AVIATRA ACCELERATORS NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR 3rd ANNUAL WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Nominations Now Open To Women Entrepreneurs to Self-Nominate or Others Who Recognize Their Leadership & Impact

CINCINNATI, OH – July 13, 2026 – Aviatra Accelerators, the non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and championing women entrepreneurs, is accepting nominations in six categories now through August 9 for its 3rd annual Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The program, which encourages women entrepreneurs to self-nominate, honors exceptional achievements in these categories:

·       Woman Entrepreneur of The

·       Woman Health Entrepreneur

·       Woman Social Impact Entrepreneur

·       Woman Tech Entrepreneur

·       Young Woman Entrepreneur (under age 23)

·       Veteran Woman Entrepreneur (honorably discharged women who are veterans of the US Armed Forces)

To be considered, nominees must be the majority owner of a business currently in operation,  registered and based in Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana, Greater Cincinnati or Dayton, Ohio, and be an active owner with managerial, operational and financial oversight. Program sponsors include DAV, Central Bank, Forcht Bank, Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses at Cincinnati State, Square 1, ECDI, PNC Bank and Huntington Bank.

"Remarkable women entrepreneurs power our region. By recognizing their accomplishments, we celebrate their vision and resilience, while inspiring the next generation of women to pursue their own entrepreneurial ambitions,” said Jill Morenz, President and CEO of Aviatra Accelerators. The selection committee, comprised of recognizable business leaders, will thoughtfully review and assess the nominations according to criteria for each award.  

Nominations for the Aviatra Accelerators Woman Entrepreneur of the Year awards will close on Thursday, August 9 at 11:59 PM. Members of the community are encouraged to nominate women entrepreneurs who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and a commitment to excellence in their respective fields. For more details about the award categories & parameters, or  to submit a nomination, visit https://www.aviatraaccelerators.org/weoy-award-nominations.

Finalists will be recognized and winning women entrepreneurs will be recognized during Aviatra’s annual Flight Night on September 10, 2026, at the 20th Century Theater in Oakley. Flight Night will celebrate all women entrepreneurs, award finalists, and  the 2026 graduates of Aviatra’s 12-week MOMENTUM© Accelerator, an in-depth program that provides guidance across four pillars - Business Foundations, Finances, Customers and Growth – covering critical areas such as sales, marketing, funding, business planning and effective messaging.

About Aviatra Accelerators  

Celebrating sixteen years of supporting women on the rise to find the power to soar, Aviatra Accelerators, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, exists to empower women entrepreneurs, providing education, coaching, mentoring, networking, and access to capital. Aviatra’s programs are tailored to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs at all stages of the business cycle. With a presence in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio, Aviatra Accelerators has helped more than 6,000 women entrepreneurs create over 15,000 jobs and receive millions in funding, and its alumnae have generated a cumulative total of over $1 billion in earned revenues. For more about Aviatra and its women entrepreneur success stories, visit https://aviatraaccelerators.org.

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