The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards, which recognize the outstanding achievements of America’s entrepreneurs. Nominations are due by 7 a.m. ET on December 8, 2025, with winners honored during National Small Business Week, May 3–9, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Each year, National Small Business Week shines a spotlight on the central role entrepreneurs play in driving the economy. With 36 million small businesses representing 99% of all U.S. firms, the sector generates two out of every three new jobs and employs about half of the workforce. The awards are designed to highlight not only business growth but also the innovation, resilience, and community leadership that small firms contribute nationwide.
State and National Recognition
Every state and territory—including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam—will select a Small Business Person of the Year. Those honorees will then compete for the SBA’s highest honor, the National Small Business Person of the Year. This structure ensures that entrepreneurs from every part of the country have the chance to gain recognition and share their success stories.
Alongside the top prize, the SBA will also present awards in categories such as exporting, disaster recovery, and federal procurement. These categories reflect the many different ways small businesses strengthen the nation, whether by expanding into international markets, helping communities recover from disasters, or supplying goods and services to the federal government.
A Message from SBA Leadership
SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler praised small businesses as “the heartbeat of local communities and the engine of our economy,” stressing their vital role in opportunity creation and long-term prosperity. She linked entrepreneurial success to the broader promise of the American Dream, underscoring how small firms fuel both family stability and national growth.
By positioning small businesses as the “foundation of our nation’s strength,” Loeffler framed the awards not just as recognition, but as part of a broader celebration of free enterprise and innovation.
How to Apply
Nominations must be submitted electronically through sba.gov/nsbw, where complete guidelines, eligibility criteria, and required forms are available. Applicants are expected to provide profiles and supporting narratives that detail a nominee’s achievements over the past three years, including measurable growth, financial performance, community involvement, and contributions to the economy.
Eligible nominators include the entrepreneurs themselves, employees, customers, or colleagues who wish to put forward a deserving small business owner. By making the process accessible, the SBA encourages a broad base of participation and ensures that stories from across the business landscape are heard.