Entry phase under way for BAYERNS BEST 50

Each year, Bavaria's Ministry of Economic Affairs honours owner-managed companies with above-average growth in staff and sales with the BAYERNS BEST 50 award. This year will see the prize awarded for the thirteenth time. The closing date for entries is 30th April 2014. All companies based in Bavaria are eligible to enter, regardless of the nationality of their owners.

There is no room for modesty here: Bavaria's Ministry of Economic Affairs is clearly and simply looking for the best. More specifically, the search is on for the top 50 Bavarian companies who have succeeded in increasing both their number of staff and their sales more than average over the last five years. Attention is also paid to addressing the need for specialist staff: special prizes will be awarded to two companies who have made an outstanding commitment to education within their company.

Any owner-managed company based in Bavaria can take part in the competition. The owner's nationality is irrelevant, but he or she must be a member of the Management Board, Executive Board or Supervisory Board. An overview of the selection process lists further selection criteria.

Enter now! The two-page entry form does not take too long to complete. If you win, you will receive the award in person from Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs, Ilse Aigner. You would be in excellent company, as a look at previous winners winners shows.

The award ceremony will be held on 29th July 2014 in the Kaisersaal at Munich's Residenz. You could be one of the BEST 50 – as long as you don't miss the closing date for entries on 30th April 2014.

Good luck!