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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is now accepting nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week (NSBW) Awards — including the prestigious Small Business-Person of the Year!
Nominate yourself or someone you know.
About the Awards
Since 1964, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. All nominations must be submitted by December 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. CT.
To nominate a small business owner in your area or download related forms, criteria, and guidelines.
National Award nominations for the following categories will be accepted:
• Small Business Person of the Year: Nominees from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam will compete for the title of the National Small Business Person of the Year, SBA’s signature award. Nominees must demonstrate success in business as well as contributions to their local communities.
Additional awards include:
• Small Business Exporter of the Year
• Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery:
> Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery
> Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery - Mitigation
• 8(a) Graduate of the Year
• Counseling Awards:
> SCORE National Chapter of the Year (COTY)
> Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Award
> Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award
> Women's Business Center of the Year Award
We also have local awards! In addition to the national-level awards, SBA's 68 District Offices celebrate their entrepreneurs with local District Office Awards.
Minnesota District Office Awards:
• Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year: A veteran small business owner who has experienced the rewards and challenges of owning a business.
• Veteran Small Business Champion: An individual committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces may be nominated. Champion nominees may or may not be veterans.
• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: An individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership may be nominated.
• Women in Business Champion: An individual committed to the advancement of women’s business ownership may be nominated. Champion nominees may or may not be small business owners.
• Encore Entrepreneur: An individual who started their business after age 50.
• Family-Owned Small Business: Business with a 15-year track record that has been handed from one generation to another.
• Young Entrepreneur: An individual who is the majority owner and operator of a business and will not have turned age 30 by June 1, 2026.
Questions?
Saolia Tucker
Business Development Coordinator
Saolia.Tucker@brooklynpark.org
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