Deadline: 30-Jun-23
Applications are now open for the 2023 Small Business Awards (SBA), an initiative of Biashara Africa.
2023 Theme: Celebrating Resilience and Society Impact
Small Business Awards Categories
- Small Business of the Year Award
- Recognizes a Woman or Youth Owned small business that has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, resilience and impact.
- Female-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
- Recognizes a Woman or Group of Women Owned Small Business that has demonstrated a track record of growth, innovation, and resilience.
- Youth-Owned Small Business of the Year Award
- Recognizes a Youth or Group of Youth Owned Small Business that has demonstrated a track record of growth, innovation, and resilience.
- The Youngest Small Business Owner of the Year
- Recognizes an outstanding entrepreneur who has started and successfully run a small business at a young age. This award aims to inspire and celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of young people, and to recognize their achievements in business despite their age.
- Fastest Growing Small Business Award
- Recognizes a Woman or Youth Owned small business that has demonstrated exceptional growth in revenue, customer base, and market share.
- Small Business – AfCFTA Award
- Recognizes a Woman or Youth Owned small business that has demonstrated success in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by exporting products to countries within the AfCFTA. Note: the objective of the AfCFTA is to significantly boost intra-Africa trade, particularly trade in value-added production and trade across all sectors of Africa’s economy.
- Small Business Sustainability Award
- Recognizes a Woman or Youth Owned small business that has implemented sustainable practices and has demonstrated a commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
- Small Business – Diversity and inclusion Awards
- Recognizes an organization that has shown commitment in supporting Small Businesses owned by People Living with Disability, Widows, Victims of Gender-Based Violence or other underrepresented groups.
- Small Business – Community Impact Awards
- Recognizes an organization that has shown commitment in supporting Small Businesses to make a positive impact in their local community, such as by creating jobs, supporting local causes, promoting economic development, addressing social or environmental issues.
- Small Business – Most Supportive County
- Recognizes a county that has demonstrated exceptional support to Small Businesses by promoting economic growth, providing opportunities, and improving the business environment.
- Small Business – Bank of the Year award
- Recognizes a bank that has demonstrated exceptional support to small businesses. This award acknowledges a bank that has provided innovative products and services, excellent customer service, and has helped small businesses grow and thrive.
- Small Business – Logistics Provider of the Year
- Recognizes a provider that has demonstrated exceptional support to small businesses by providing innovative Logistics services, and excellent customer service.
- Small Business – Payment Provider of the Year Award
- Recognizes a payment provider that has excelled in serving the needs of small businesses by providing innovative payment services, and excellent customer service.
- Small Business – Marketing & Branding Services Provider of the Year Award
- Recognizes a Marketing & Branding Services Provider that has excelled in serving the needs of small businesses by offering a range of services to help them improve their branding and marketing efforts.
- Small Business Supporter of the Year
- Recognizes an individual, organization, or entity for their exceptional support and advocacy for small businesses. Small businesses are critical to the economy, and those who go above and beyond to provide resources, mentorship, funding, and other support to help small businesses succeed deserve recognition.
- Small Business – Media House Award
- Is a recognition given to a media house that has demonstrated exceptional coverage and support for small businesses. Small businesses play a critical role in the economy, and those who provide insightful and informative coverage of the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses deserve recognition. The purpose of the award is to highlight the importance of small businesses and the role that media can play in promoting their success.
Benefits to Participants
- Gain recognition & exposure.
- Get opportunities to pitch your business in various forums.
- Join the community of Small Business Leaders and get networking and training opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Women, Youth and PLWD Owned Small Businesses in Kenya that have demonstrated exceptional performance in innovation, sustainability, social responsibility, customer value, and financial performance and
- Organizations that support these Small Businesses to thrive.
- Participating small businesses need to have an annual turnover (sales) of less than Kenya Shillings 5M or/and less than 50 staff.
For more information, visit Biashara Africa.