About DAFES AWARDS
We established the international competition program DAFES AWARDS to encourage creative achievements, share experiences and form guidelines for professional development in design, art, fashion, education and business.
DAFES AWARDS is awarded in five profiles, 20 categories and 80 nominations, as well as various partner nominations that we form together with educational and creative institutions.
About the nomination
This nomination is dedicated to innovative and creative ideas that transform traditional industries or set new directions in business.
Creators of creative startups in the field of fashion, design, art, digital services and services that have the potential to become commercially successful and recognised in the media products are welcome to participate.
Terms of participation
Both concepts and projects that have been implemented or published between November 1, 2023, and October 12, 2025, are accepted for professional nominations.
While confirmation of publication or implementation is not required for a project to participate in the competition, the jury may request verification from the competition organizers in disputed cases.
Requirements to projects
Experts in the field of launching and developing creative startups will evaluate projects in the following nominations:
- Creative Problem Solving: Projects that offer innovative solutions to existing problems in the industry, society or the environment. - Creative Design and Innovation: Focus on unique design solutions, new products or technologies that create an unusual impression and user experience. - Creative Approach to a Business Model: For startups that have implemented non-standard monetization, marketing or management strategies that ensure rapid growth.
All projects are submitted to the competition in the format of a longread-format report created on the DAFES platform.
Criteria
To determine winners who demonstrate outstanding creativity in entrepreneurship, the jury will evaluate projects based on these criteria:
- Creativity and originality of the idea: How unique and innovative the business concept is, its potential to inspire the target audience. - Impact on the industry: How the project affects the development of the industry, creates new trends or expands the boundaries of existing markets. - Commercial potential: Viability of the business model, monetization strategy, prospects for growth and scaling of the project. - Quality of Execution: Level of professionalism in execution, including design, production, marketing and customer service. - Sustainability and social responsibility: Commitment to environmental and social responsibility, long-term strategy for sustainable development. - Project presentation: The quality and credibility of the project presentation on the platform.
Jury
Olga Egorova — is the curator of the Media and Design program at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Natalia Platonova — is a lecturer of the Creative Entrepreneurship course at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Olga Vapnyarskaya is the Deputy Director of the Institute for the Development of Creative Industries at HSE
Ivan Svirin is the director of the HSE DESIGN LAB
Alexander Baru is the head of the Art of Advertising program at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Nikolay Oblapokhin is a lecturer of the Art Practice in Creative Methods program at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Dmitry Andryashkin is a lecturer of the Digital Product and Artificial Intelligence program at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Stas Zhitsky is a teacher of the Art Practic in the «Communication Design — Yerevan» bachelor’s program, a teacher of the Birth of a Brand elective at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Alexander Alekseev is a teacher of the Digital Product and Artificial Intelligence program at HSE ART AND DESIGN SCHOOL
Registering and uploading a project
To upload a project, select a tag with the name of one selected subnomination: «Creative Problem Solving», «Creative Design and Innovation» or «Creative Approach to Business Models». After that, indicate the tag of the main nomination «Creative Entrepreneurship» and submit the project.
The step-by-step way to create an account and create a project on the platform to participate in the contest is described in the instructions.
Stages of the competition
Project submission deadline — October 12, 2025 Voting proccess — October 13 to 19, 2025 Invitation of participants and preparation for the ceremony — October 20 to November 7, 2025
Awarding ceremony
The award ceremony for the winners will take place on November 21, 2025
Contacts