Small Business Awards 2023

Small businesses are a vital part of our local economy and to our quality of life in Topeka and Shawnee County.

The Small Business Awards honor excellence, resilience and innovation among the Dream Chasers, Opportunity Makers & Success Creators that call Topeka and Shawnee County home. We aim to recognize and inspire small businesses through our Small Business Awards. At the Awards luncheon, we will highlight what makes them great and how they contribute to Topeka and Shawnee County’s unique business community. The 2023 Small Business Awards, presented by CoreFirst Bank & Trust, will take place on May 2, 2023, 11 A.M to 1 P.M. at Townsite Ballroom.

When: May 2, 2023
Where: Townsite Ballroom
Time: 11 A.M. – 1 P.M.
Cost: $55
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Award Categories & Descriptions:
Young Entrepreneur Award
Recognizes a business owner, founder or co-founders, between the ages of 18-30, for outstanding business achievement.

Micro Enterprise Award
Recognizes a business with 5 or fewer employees (including the owners) for outstanding business achievement.

Emerging Innovation Venture Award
Recognizes a business for achieving commercialization milestones in bringing an innovative solution or technology to a market.

Women-Owned Small Business Award
Recognizes a women-owned small business for outstanding business achievement. The business must be at least 51% owned, controlled and managed by one or more women.

Minority-Owned Small Business Award
Recognizes a minority-owned, small business that has attained outstanding business achievement. The business must be at least 51% owned, controlled and managed by one or more individuals of the following ethnic/minority groups: African American, Hispanic American, Native American, Asian Pacific American.

Veteran-Owned Small Business Award
Recognizes a veteran-owned, small business that has attained outstanding business achievement. The business must be at least 51% owned, controlled, and managed by one or more U.S. veterans.

Small Business Manufacturer Award
Recognizes a business that designs, manufactures, fabricates, assembles, or processes a finished product (including value-added food products).

Small Business Exporter Award
Recognizes a business for success and dedication to selling products or services internationally.

Top City Small Business of the Year
Recognizes a business for outstanding performance, notable industry or community contributions and representation of Topeka.

Award Criteria:

Business staying power, strategies, and vision
Growth in number of employees and good employee relations
Increase in sales and/or unit volume and assets
Innovativeness of product, service, or business model
Response to adversity
Community engagement and contributions

Eligibility:

Nominees must be located in Shawnee County
Business must have 100 or fewer employees, including the owners/founders
Businesses must have been in business for a minimum of two years for Young Entrepreneur, Micro Enterprise, and Emerging Innovation Venture Award and at least three years for the other categories
Businesses must be for profit entities
Winners must be Greater Topeka Partnership Members.
- To find out more information about membership, please reach out to memberrelations@topekapartnership.com

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Thank you to our Small Business Awards Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor & Media Sponsor: