SBA Has Opened 2027 Small Business Award Nominations
Business owners can now submit nominations for national recognition and awards for next spring.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Business — General
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The U.S. Small Business Administration has officially opened the nomination period for its 2027 National Small Business Week awards. Owners may nominate themselves or be submitted by a third party for categories including manufacturing, exporting, and veteran-owned businesses.
Why it matters
The program highlights exceptional entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and community development. Participating allows businesses to gain national visibility and benchmark their operational success against peers in their respective industries.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has held this recognition program since 1963, tracking annual contributions to the national economy. Businesses are evaluated across multiple specialty categories, including veteran-owned and exporting sectors.
The players
U.S. Small Business Administration
A federal agency that provides support to small business owners through capital access, counseling, and government contracting programs.
The details
Nominations are processed through the official SBA portal, with district offices managing specific specialty categories like manufacturing and veteran-owned small businesses. For instance, the West Virginia District Office handles local submissions, and state-level winners eventually compete for the title of National Small Business Person of the Year. Honorees selected through this process will be recognized during events scheduled in Washington, D.C. next May.
Timeline
The Small Business Administration has recognized National Small Business Week since 1963.
Nominations for the 2027 awards must be submitted by 3:00 PM ET on December 7, 2026.
National Small Business Week will occur from May 2 to May 8, 2027.
Market Landscape
The 2027 nomination cycle continues the long-standing tradition of the National Small Business Week recognition program which began in 1963. This initiative serves as the primary federal benchmark for identifying high-performing small businesses across the United States.
Operators looking to increase their brand visibility should review the eligibility criteria for specialty categories before the December deadline. Those interested in being considered must ensure all application materials are finalized through the official portal by the mid-afternoon cut-off.
The takeaway
The awards program remains a key signal of operational excellence recognized at the federal level. Businesses should prioritize submitting their nominations through the official portal by the 3:00 PM ET deadline on December 7, 2026, to ensure full consideration.
Further reading
For broader insights on federal support and advocacy, explore our Business — General coverage.
More information
To submit an entry or review full category requirements, visit the Small Business Week nomination portal.
Live Poll
Do you believe federal recognition programs provide meaningful support to local small business owners?
