The Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened nominations for the 2025 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards, which highlights the achievements and contributions of SBA-supported entrepreneurs.
“From corner shops to innovation hubs, American entrepreneurs create jobs, invent and provide crucial products and services to their communities, and help define the neighborhoods they serve,” said Isabel Casillas Guzman, SBA’s administrator. “The SBA is proud to celebrate National Small Business Week each year to lift up the best of that American entrepreneurial spirit and recognize the many essential contributions all of our small businesses make to our nation.”
Nominations are now open, and those interested in recognizing a small business owner in their area can find forms, criteria, and guidelines at sba.gov/nsbw. The deadline for electronic submissions is 4 p.m. on Dec. 5, and winners of the national awards will be honored during the NSBW ceremony in Washington, D.C., on May 4-5, 2025.
The highlight of NSBW is the Small Business Person of the Year award. One business owner from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam will be selected as State Small Business Person of the Year, with the state winners competing for the 2025 National Small Business Person of the Year title.
Nominations will be accepted for the following award categories:
- Small Business Exporter of the Year
- 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
- For local area contact and other related information, visit online at https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/district-office-awards.
