Small Business Person of the Year

Nominees from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam will compete for the title of the National Small Business Person of the Year, SBA’s signature award. Nominees must demonstrate success in business as well as contributions to their local communities. Previous award winners include Humtown Products, NTL Industries, Inc, Superstition Meadery, Landmark Pest Management, Maui Brewing Company, Equator Coffee & Teas, Pacifica, and Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Award eligibility

Who is eligible to be nominated for this award?

Nominees for this award must meet the following eligibility requirements. 

1. Any U.S. citizen or U.S. national who has their principal residence in the United States, its territories or possessions, who owns 51% of a business and operates a small business for a minimum of three years prior to being nominated may be nominated. Partners who jointly own and operate a small business may be nominated as a “team” so long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four.
2. Must be in good standing on any federal obligations.
3. Individuals who have received at least one type of SBA assistance such as, but not limited to, an SBA loan, SCORE counseling, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assistance, Veteran’s Business Outreach Center (VBOC) assistance, Women’s Business Center (WBC) assistance, government contracting assistance, disaster assistance, Boots to Business programs, or participation in an SBA-funded, veteran-focused program. 

Who is NOT eligible to be nominated for this award?

1. Individuals who have received the Small Business Person of the Year Award at the State level within the past three years;
2. Elected officials;
3. Individuals or teams who own or operate a business defined as “other than small” (i.e. large businesses) for its primary industry under the applicable SBA size standards; or
4. Individuals or firms who are currently suspended or debarred by the Federal government.

Who may submit nominations for this award? 

1. Individuals or organizations dedicated to the support of the small business community in the United States such as trade and professional associations and business organizations may submit nominations for the Small Business Person of the Year award.
2. Individuals may self-nominate.

How to apply

What information must the nomination package contain?

Nominations must contain the information below. Incomplete nomination packages will not be considered.

1. A completed SBA Form 3300, Award Nominee Background form. For “team” nominations, a background form is required for each team member.
2. A completed Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials form. For “team” nominations, a release form is required for each team member.
3. A completed SBA Form 3301, Small Business Awards nomination form.
4. A high-resolution digital photo of the nominee – at least 300 DPI is required. For “team” nominations, a photo of each nominee or group photo is acceptable.
5. Additional supporting documentation deemed significant by the nominator, including news clips, letters of recommendation, nomination letter (if not self-nominated), and other evidence of the appropriateness of the nomination. Supporting documentation may not exceed 10 pages. Videos will not be considered. 

Where are the nomination packages to be sent? 

All nomination packages must be submitted electronically to the 2027 BOX upload link.  Nomination packages should be scanned and submitted as one full document. Photo should be submitted as a separate attachment.

When is the deadline for nomination packages?

Nomination packages must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. ET, December 7, 2026. 

How is the winner selected?

What are the evaluation/selection criteria?

In evaluating the nomination packages, the judges will look at the following criteria: 

1. Staying power: A proven track record of stability and business expansion (e.g., physical growth, new territories, or exporting).
2. Financial performance and growth: Consistent growth in number of employees, net profit, gross/net revenue and net worth
3. Community and economic impact: Demonstrated investment of personal time and resources into enriching the local community and strengthening the American economy.

What are the selection procedures?

Small Business Persons of the Year Award winners will be selected at the State and National levels.

1. SBA district offices will select the top three nominees.  
2. SBA districts that serve more than one state will select the top three nominees for each state. The following areas are affected: 
   • The Washington DC Metropolitan Area District Office will select nominees for both Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland.  
   • The Kansas City District Office will select nominees for both Missouri and Kansas.  
   • Nominees located in Washington State, Oregon, and Idaho will be judged according to their state, not their service area by SBA office. For example, nominees located in Southeast Oregon will be judged by the Portland District Office even though they may be in the Boise District Office service area. 
3. State winners and the National Small Business Person of the Year, First and Second Runners Up will be selected by the Administrator based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of a panel of judges of federal employees. 
4. Nominees who are not selected as state winners may be recognized as District-level winners.   

Need help?

If you have questions, please contact smallbusinessweek@sba.gov.