Most Innovative Product of the Year – Education
e. Most Innovative Product of the Year – Consumer

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the Innovator of the Year or Most Innovative Company of the Year categories.
  • 02

Most Innovative Service of the Year

Submission should focus on innovations in terms of features, tools, patents, inventions, first-to-market developments etc. Services may be offered in the enterprise, small or medium business, or consumer space.

Tip: Use this category submission to submit in the Innovator of the Year or Most Innovative Company of the Year categories.
  • 03

Most Innovative Product Line of the Year

Product lines can include a product line exclusively geared to enterprises, small/medium businesses or consumers, or a product line that includes a variety of products geared towards different types of customers. Submission should focus on innovations in terms of features, tools, patents, inventions, first-to-market developments etc.
Tip: On the one hand, other Product and Service of the Year submissions can frequently be re-used – or their parts combined – to also enter this category.
On the other hand, this category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the two other Product Line of the Year categories.
  • 04

Most Innovative Version of the Year

New versions of existing products or services must have launched since January 1, 2022. Submission should focus on innovations in terms of patents, inventions, first-to-market developments etc.
Tip: Use this category submission to submit in the Innovator of the Year or Most Innovative Company of the Year categories.
  • 05

Most Innovative Product Feature of the Year

Product feature can be offered in an existing product or service or be part of a completely new product, service or app. Submission should focus on innovations in terms of patents, inventions, first-to-market developments etc.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three product type subcategories:
a. Most Innovative Product Feature of the Year – Enterprise
b. Most Innovative Product Feature of the Year – Small or Medium Business (SMB)
c. Most Innovative Product Feature of the Year – Consumer

Tip: Use this category submission to also enter the Innovator of the Year or Most Innovative Company of the Year categories.
  • 06

Most Innovative App of the Year

Applications (apps) created for any type of mobile device or mobile platform are eligible. Submission should focus on innovations in terms of features, tools, patents, inventions, first-to-market developments etc.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the two other App of the Year categories.

General product categories

There are no launch date restrictions in the following Product categories, but we ask that you focus on achievements since January 1, 2024.

Enterprise is defined as over 1,000 employees.

  • 07

Enterprise Product of the Year

Enterprise products include hardware, software and any other types of products for enterprises and large businesses, regardless of the size of the company that creates them.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the eight product type subcategories:
a. Enterprise Product of the Year - Hardware
b. Enterprise Product of the Year – Financial Software
c. Enterprise Product of the Year – HR Software
d. Enterprise Product of the Year – Marketing Software
e. Enterprise Product of the Year – Sales Software
f. Enterprise Product of the Year – Security Software
g. Enterprise Product of the Year – Software (all other types of enterprise software)
h. Enterprise Product of the Year – Other (all other types of enterprise products)

Tip: Use this category submission in the Technology Department / Team or Executive, or Product Management / Development Department / Team or Executive categories.
  • 08

Enterprise Service of the Year

Enterprise services include software-as-a-service, consulting, financial, recruiting and any other services for enterprises and large businesses, regardless of the size of the company that creates them.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to enter Technology Department / Team or Executive, or Product Management / Development Department / Team or Executive categories.
  • 09

Small or Medium Business Product of the Year

Small and medium business products include hardware, software and any other types of products for small and medium-sized businesses, regardless of the size of the company that creates them.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the Technology Department / Team or Executive, or Product Management / Development Department / Team or Executive categories.
  • 10

Small or Medium Business Service of the Year

Small and medium business services include software-as-a-service, consulting, financial, recruiting and any other services for small and medium-sized businesses, regardless of the size of the company that creates them.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – in the Technology Department / Team or Executive, or Product Management / Development Department / Team or Executive categories.
  • 11

Consumer Product of the Year

Consumer products include hardware, software, and any other type of consumer products.
Tip: Use this category submission to also enter the Technology Department / Team or Executive, Creative Department / Team or Executive or Most Innovative Consumer Product of the Year categories.
  • 12

Consumer Service of the Year

Consumer services include software-as-a-service, financial, recruiting and any other type of consumer service.
Tip: Use this category submission to also enter the Technology Department / Team or Executive, Creative Department / Team or Executive or Most Innovative Consumer Product of the Year categories.
  • 13

Product Line of the Year

Product lines can include a product line exclusively geared to enterprises, small/medium businesses or consumers, or a product line that includes a variety of products geared towards different types of customers.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three product type subcategories:
a. Product Line of the Year – Enterprise and Small or Medium Business (SMB)
b. Product Line of the Year – Consumer
c. Product Line of the Year – Mixed (Business and Consumer)

Tip: On the one hand, other Product and Service of the Year submissions can frequently be re-used – or their parts combined – to also enter this category. On the other hand, this category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the two other Product Line of the Year categories.
  • 14

App of the Year

Applications (apps) created for any type of mobile device or mobile platform are eligible.

Updated for 2019 awards, winners in this category will be selected in each of the three app type subcategories:
a. App of the Year – Enterprise
b. App of the Year – Small or Medium Business (SMB)
c. App of the Year – Consumer

Tip: Use this category submission to submit in the Most Innovative App or Best New App of the Year categories, Technology Department / Team or Executive, or Product Management / Development Department / Team or Executive categories.

