About the District Office awards
Our office presents national and district level awards. National level awards, including Small Business Person of the Year, go on to compete for additional recognition and some winners are invited to attend ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The district level winners are honored locally. Learn more about the national level awards.
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.
Small Business Person of the Year
Nominees must bear principal responsibility for operating a small business for a minimum of three years and demonstrate success in business as well as contributions to their local communities. Individuals must 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, Emerging Leaders Initiative, or Boots to Business training.
Small Business Exporter of the Year
This award honors a business that exports outside of the US mainland and its territories. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The owner must be in business a minimum of three years.
Veteran-Owned Business of the Year Award
This award honors a veteran-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The owner must be in business a minimum of three years.
Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
This award honors a woman-owned and operated business. The owner must also serve as a majority owner and operator or bear principal responsibility for operating a small business. The owner must be in business a minimum of three years.
Family-Owned Business of the Year Award
This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next. 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.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award
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, 2023.
District Director Award
An individual selected by the District Director who has gone above and beyond as champion for small business in the state. The individual may or may not fit into one, any, or all the categories for other awards.
Evaluation Criteria for Local Entrepreneurial Awards:
- Legal resident of the United States or one of its territories
- Evidence of success as measured by sales and profits
- Increased employment opportunities created by the nominee’s business
- Innovativeness of product or service
- Response to adversity; development or utilization of creative business methods
- Demonstrated potential necessary for long-term business success and economic growth
- Community contributions
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the Puerto Rico and USVI District level only. Awards for Small Business Person of the Year and Exporter of the Year will be forwarded for National competition.