by Dream Big Awards grant! The Dream Big Awards event, which is held annually during The Big Week for Small Business, acknowledges small business achievements and promotes their contributions to the expansion of the American economy.
The best small businesses in America are honored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The winner of the Small Business of the Year award will be recognized nationally and awarded a cash prize of $25,000.
Also, see:
- Barstool Fund Grant to Local Businesses – 30-Day Fund
- Comcast rise grant (Empowering Small Business Owners)
Eligibility Requirements for Application for Dream Big Grant Award
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for the Dream Big Grant Award, to be eligible for this opportunity.
- You must have a valid residency permit from the continental United States.
- Be a for-profit company that has operated mainly in the United States for at least one (1) year.
- Must have gross revenues of less than $20 million or less than 250 employees for each of the previous two years
- Must accept all Award Rules, which may include participating in the virtual Dream Big Awards event.
Not Eligible Applicants:
- Individuals residing in their household (whether or not related).
- Employees
- officers and directors of Sponsors and any affiliated entities and their respective immediate families (parents, siblings, spouses, children).
Criteria for Selection of Finalists
From all of the eligible applicants a Selection Committee, including representatives from U.S. Chamber of Commerce staff, will choose twenty-seven (27) Finalists, as described below.
- For Round 1: From all of the submitted entries, a panel of judges will choose a first round of qualifying semi-finalists for each Business Achievement Award and the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award.
- For round 2: Twenty-seven (27) Finalists, three for each Business Achievement Award category and three (3) for Small Business of the Year will be chosen by a second panel of judges made up of U.S. Chamber employees, academicians, and industry experts. These Finalists will be considered for each of the eight (8) Business Achievement Awards and the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award.
- For round 3: One finalist will be chosen as the winner of each Business Achievement Award and the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award by a final judging panel made up of industry experts.
The following criteria will be used by the Selection Committee to assess qualified candidates and choose the twenty-seven (27) Finalists:
- Business strategies
- Corporate citizenship
- Innovation in business
- Customer relations (retention)
- Customer relations (acquisition)
- Business growth and performance
- Community engagement and relations
On or before October 1, the finalists and their Third-Party Referrers (if applicable) will be contacted using the contact details they submitted with their application. Finalists can be requested to provide more details for their submission.
Check:
Prizes of Dream Big Awards grant
The winner of each Business Achievement Award category will be awarded with the following prizes;
- During the award ceremony, recognition and award presentation.
- will be discussed in a CO—article.
- One-year membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce(valued at $250).
The winner of the Dream Big Small Business of the Year Award will be awarded with the following prizes;
- A cash prize of $25,000.
- One-year paid Membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (valued at $250).
- During the award ceremony, a promotional video was played.
- An article on CO— with the winner featured.
All relevant federal, state, and local taxes will be the winner of the Small Business of the Year Award.
Selection of Dream Big Award Winners and Runners-Up
Finalists must verify and provide documentation of their qualifications, as well as comply with the other terms and conditions of the signed Award Rules.
Attendance at the Dream Big Awards ceremony is highly recommended. Each Finalist is also required to provide a headshot of the company owner along with images of their establishment.
Every finalist will submit a written interview, either in written or video format, along with a variety of photos. These will be used to produce profile videos that will be shown during the virtual Dream Big Awards Ceremony.
Entry Procedure for Dream Big Awards Grant
Applications for admission may be referred by third parties (Third-Party Referrer). From the beginning of March 21, referrals can be made via the Third-Party Referral form found at the URL.
Any local or state chamber of commerce, trade association, member of the public, or other interested parties may serve as a Third-Party Referrer. To enter the Dream Big Awards, a business does not need a Third-Party Referral. The only requirement for a Third-Party Referral to be accepted is that it must be filled out and submitted online by June 17 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will get in touch with the business being suggested and provide them with information on how to apply for the Dream Big Awards once they receive a Third-Party Referral.
Entries of all the applicants must be submitted before July 8 by 11:59 pm EDT.
The link to the entry form is https://dreambig.awardsplatform.com/.
