Click here to download our Call For Entries informational PDF.

Want to tell us your story? Here's what you can expect. The online submission process should take about five minutes. That is, if you already have an idea about what you want to tell us. We suggest writing out your entry in some other program, saving it, then copying and pasting it into the online entry form. Unfortunately, you won't be able to go back and edit your entry.

Step 1 - Choose one of six categories.

LEADERS.

Uncompromising executives who have created value through the power of their ideas and the depth of their commitment.

INNOVATORS.

Risk-takers at any level, whose courage and insight have piloted an unlikely success.

DISRUPTERS.

Scientists and engineers whose breakthrough advances have created new ways to live and work.

TRENDSETTERS.

Marketers, designers and artists whose tireless creativity has changed the way we look at the world.

RISING STARS.

People who will be setting the agenda in the future. Up-and-comers whose work promises to have a profound impact on the world.

WILD CARDS.

An open category for unsung heroes, truth-tellers, trailblazers and turnaround artists. Anyone fueled by passion, guided by integrity, and committed to results.

Step 2 - Share your story.

(1) Create your headline. Declare what you, your team, or your organization achieved. Be brief. Be bold. Tell us what you did. For example, "I chose not to fudge the numbers" or "We Reinvented the Widget Industry." This is where you grab our attention. (Keep it short -- we have to limit this to 50 characters.)

(2) Tell us what you do (or what your team or organization does) and the specific challenge did you face? Here's where you give us some key background information. Give us the quick facts about your role, team, organization or industry so we can understand the context of your success. Then, once you've set the scene, tell us what you were up against. What was the obstacle your team faced? Tell us why the stakes were high. (We suggest between 100-200 words.)

(3) How did you face your challenge? Tell us about the moment where you or your team were put to the test, the defining moment of leadership, innovation, creativity, or resilience: for example, a difficult decision you had to make; an obstacle you overcame; an idea that was finally sparked; a product or initiative you launched. (Fewer than 200 words.)

(4) What were the results? So what happened? What were the specific, measurable -- and hopefully, inspriring -- results? (We suggest between 100 - 200 words.)

All information submitted on an entry form must be original to the entrants and contain truthful and accurate information. We reserve the right to edit the entries. Any nominee whose entry fails to meet these criteria will be disqualified.

Tips for writing an unforgettable entry...

• Enter early. Don't wait for the deadline. This will allow more time for readers to submit supportive comments and get our attention.
• Get your colleagues to help. There were winners from last year's Fast 50 whose entries elicited such an outpouring of support from their colleagues, that we couldn't help but notice and celebrate their achievements too.
• Don't worry about the writing. We're just looking for rich details and the seeds of a great story.
• Stick within suggested word counts. We'll read whatever you submit, but keep in mind, we have limited space in our magazine and highly value a compelling story that can be told succinctly.
• Feel uncomfortable with writing about yourself? Try writing it in the third-person, or writing on behalf of your team.
• Forget submitting a PR release. Just have fun and tell us your story.
• Don't worry about the numerical ratings. They help us flag dynamic entries, but are just meant to be fun. They won't influence the judges.

Step 3 - Fill in your contact information.

The next step is providing your contact information so we can get in touch with you. Once you submit your entry, you'll be taken to a page which confirms the submission. You will also immediately receive an email confirming that we have received your entry.

Advancing to the next round

The Fast Company editorial team will review your entry (typically, within a few days of submission) and will determine whether it advances to the next round of judging. If your entry advances, we will notify you by email. We will also publish your entry on fastcompany.com before December 1, 2003. The entries will continue to be featured on the Web Site through the 2004 calendar year.

Ratings and Comments

All Web users will be able to read, rate and comment on these entries by using the Sound Off feature on fastcompany.com. Comments received through the Sound Off feature before December 1, 2003 AT 11:59 PM EST may have partial but not primary influence on the judges' final decisions. Fast Company reserves the right to remove any comments that it deems to be inappropriate or irrelevant.

Judging

The Fast Company staff and a panel of guest judges selected by Fast Company will select a total of fifty (50) winners among all six Fast 50 Categories. Winners will be notified by email by January 10, 2003.

Fast 50 entries will be judged based on the following criteria: the degree to which the entries are entertaining, instructional, relevant, and thought provoking for the Fast Company audience; the display of character demonstrated in the entries; and to a lesser extent, the comments submitted by Web Site users.

The 50 winners will be announced in the March 2004 issue of Fast Company Magazine. The winners' names will be also be posted on the Web Site on or about February 15, 2004.

Eligibility

Anyone over the age of 18 as of October 14, 2001 is eligible to participate in the Fast 50.

Only entries submitted electronically to the Web Site in accordance with these instructions will be considered. Fast Company reserves the right to disqualify, at any time, any and all nominations and entries that do not comply with these instructions. All entries and comments are subject to the editorial discretion of Fast Company staff members and will be subject to verification.

All nominees must we willing to be a subject of a feature article in Fast Company Magazine, to be available for interviews, and to provide requested information in connection to verification of entries and both Web-only and Magazine features. Any nominee who fails to comply with the foregoing will be disqualified.

The Fine Print

Neither G+J, its parent, subsidiary, or affiliate companies, nor its promotional agencies shall have any obligation or responsibility with regard to (i) entries that contain inaccurate information or that do not comply with these instructions; (ii) entries, prize claims, or notifications that are lost, late, incomplete, illegible, unintelligible, damaged, or otherwise not received by the intended recipient, in whole or in part, due to computer or technical error of any kind; (iii) telephone, electronic, hardware, software, network, Internet, or computer malfunctions, failures, or difficulties; or (iv) any damages or losses of any kind caused by any award or resulting from the acceptance of any award. G+J, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Web Site or otherwise disregarding these instructions. G+J further reserves the right to cancel, terminate, or modify the Fast 50 if it cannot be completed as planned because of infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, or technical failures of any sort.

All materials submitted in connection with the nominations and entries to the Fast 50 become the property of Gruner + Jahr USA Publishing ("G+J"), publisher of Fast Company Magazine, upon receipt and cannot be returned. Your submission of nominations and entries constitutes permission for G+J to use your email address and other submitted information for purposes of marketing and promotion.