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 Business of the Year
Family-owned business that has passed from one generation to another and owner has responsibility for operating the business. 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.
Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
An ethnic minority who serves as majority owner for a small business with 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.
Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
A U.S. Armed Forces Veteran who serves as majority owner for a small business with 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 for a small business with 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 of the year the award will be presented. Business must have received SBA assistance.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Philadelphia District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.