Key facts
- Payoneer India has launched the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026.
- The awards are in association with The Economic Times.
- Nominations are now open for businesses and entrepreneurs.
- An awards gala will take place in New Delhi in September 2026.
- There are 16 award categories covering various aspects of cross-border trade.
- An independent jury will evaluate nominees based on predefined criteria.
Payoneer India, in collaboration with The Economic Times, has launched the Payoneer India Cross-Border Excellence Awards 2026. These awards are designed to formally recognize Indian businesses and entrepreneurs who are significantly contributing to the country's expanding cross-border commerce.
The initiative comes at a time when India's services exports have reached a record $387.6 billion in FY2025, marking a 13.6% year-on-year increase. Projections also indicate that the country's e-commerce exports could reach between $200 billion and $300 billion by 2030, aligning with the government's ambitious target of $2 trillion in exports by 2030-31.
Gaurav Shisodia, Vice President and Country Manager of Payoneer India, highlighted the diverse range of businesses shaping India's cross-border economy, including IT services, SaaS, digital marketing firms, e-commerce sellers, D2C brands, regional exporters, and women entrepreneurs. He emphasized the importance of recognizing these entities for their role in building global customer bases, entering new markets, and creating employment within India.
The awards feature 16 categories designed to reflect the breadth of India's cross-border economy. These include specific tracks for service exporters (IT & Development, AI/ML, Digital Marketing, SaaS/B2B, Managed Services, EdTech) and e-commerce exporters (Fashion & Apparel, Home & Kitchen, Personal Care, Health & Wellness). Additional independent categories recognize D2C Cross-Border Brands, Global Employers, Women in Export Excellence, and Company Incorporation Partners. Three regional awards will also be presented for North, South, and West/East India.
An independent jury comprising senior industry figures will evaluate shortlisted nominees. The assessment criteria are weighted, with growth and scale accounting for 40%, market reach and geographic diversification for 30%, innovation and differentiation for 15%, employment and community impact for 10%, and digital infrastructure and payments readiness for 5%.
The awards ceremony will be held at an exclusive gala in New Delhi in September 2026, accompanied by a conference program. The conference will cover topics such as policy shifts, digital infrastructure, trade reforms, global scaling strategies for service businesses, and the implications of new free trade agreements. Winners will receive recognition across Payoneer and The Economic Times platforms, reaching a wide audience of investors, global partners, and decision-makers.