2025 WIC Distinguished Contribution Award calls for application

The inaugural World Internet Conference (WIC) Distinguished Contribution Award Ceremony was held during the opening of the 2024 WIC Wuzhen Summit. The awards honored seven visionary individuals and 14 renowned enterprises from around the globe. The awardees came from diverse fields, including internet infrastructure, mobile communications, digital platforms, artificial intelligence, chip design, energy and power, and cybersecurity. Together, they showcased the vitality and diversity of the global internet ecosystem, inspiring more enterprises to contribute to its growth and to explore the limitless possibilities of the digital future.

Application for the 2025 Distinguished Contribution Award (Enterprise) is now open and will close at 17:00 (Beijing time) on August 15, 2025. If your enterprise embraces social responsibility by giving back through technology, drives innovation to lead industry transformation, or demonstrates strong growth potential to shape the digital landscape—please apply and let the world witness your impact.

How to apply

The application is open to all enterprises. Enterprises may apply directly or be nominated by WIC members. Council members and senior members can recommend up to 10 enterprises, and members of other categories can recommend up to 5 enterprises.

Please submit the application form before 17:00 (Beijing time), August 15, 2025, through the online application system:

https://awards.wicinternet.org

Selection Criteria

With the ongoing development of digitalization, networking, and intelligent technologies, the internet has become deeply integrated into various industries, continuously driving economic growth and the development of new quality productive forces. In light of this, the enterprise category of the award is open to all companies involved in internet technologies, business models, or ecosystems, in recognition of their active exploration and outstanding contributions to the internet field across different sectors.

To be eligible, enterprises need to support the vision of the WIC, and meet the basic criteria as well as the additional criteria in the selected category. Each enterprise can apply in up to two categories. Enterprises that have previously received an award must wait at least one year before reapplying in the same category.

(1) Social Contribution Category

a) Basic Criterion

The enterprise proactively assumes corporate social responsibility. It sets relevant strategic goals and integrates them into daily operations, promoting global sustainable development.

b) Additional Criteria

The enterprise proactively engages in international cooperation and enhances connectivity, cultural exchange and mutual learning, digital economy and cyber security, etc.

The enterprise is a leading business in the industry and makes significant contributions to economic growth, job creation, etc.

The enterprise makes significant contributions to social development through other means.

(2) Innovative Breakthrough Category

a) Basic Criterion

The enterprise's core strategy centers on innovation, which is marked by substantial investments in innovation and transformations of ideas into products, services, projects or business models, resulting in strong market benefits.

b) Additional Criteria

The enterprise develops product or service innovations that effectively address industry challenges and meet evolving market needs.

The enterprise establishes innovative business models that transcend traditional frameworks, maximizing value creation.

The enterprise achieves operational and management innovation, such as digitalization, talent management and process optimization, driving efficiency and enhancing overall management.

The enterprise demonstrates innovative breakthroughs in other areas, or leverages internet-related solutions to achieve other innovative breakthroughs.

(3) Growth Potential Category

a) Basic Criterion

The enterprise has been in existence for no more than 10 years (officially founded on or after May 16, 2015). It exceeds industry growth averages and has built a competitive advantage within a niche market.

b) Additional Criteria

The enterprise has demonstrated notable business growth in recent years.

The enterprise exhibits strong growth potential, driven by core competitive advantages in technology, business models or operational management.

The enterprise shows exceptional potential for future growth through other means.

Timeline

Application (Now-August 15): Enterprises can submit application materials online.

Review (August 15-August 31): Renowned global experts and leaders in relevant fields will review the application materials and select the winners

Award Ceremony Preparation (Early September-before 2025 Wuzhen Summit): The organizers will notify representatives of shortlisted enterprises, who will provide relevant materials for the ceremony.

Award Ceremony (During 2025 Wuzhen Summit): The ceremony will be held during the opening ceremony of the Wuzhen Summit.

Contact

Ms. Zhao
zhaoxinyu@wicinternet.org

Mr. Ji
jihongyang@wicinternet.org

Email
contribution@wicinternet.org