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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
Purchase Tickets

 

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.

Purchase Tickets 
 

Thank you to our Small Business Awards Sponsors:

Presenting Sponsor & Media Sponsor:

Table Sponsors:

                             Azura Credit Union

                             Fidelity State Bank & Trust

                             Washburn University

                             Kaw Valley Bank

                             Silver Lake Bank

 

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Please email ashlee.spring@topekapartnership.com.

Congratulations to our 2022 Small Business Award Winners!

Young Entrepreneur Award- Naly’s Outdoor Co.

Micro Enterprise Award- Blue Jazz Coffee Roasters

Emerging Innovation Venture Award-  Brew Bank

Women-Owned Small Business Award- Asset Lifecycle

Minority-Owned Small Business Award- Harris & Sons Enterprises, Inc.

Veteran-Owned Small Business Award- Anneal Initiative, Inc.

Small Business Manufacturer Award- Harris Fabrication

Small Business Exporter Award- PlainsCraft 

Top City Small Business of the Year- Tarwater Farm & Home