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.
Young Entrepreneur of The Year
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.
Family-Owned Business of The Year
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.
Minority Small Business Champion or Business of the Year
This award honors an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for minority business owners may be nominated or a minority-owned small business owner has experienced the rewards and difficulties of owning their own business. Champion nominees may or may not be small business owners.
Veteran Small Business Champion or Business of the Year
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. Must be in business a minimum of three years.
Women in Business Champion or Business of the Year
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. Must be in business a minimum of three years.
Small Business Champion of the Year
An individual who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities. Nominees may or may not be small business owners.
- Volunteer efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance small business interests within the community, state and/or nation.
- Demonstrated efforts to improve conditions in the small business community as a whole, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Volunteer efforts to provide professional services to the small business community in a legal, legislative, managerial, or financial capacity.
- Demonstrated accomplishments in advising small business groups of opportunities within the overall business community.
- Other accomplishments demonstrating the nominee’s merit as an effective advocate for small business interests.
Small Business Media Advocate of the Year
The Small Business Media Advocate of the Year Award will recognize an outstanding journalist from television, radio, web, electronic or print media whose work supports the growth and expansion of small businesses in the San Antonio district. The nomination package must include a minimum of three of the nominee’s originally authored and published articles or URL links.
- Concerted and demonstrated efforts to increase public understanding of the importance of small business contributions to the economy, in the San Antonio District.
- Contribution of content and feature stories, editorials, columns, and commentary that highlight and analyze small business issues in the San Antonio District.
- Voluntary community service aimed at enhancing small business opportunity and growth. Other achievements that exemplify the nominee’s efforts to improve the understanding and importance of small businesses to the U.S. economy with a focus on those in the San Antonio District.
SBA will make the above referenced awards to eligible small businesses at the San Antonio District level only.