Green / sustainability product categories

There are no launch date restrictions in the following Product categories, but we ask that you focus on achievements since January 1, 2024.

Enterprise is defined as over 1,000 employees.

  • 15

Most Environmentally Friendly Product of the Year

This includes all products with an environmentally friendly / green component – this can include, but is not limited to, the product’s green certifications, mission, purpose, ingredients, origins, etc. Products can be geared towards consumers, small or medium businesses, or enterprises.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to support entries in the Most Environmentally Responsible Company of the Year or Environmentalist of the Year categories. Depending on circumstances, it could also be re-purposed in one of the Environmental Program of the Year categories or the Most Environmentally Friendly Product Line of the Year category.
  • 16

Most Environmentally Friendly Service of the Year

This includes all services with an environmentally friendly / green component – this can include, but is not limited to, the service’s green certifications, mission, purpose, components, origins, etc. Services can be geared towards consumers, small or medium businesses, or enterprises.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to support entries in the Most Environmentally Responsible Company of the Year or Environmentalist of the Year categories. Depending on circumstances, it could also be re-purposed in one of the Environmental Program of the Year categories or the Most Environmentally Friendly Product Line of the Year category.
  • 17

Most Environmentally Friendly Product Line of the Year

This includes all product lines with an environmentally friendly / green component – this can include, but is not limited to, the product line’s green certifications, mission, purpose, ingredients, origins, etc. Product lines can be geared towards consumers, small or medium businesses, or enterprises.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to support entries in the Most Environmentally Responsible Company of the Year or Environmentalist of the Year categories. Depending on circumstances, it could also be re-purposed in one of the Environmental Program of the Year categories or the Most Environmentally Friendly Product or Service of the Year categories.
  • 18

Most Environmentally Friendly App of the Year

This includes all apps with an environmentally friendly / green component – this can include, but is not limited to, the app’s energy usage, mission, goals, donations etc. Apps can be geared towards consumers, small or medium businesses, or enterprises.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used to support entries in the Most Environmentally Responsible Company of the Year or Environmentalist of the Year categories. Depending on circumstances, it could also be re-purposed in one of the Environmental Program of the Year categories.

New product launch categories

Entries in the “Best New” Product categories need to have launched since January 1, 2024.

Enterprise is defined as over 1,000 employees.

  • 19

Best New Product of the Year

Products must be a new offering launched for the first time since January 1, 2024, not a new version of an existing solution. Previously existing products newly launched into U.S. or Canadian markets since 2022 are eligible as well.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the five product type subcategories:
a. Best New Product of the Year – Enterprise
b. Best New Product of the Year – Small or Medium Business (SMB)
c. Best New Product of the Year – Healthcare and Medical
d. Best New Product of the Year – Education
e. Best New Product of the Year – Consumer

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the various other Product of the Year categories.
  • 20

Best New Service of the Year

Service must be a new offering launched for the first time since January 1, 2024, not a new version of an existing solution. Previously existing services newly launched into U.S. or Canadian markets since 2022 are eligible as well. Services may be in the enterprise, small or medium business, or consumer space.
Tip: Use this category submission – or parts thereof – to submit in the various other Service of the Year categories.
  • 21

Best New Product Line of the Year

Product lines can include a product line exclusively geared to enterprises, small/medium businesses or consumers, or a product line that includes a variety of products geared towards different types of customers. Product lines must be a brand new offering launched for the first time since January 1, 2024, not a new version of an existing solution. Previously existing product lines newly launched into U.S. or Canadian markets since 2024 are eligible as well.
Tip: On the one hand, other Product and Service of the Year submissions can frequently be re-used – or their parts combined – to also enter this category. On the other hand, this category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the two other Product Line of the Year categories.
  • 22

Best New Version of the Year

New versions of existing products or services must have launched since January 1, 2024.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three product type subcategories:
a. Best New Version of the Year – Enterprise
b. Best New Version of the Year – Small or Medium Business (SMB)
c. Best New Version of the Year – Consumer

Tip: Use this category submission to also enter the Most Innovative Version of the Year category.
  • 23

Best New Product Feature of the Year

To be eligible, new product feature must have been introduced since January 1, 2024. It can be offered in an existing product or service or be part of a completely new product or service.

Winners in this category will be selected in each of the three product type subcategories:
a. Best New Product Feature of the Year – Enterprise
b. Best New Product Feature of the Year – Small or Medium Business (SMB)
c. Best New Product Feature of the Year – Consumer

Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the Most Innovative Product Feature of the Year category.
  • 24

Best New App of the Year

Apps created for any type of mobile device or mobile platform are eligible. Apps must be a brand new offering launched for the first time since January 1, 2024, not a new version of an existing solution. Previously existing apps newly launched into U.S. or Canadian markets since 2024 are eligible as well.
Tip: This category submission can frequently be re-used – or parts of it re-purposed – to also enter the two other App of the Year categories.

Submission process

Any company from any industry based in or operating in U.S. or Canada is eligible to enter any of the more than 100 company, department / team, executive, product and CSR, media, PR and other award categories in the North American business awards. Any company based anywhere in the world – global or local – is eligible to enter any of the categories in the International business awards.

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