To be nominated and receive one of the following local awards, the small business nominee must fit within the category of the award, demonstrate success in business and complete and submit the required nomination package information. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.
After you read through the categories below, you can read the general guidelines and submit your nomination.
Entrepreneurial Success
Any individual who serves as a majority owner and operates a business that started “small” by SBA standards, then developed into a large business may be nominated. Up to four partners who jointly own and operate a business may be nominated as a team. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Family-owned business that has passed from one generation to another. Nominees must serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating the small business with at least a 15-year track record and show voluntary efforts to strengthen family-owned businesses in the community. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Home-Based Small Business Person of the Year
An individual who serves as majority owner for a small business with a 3-year track record operating primarily from their residence and a commitment to strengthen small businesses in the community may be nominated. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
An ethnic minority who serves as majority owner and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 3-year track record and a commitment to strengthen minority-owned businesses in the community may be nominated. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Rising Star Student Entrepreneur
A student enrolled in grades 6-12 at a Maryland-based educational institution who is the primary owner/operator of a small business with potential for long-term growth may be nominated. SBA assistance is NOT required.
Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
A U.S. Armed Forces Veteran who serves as majority owner and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 3-year track record and demonstrates voluntary efforts to strengthen veteran-owned businesses in the community may be nominated. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
A woman who serves as majority owner and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with at least a 3-year track record and a commitment to strengthen woman-owned businesses in the community may be nominated. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Any individual who serves as majority owner and operates or bears principal responsibility for operating a small business with a 3-year track record, and who will not have reached the age of 30 by June 1, 2024 may be nominated. Business must have received SBA assistance.
Accountant Advocate
Any individual who works in the field of accounting and has a commitment to educate and strengthen small businesses in the community may be nominated. SBA assistance is NOT required.
Attorney Advocate
An attorney with a commitment to educate and strengthen small businesses in the community may be nominated. SBA assistance is NOT required.
Insurance Advocate
Any individual who works in the field of insurance and has a commitment to educate and strengthen small businesses in the community may be nominated. SBA assistance is NOT required.
Financial Services Champion
Any Individual who encourages the flow of investment capital to small ventures and assists small businesses through advocacy efforts may be nominated. SBA assistance is NOT required.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Baltimore District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.