Category: AAA

8(a) Graduate of the Year   Eligibility Requirements: History of successful performance on 8(a) contracts while in the 8(a) Business Development Program. The firm must still be primarily owned, managed, and controlled by the person(s) whom 8(a) eligibility was based. The firm must show reduced reliance on 8(a) contracts; the most recent fiscal year-end financial statement must reflect non 8(a) sales of 50% or more of total sales. If nominee or nominee’s firm has an SBA loan, payment record must be satisfactory and the loan must be current and in good standing. The firm must be in satisfactory financial...

Entrepreneurial Success Award   Eligibility Requirements: Individuals must own and operate businesses initially launched as a small business according to SBA size standards and subsequently developed into large businesses; they must have received SBA assistance to help the businesses grow. To be nominated to receive this award, the nominee must be an individual who owns and operates, or who bears principal responsibility for operating a business. Partners who jointly own and operate a business may be nominated as a “team,” so long as the number of individuals in the team nomination does not exceed four. Nominees must also be...

Young Entrepreneur of the Year   Eligibility Requirements: 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, 2018. To be nominated to receive this award, the nominee must be an individual who owns and operates, or who bears principal responsibility for operating a business. Partners who jointly own and operate a business may be nominated as a “team,” so long as the number of individuals...

Family-Owned Small Business of the Year   Eligibility Requirements: 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. To be nominated to receive this award, the nominee must be an individual who owns and operates, or who bears principal responsibility for operating a business. Partners who jointly own and operate a business may be nominated as a “team,” so long as the...

Financial Services Champion of the Year   Eligibility Requirements: An individual who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts to increase the usefulness and availability of accounting or financial services for small businesses may be nominated. Nominees may or may not be small business owners. Selection Criteria: Outside of regular business duties, the amount and quality of assistance given small businesses to obtain financing. Advocacy for changes in the financial services industry to assist small companies. Encouragement of the flow of investment capital to small ventures. Active support for legislative or regulatory action designed to help small firms. Measurable accomplishments...