2027 Judging Process
All entries will be reviewed by the Real Deals editorial team, who will identify a shortlist for each category.
In January 2027 we will contact all entrants to let them know whether or not they have been shortlisted, and the full shortlist will be published on our website.
Shortlisted entries are shared with a panel of judges comprised of senior representatives from leading LPs and PE firms. Judges will score all entries online before meeting in person for final deliberations.
The Private Equity Hall of Fame recipient is nominated by the Real Deals editorial team.
All winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 21 April 2027.
Tips for a winning submission
Our judges read hundreds of entries every year. Here's their advice:
Answer the question.
The most common reason a strong firm doesn't make the shortlist isn't a weak track record, it's a generic answer to a specific question.
Back it up with the right numbers.
Give us data for the exact period and geography we've asked for. If we want UK figures, don't send us global ones, and vice versa.
Lead with your best point.
Don't save your strongest material for the end. Tell us upfront why you should win, then use the rest of the submission to prove it.
Skip the jargon.
Every entrant says they're 'innovative' and 'market-leading'. Tell us what you actually did, in plain language.
Show us what's genuinely different.
Everyone in this industry is smart and experienced. The differentiator is showing us specifically what sets you apart.
Tell the story, not just the stats.
The submissions that stand out bring judges into the deal, the fund, or the team - what happened, what you did, and why it mattered.
Watch the videos below