Qualifications for Outstanding Business Leader

• Nominee must have served a minimum period of five years in a leadership role. This doesn't require holding the role for 5+ years at the same company, just 5+ years during their career.
• Nominee must be in a leadership role in a for-profit company with 5-250 employees.
• Nominee must reside and work in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, or Polk counties.
• The nominee’s company or place of employment must have been incorporated on or before January 1, 2025.

Qualifications for Companies 

• For-profit company with 5-250 employees.
• Companies must be headquartered in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, or Polk counties. 
• Conducted business operations for three (3) complete years and were incorporated on or before January 1, 2023.

Qualifications for Startup Companies 

• For-profit company with 1-250 employees.
• Companies must be headquartered in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, or Polk counties. 
• Conducted business operations for at least one (1) complete year and were incorporated by January 1, 2025.
• If your company has conducted business operations for three (3) complete years and was incorporated on or before January 1, 2023, please apply for the standard award instead of the startup business award.

Judging Criteria

Judging for the Small Business of the Year Awards will be based upon the following criteria (in no particular order of importance):

1. History & philosophy (solid ethical business practices)
2. Management (business goals, planning)
3. Operational management (personnel, profitability, administrative processes)
4. Innovativeness, technology and response to adversity/economic conditions/competition
5. Leadership philosophy and community contributions (community service involvement, leadership, corporate citizenship)

Deadline

The nomination period for the 2026 SBOY Awards ends at 5 pm, March 18, 2026.

Nominator Information

Your contact information.

Nominee Information

Details about the company/person you are nominating.