Small Business Champion Awards
  • Small Business Exporter of the Year
  • SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year
  • Financial Services Champion of the Year
  • Home-Based Business Champion of the Year 
  • Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
  • Small Business Journalist of the Year
  • Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
  • Women in Business Champion of the Year
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses on the district level (in multi-district states), the state level (from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam), the regional level and the national level.  The National winners will be selected from the Regional winners.  Click here for the Evaluation Criteria for Small Business Champions Awards .

Who is eligible to be nominated for this award?

To be nominated and receive one of these awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award.  You may see the Evaluation Criteria for the Small Business Champion Awards here.

Small Business Exporter of the Year:  Any individual who owns and operates a small business engaged in exporting may be nominated.

SBA Young Entrepreneur of the Year:  To be considered a young entrepreneur, the individual must serve as a majority owner and operate or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with a three year track record, and who will not have reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2010.

Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year:  This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to another.  The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 15-year track record.

Financial Services Champion of the Year:  Individuals who assist small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.

Home-Based Business Champion of the Year:  Individuals who have experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning a home-based business and have volunteered to improve the climate for these businesses may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be current small business owners.

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year:  Individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to support minority entrepreneurship may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.

Small Business Journalist of the Year:  Journalists representing television, radio, electronic or print media who report and champion small business issues may be nominated.

Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year:  Individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to advancing small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be veterans.

Women in Business Champion of the Year:  Individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.

Nominees must also be residents of and employed in the United States or its territories and will be subject to background checks. Small businesses owned and operated by nominees must comply with federal civil rights laws.  Consult your nearest SBA district office if you have questions.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 14 October 2009 )