Deadline: 17-Jun-22
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to launch a call for nominations for the Dream Big Awards 2022 to recognize the very best in American small businesses.
The Award honors the achievements of small businesses and highlights their contributions to America’s economic growth.
Celebrates the success of one small business and honors its contributions to the growth and diversity of the American economy. This award recognizes a small business that exemplifies the spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship, and individual initiative.
Areas
The winner will exemplify success and leadership in each of the following areas:
- Business growth and performance.
- Business strategies and goals.
- Community engagement.
- Customer and employee relation practices.
- Innovative business strategies and practices
Award Categories
- Emerging Business: This award recognizes a startup company that has attained outstanding business achievement with fewer than 25 employees and 1-3 years of full-time operation (not a buyout of an existing company).
- Green/Sustainable Business: This award recognizes a small business that has achieved excellence in the creation and implementation of sustainable business practices, including waste and recycling programs, water stewardship, efficiency in building environment, or any other significant effort designed to limit the way a business impacts the environment.
- Minority-Owned Business: This award recognizes a minority-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by minority-owned businesses in the country. The business must be at least 51% owned or controlled by one or more U.S. residents of the following ethnic/minority groups: African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian-Pacific American, and/or South-Asian American. The business must also have management and daily operations controlled by at least one (1) U.S. resident of a minority group.
- Veteran-Owned Business: This award recognizes a veteran-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies significant contributions made by veteran-owned businesses in the country. The business must be at least 51% owned or controlled by one or more U.S. veterans, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101 (2). The business must also have management and daily operations controlled by at least one (1) U.S. veteran.
- Woman-Owned Business: This award recognizes a women-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by women-owned businesses in the country. The business must be at least 51% owned or controlled by one or more women who are U.S. residents. The business must also have management and daily operations controlled by at least one (1) woman.
- Young Entrepreneur Business: This award recognizes a small business owner, founder or co-founders, aged between 14 and 30 (as of December 31, 2022), who has/have attained outstanding business achievement.
- LGBTQ-Owned Business: This award recognizes an LGBTQ-owned small business that has attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by the LGBTQ-owned businesses in the country. The business must be at least 51% owned or controlled by one or more individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQ community (including transgender and non-binary/gender non-conforming individuals) and are U.S. residents. The business must also have management and daily operations controlled by at least one (1) LGBTQ identifying individual.
- Community Support and Leadership Award:This award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated an exemplary level of leadership and community engagement to assist the needs of its community, and to service the needs of its customers, employees and neighbors.
Award Prizes
- Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award: The following prizes will be awarded to the winner of the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award
- A $25,000 cash prize.
- One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce Membership (valued at $250).
- Promotional video played during the award ceremony.
- An article on CO— featuring the winner.
- The Small Business of the Year Award winner will be responsible for all federal, state and local taxes that may be applicable.
- Business Achievement Award Winners: The following prizes will be awarded to the winner of each Business Achievement Award category:
- One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership (valued at $250).
- Recognition and award presentation during the award ceremony.
- Will be featured in an article on CO—.
- Award winner will be responsible for all federal, state and local taxes that may be applicable.
Eligibility Criteria
- A business must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award or a Business Achievement Award.
- For-profit business operating for at least one (1) year primarily within the United States.
- Have less than 250 employees OR gross revenues of less than $20 million for each of 2021 and 2022.
Deadline
- Chambers of Commerce and Trade Groups: Deadline: June 17, 2022
- Small Businesses: Deadline for submission: Friday, July 8, 2022.
For more information, visit https://www.uschamber.com/co/dream-big-awards/dream-big-awards-2022