Eligible small businesses can also apply to be considered for a Business Achievement Award .

There are six Business Achievement Awards:

1. Emerging Business
2. Green/Sustainable Business
3. Minority-Owned Business
4. Veteran-Owned Business
5. Woman-Owned Business
6. Young Entrepreneur Business

Additionally, finalists for each of the business achievement awards are entered into our Community Excellence Award. The Community Excellence Award recognizes a small business that has demonstrated an exemplary level of leadership and community engagement to positively impact the quality of life in its community.

The Dream Big Awards program winners are honored each year at the Small Business Summit in Washington, D.C. during the Dream Big Awards Gala .

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:

• Operates primarily within the United States
• Have less than 250 employees or gross revenues of less than $20 million in 2016 and 2017
• Provide support (in-kind and/or financial) to their community
• Winners are asked to attend the Gala on October 3, 2018, but are not required to be present

AwardPrizes

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:

• $25,000 cash prize
• One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce Membership (valued at $250)
• Recognition and acceptance speech on stage during the Dream Big Awards Gala
• One (1) complimentary registration for the Small Business Summit (valued at $275)
• Two-night hotel stay during the Small Business Summit
• Discounted registration of $275 for any additional registrants affiliated with the company (valued at $275)
• One-minute promo video played during the Dream Big Awards Gala during the Small Business Summit
• Web sticker to display on company website

Award winner will be responsible for all federal, state and local taxes that may be applicable.

Business Achievement Award Winners & Community Excellence Award Winner

The following prizes will be awarded to the winner of each Business Achievement Award category and the Community Excellence Award Winner:

• One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce Membership (valued at $250)
• Recognition and crystal award presentation on stage during the Dream Big Awards Gala
• One (1) complimentary registration for the Small Business Summit (valued at $275)
• Two-night hotel stay during the Small Business Summit
• Discounted registration of $275 for any additional registrants affiliated with the company (valued at $275)
• Web sticker to display on company website

Award winner will be responsible for all federal, state and local taxes that may be applicable .

Selection Process

• A panel of Chamber judges will select a first-round of eligible, semi-finalists in consideration for each Business Achievement Award and the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award from all entries received.
• A second panel of judges comprised of academia and industry experts will select eighteen (18) finalists, three for each Business Achievement Award category and three for Small Business of the Year, in consideration for each of the five (5) Business Achievement Awards and the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award.
• A final judging panel comprised of industry experts will select one (1) finalist as the winner of each Business Achievement Award and the Dream Big Small Business of the Year of Award. Finalists can only be selected as a winner for one (1) award.
• The winner of the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award will be announced on October 3, 2018 at the Dream Big Gala in Washington, D.C. during the Small Business Summit. Winners of the Business Achievement Award categories will also be announced at the Dream Big Gala. Winners are asked to attend the Gala, but are not required to be present.

Community Excellence Award Selection Process

• Each of the finalists will be entered into consideration for the Community Excellence Award.
• Online voting will allow the people who know a company best—its customers, employees, and neighbors—to cast a vote for their favorite business, which will be used in the discretion of the judging panel.
• A panel of judges comprised of industry experts will select the final award winner using an evaluation process based on three primary criteria: community leadership, community engagement and contribution to the economic development of the community.
• Each business’ score will be combined with the online voting total to reach a final judging score. The online voting will be used in the discretion of the judging panel.
• The business with the highest, final score will be selected as the winner of the Community Excellence Award. The award announcement will take place on October 3, 2018 at the Dream Big Gala in Washington, D.C. during the Small Business Summit.

Timeline of Key Dates

Past Winners