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Home » About SBA » Organization » Observances » National Small Business Week » National Small Business Week Awards » Veteran Small Business of the Year

Veteran Small Business of the Year

Information about eligibility and how to submit a nomination package for the Veteran Small Business of the Year Award.

This award celebrates the vital role veteran-owned small businesses play in our economy and communities. Eligible nominees must be an honorably discharged veteran or service-disabled veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Award eligibility

Who is eligible to be nominated for this award?

Nominees for this award must meet the following eligibility requirements. 

  1. 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. Must be a veteran or service-disabled veteran honorably discharged from a branch of the US Armed Services.
  4. 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, Veterans 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 Veteran Small Business of the Year Award at the Regional 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.
  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.
  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. High resolution digital photo of 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?

SBA will make Veteran Small Business of the Year awards to eligible small businesses at the District, Regional, and National levels.  

  1. District offices will select one winner to compete at the regional level.  
  2. The Regional offices will select one winner to compete at the national level.  
  3. The National Veteran Small Business of the Year will be selected by the SBA Administrator based on, but not restricted to, the recommendations of a panel of judges of federal employees.  

Need help?

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