About the Future Texas Business
Legend Awards
2027 Selection Process
The 2026 Future Texas Business Legend Awards application is now closed. Please check back in November 2026 for updated award information, eligibility and timelines for our 2027 applications.
Please note that the Future Texas Legend Veteran Awards now have a new nomination-based process. Visit the new Veteran page for more details.
Awards Program Mission
The Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation’s mission is to honor and empower the very best entrepreneurial business leaders who embrace success as a commitment to others. For over 40 years, the Texas Business Hall of Fame has honored the most transformative entrepreneurs and innovators in our state and used its resources to award entrepreneurs dedicated to enhancing Texas’ economic landscape.
Each year, the Foundation’s Board of Directors awards grants to emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs whose leadership and entrepreneurial skills merit recognition. We seek award recipients who want to become an active part of the TBHF network and leverage the network to enrich themselves and others.
Types of Future Texas Business Legend Awards
Scholar Awards
Executive Leadership Award
High School Awards for
Teachers and Students
Each year, the Future Texas Business Legend Awards program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated entrepreneurial and business leadership excellence. Recipients are awarded cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $20,000. In addition to the financial award, our recipients gain lifetime access to the most prestigious network of business leaders in the state—the Texas Business Hall of Fame.
Texas-based applicants are awarded in four categories: Scholar (undergraduate and graduate students who are entrepreneurs/founders), Executive (students pursuing an MBA), high school (student entrepreneurs/founders), and high school business teachers. Continue reading to review the types of awards we offer, eligibility, and application timelines.
Future Texas Business Legend Scholar Awards
The Future Texas Business Legend Scholar Awards are given to students from Texas universities who demonstrate entrepreneurial success and the strong potential to continue building and leading companies in Texas. Recipients receive $15,000 awards.
The 2027 Future Texas Business Legend Scholar Award applications will open in November of 2026. Please contact Patrice Bartlett at pbartlett@texasbusiness.org with questions.
Future Executive Leader of Distinction (FELD)
Unlike our traditional awards that focus on entrepreneurs, we will award two MBA students in 2026 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership on their path to the c-suite and wants to continue working in a corporate environment. Recipients receive $15,000 awards.
The 2027 FELD Award applications will open in November of 2026. Please contact Patrice Bartlett at pbartlett@texasbusiness.org with questions.
Teacher of Excellence Awards
The Texas Business Hall of Fame Teacher of Excellence Award recognizes two outstanding business, CTE or entrepreneurship high school teachers—one in greater San Antonio and one in Dallas-Fort Worth—who are inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Recipient receive $15,000 awards.
The 2027 Teacher of Excellence Award applications will open in November of 2026. Please contact Patrice Bartlett at pbartlett@texasbusiness.org with questions.
Outstanding High School Entrepreneur Awards
The Texas Business Hall of Fame recognizes two exceptional Texas high school entrepreneurs annually. Recipients receive $2,000 awards.
The 2027 Outstanding High School Entrepreneur Award applications will open in November of 2026. Please contact Patrice Bartlett at pbartlett@texasbusiness.org with questions.
