AWARDS & HONORS
Anu Shah’s entrepreneurship journey has been shaped by hands-on engagement with early-stage ventures, emerging markets, and the realities of building companies under constrained and evolving ecosystems. Across geographies, her work reflects multiple modes of entrepreneurship—advising founders, building platforms from the ground up, operating as a founding leader within venture-backed startups, and contributing to early-stage product development.
2026 — Invitation to International Advisory Board
Leeds University Business School | University of Leeds
Following her recognition as a recipient of the British Council Global Entrepreneur Award and NISAU UK’s 75 Under 75 distinction, Anu was personally invited to join its International Advisory Board at the University of Leeds. The appointment is extended by invitation only and reflects institutional recognition of sustained global leadership across entrepreneurship, technology, and impact-driven innovation.
The International Advisory Board provides independent external guidance to the School’s Executive leadership, supporting strategy, corporate engagement, and global positioning. Members are selected from senior leaders across industry, academia, and public institutions who embody international distinction and sector influence.
2023 — NISAU UK: 75 Under 75 (Class of 2023)
Recognised by the National Indian Students and Alumni Union UK (NISAU UK) as one of the 75 most impactful Indian alumni of UK universities worldwide. The 75 Under 75 honour was instituted to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence and celebrates Indian leaders whose UK education has translated into exceptional global impact across business, entrepreneurship, public service, culture, and social leadership.
The 2023 cohort included globally recognised figures such as Adar Poonawalla, Parineeti Chopra, and Soha Ali Khan, among others. Selection is highly competitive and based on demonstrated leadership, influence, and sustained contribution, making this one of the most visible recognitions of the Indian-UK alumni diaspora.
2021 — British Council: Global Entrepreneur Award
Recipient of the Global Entrepreneur Award under the Study UK Alumni Awards, administered by the British Council.
The Study UK Alumni Awards attract over 10,000 applications globally, drawing candidates from more than 100 countries and across diverse sectors. Winners are selected through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process assessing innovation, leadership, scalability, and measurable global impact. As a result, the award is widely regarded as one of the most competitive and prestigious recognitions for UK-educated alumni worldwide, conferred on a very small number of category winners each year.
2021 — Forbes India: Business Legend
Recognised by Forbes India as a Business Legend, a distinction associated with sustained, long-term influence in business and entrepreneurship.
Forbes India is part of the globally respected Forbes network, known for its editorial independence, rigorous standards, and authority in business journalism. Unlike cohort-based or annual awards, the Business Legend recognition is a select editorial designation, reflecting enduring leadership, credibility, and legacy-level contribution, rather than short-term success or momentum.
2018 — Woman Icon Asia
Honoured as Woman Icon Asia in recognition of leadership, resilience, and influence across Asia’s business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The award celebrates women who have broken barriers, built lasting professional impact, and emerged as role models, particularly in complex or traditionally male-dominated environments. Selection emphasises professional excellence alongside broader societal and leadership influence.
2018 — New York Achievers Award
Recipient of the New York Achievers Award, recognising professional excellence and leadership with cross-border impact in business and entrepreneurship.
The award was conferred at a high-profile gala associated with The Inspirational Achievers (TIA) Awards, organised by Roshni Media Group (now affiliated with the RAYWA Foundation). The event brought together achievers, industry leaders, and cultural figures, and featured appearances and participation by internationally recognised entertainers including Lindsay Lohan and Jay Sean.
2012 — Cranfield MBA Regatta
Recipient of the Cranfield MBA Regatta distinction during the MBA programme at Cranfield School of Management. The regatta is a highly competitive, team-based leadership challenge involving leading UK business schools, designed to assess collaboration, strategic thinking, and execution under pressure.
This win marked a historic first for the University of Leeds, with the team securing victory at the regatta for the first time. In recognition of this milestone achievement, the Dean of the University of Leeds personally extended an invitation to acknowledge the accomplishment — underscoring its significance at an institutional level. The achievement is widely regarded as an early indicator of leadership capability, reflecting performance, teamwork, and resilience in a high-pressure, inter-university competitive environment.