Description

2026 National Small Business Awards

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Hawaii District Office is now accepting nominations for the 2026 SBA Awards. These awards honor outstanding small businesses and champions who demonstrate success in business and contributions to their local communities.

Winners are recognized at both the district level (locally) and the national level. National winners may compete for additional honors and some will be invited to ceremonies in Washington, D.C.

Submission Deadline

All nomination packages must be submitted by
December 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Time

Submit nominations electronically through the Hawaii District Office portal:

Submit Nomination Package
 

Nomination Package Requirements

Each package must include the following:

1. SBA Form 3300 – Award Nominee Background Form (required for each team member if team nomination).

2. Authorization, Grant & Release of Materials Form (required for each team member if team nomination).

3. SBA Form 3315 – District Office Award Nomination Form.

4. Photo – 8x10 or 5x7 original, or digital (300 dpi, 3–7 MB, no logos).

5. Supporting Documentation – Up to 10 pages (letters of recommendation, press clippings, nomination letter, etc.).

Nominations must be scanned and submitted as one complete document. The photo should be attached as a separate file. Incomplete packages will not be accepted.

Eligibility

• Nominees must be U.S. legal residents who own at least 51% of a small business operating for a minimum of three years.

• Nominees must have received at least one type of SBA assistance (e.g., loan, SCORE counseling, SBDC, VBOC, WBC, contracting support, disaster assistance, Emerging Leaders, or Boots to Business training).

• Not eligible: large businesses or those suspended or debarred by the federal government.

• Self-nominations are accepted.

Award Categories

District-Level Awards

• Family-Owned Small Business of the Year

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year (under 35 by May 4, 2025)

• Veteran Small Business Champion or Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year

• Women Small Business Champion or Women-Owned Small Business of the Year

• Small Business Manufacturer of the Year

National-Level Awards
(Local winners advance to national competition)

• Small Business Person of the Year

• Exporter of the Year

• 8(a) Graduate of the Year

• SBDC Excellence and Innovation Award

• Women’s Business Center of the Year

Judging Criteria

Nominees will be evaluated on:

1. Business performance – staying power, employee growth, sales increases, financial strength, and innovation.

2. Community contributions – volunteer work, civic involvement, and use of personal time/resources for community impact.

3. Additional district-level criteria.

If you know a deserving small business or champion, now is the time to nominate.

Deadline: December 7, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Time