6 Awards & Contests Small Business Should Apply For
Small Business at any stage needs recognition, more specifically, customers! People need to know your company and learn your business concept in order for you to grow and ultimately make it in the industry. Aside from your routine marketing and public relations strategies, what else are you going to do to bring attention to your company? Win an award or contest. This is a great marketing tool for many reasons: it’s relatively inexpensive, stirs up buzz about your business, gives your company a professional standing, and most importantly GETS YOU FUNDED!
Starting a business can be costly, we know, so let’s attract potential investors to your company in its early years. Here are some awards to help you raise your company’s profile:
- NY Times Make Your Pitch Contest (free!): If you’re a successful small business owner or a promising entrepreneur with a marketable business idea you need to apply for this! NY Times is giving
entrepreneurs the opportunity to “make your pitch.” Send them a video describing your company or idea, your marketing plan, your customer base, and tell them what makes you different. Add in if you need capital, if so, how much? All videos submissions will be posted on the NY Times small-business Facebook page and if they like your video, you will be considered for a regular blog spot on their site. Once you made your video, upload it to YouTube and send a link to MakeYourPitch@nytimes.com. Apply for 2013!
- 2013 DREAM BIG Small Business of the Year Award: U.S. Chamber will recognize one exceptional small business for their hard work and innovation. The business that is picked will receive $10k. Applicants will be judged on community involvement, staff training and motivation, customer service, and business strategies and goals. Applications costs $25 for U.S. Chamber members and $150 for nonmembers (includes a one-year membership). Apply online before January 7, www.uschambersummit.com/award.
- “How Online Networking Rocked My Business” Contest from BizSugar. BizSugar, a (award winning) social media site is offering a contest to engage and drive community involvement. Applicants need to write a blog post about how online networking has affected their business and submit it to BizSugar- the individual with the most votes on the site wins! Finalists will receive cash and in-kind prizes. Email: advertise@bizsugar.com to send in your post!
- NEOSA Best of Tech Awards: Northeast Ohio Software Association award recognizing outstanding tech companies and entrepreneurs in the region. These awards help promote NE Ohio as a great place to live and grow in business. It’s a prime opportunity to showcase your talent, innovation, and leadership. Information on the 2013 awards is to be determined. Keep yourself updated on the application process and deadlines, visit http://www.cose.org.
- NorTech Innovation Award: NorTech is a regional nonprofit tech-based economic development organization serving over 20 counties in NE Ohio. This award honors “breakthrough innovation” and growing leadership. This is a must for small tech companies looking for awareness and networking opportunities. Nominate your company or another through a nomination packet by Nov. 2.
- NBIA Incubation Awards: Incubation Awards honors business incubators, client companies, and graduates who demonstrate tremendous growth, innovative programs, and unique entrepreneurial training. Yearly winners receive cash prizes along with high recognition for their hard work. Applications can be found on the organizations website.
Here are some awards and recognitions LaunchHouse has received:
LH was selected to receive 200,000 as a part of the ONE Fund from the Ohio Third Frontier program. In receiving these funds, LH has started its very first accelerator program, a spin off of a traditional accelerator. We’ve selected 10 start-ups to be put through a rigorous 12-week business-training program that started this past September.
Our CEO, Todd Goldstein, won the Rising Star Award from Smart Business for his outstanding work with LH in the Shaker Heights community. As co-founder, Todd has provided a center of entrepreneurial business, collaboration, and training. He hopes to transform Cleveland into a region for thriving start-ups.