Nominations Open for 2025 Small Business Week Awards

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced it is opening nominations for the 2025 National Small Business Week (NSBW) awards. For more than 60 years, this event has celebrated the outstanding achievements of small businesses and entrepreneurs in each state and U.S. territory who are driving innovation, creating good jobs, and contributing significantly to their communities.

Isabel Casillas Guzman, SBA Administrator, emphasizes the impact of American entrepreneurs on the community: “From corner shops to innovation hubs, they shape our neighborhoods and provide essential services. National Small Business Week is our chance to recognize these contributions and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels our nation.”

SBA’s top honor during NSBW is the Small Business Person of the Year Award. A winner is chosen from each of the 50 states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. These district winners will then compete for the title of National Small Business Person of the Year for 2025.

Nominations are open for these award categories:

• Small Business Person of the Year (National and District)

• Small Business Exporter of the Year (National and District)

• Small Business Investment Company of the Year

  • SBIC Emerging Manager

  • SBIC Established Manager

• Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery:

  • Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery

  • Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery - Mitigation

  • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Public Official

  • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery, Volunteer

• Federal Procurement Awards:

  • Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year

  • Small Business Subcontractor of the Year

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors)

  • 8(a) Graduate of the Year

• Awards to SBA Resource Partners:

  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award

  • S.C.O.R.E. Chapter of the Year

  • Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award

  • Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Year

• Surety Bond Agent of the Year

  
  

To nominate a local small business owner and obtain the necessary forms and guidelines, go to sba.gov/nsbw. Make sure to submit your nomination online by 4 p.m. ET on December 5, 2024. The winners will be presented at the NSBW awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 4-5, 2025.