Nominations are Now Being Accepted for the 20th Annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Gala
LANSING, Mich. - Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) awards program, a prestigious annual competition that recognizes successful growing businesses and their supporters. The winners will be honored at the 20th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Awards Gala on May 21st, 2024.
The awards program provides an opportunity for business owners and supporters of small businesses to nominate a company that is growing and making an impact in Michigan.
The nominations for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award are open for second-stage companies, defined as having six to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. Additionally, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.
“The contributions and achievements of small businesses are vital to Michigan’s economic development,” says Amy Rencher, MCSB Board Member. “The Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards program has been a unique opportunity to provide recognition to the diverse achievements of these businesses and the integral part they play in our statewide communities. Michigan would not be the Michigan we know and love without our entrepreneurs – and we are thrilled to be preparing our 20th annual awards gala to celebrate their impact.”
The Michigan 50 Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize a previously awarded Michigan 50 Company to Watch. Two award categories will be offered for 2024.- Great Place to Work | The Michigan 50 Great Place to Work Award recognizes a previous Michigan 50 Companies to Watch recipient for increased contributions to its community and for fostering a creative, collaborative workplace culture to enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage.- Strategically Focused | The Michigan 50 Strategically Focused Award recognizes a previous Michigan 50 Companies to Watch recipient that has strategically increased its sales since receiving the Michigan 50 designation to ensure continued sustainability in an ever-changing economy.
The Best Small Business Awardees are nominated by APEX Accelerators, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), and SmartZones. These organizations are located across the state that provide support services to Michigan small businesses.
Each region of these various support organizations selects a company to be recognized as a Best Small Business Awardee for demonstrating a strong relationship with the organization as well as significant success as a company. You must be an APEX Accelerator, SBDC or SmartZone to submit a Best Small Business Awardee.
Michigan Celebrates is seeking companies known for their marketplace performance, innovation, philanthropy, and corporate culture to be nominated for the 2024 awards. Nominations can be made at MichiganCelebrates.org.
Nominations are due November 15 and can come from service providers, such as attorneys, bankers, accountants, public relations representatives, economic development professionals, or community members. Companies may also apply directly. All nominees will receive an e-mail with instructions to complete an online application by November 28.
The Founding Partners created an annual awards gala to recognize small business and second-stage companies. The founding organizations of Michigan Celebrates are as follows:- Edward Lowe Foundation- Michigan Business Network- Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)- Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC)- Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM)The gala launched in 2004 and has become Michigan’s premier awards program for small business. There have been over 1,000 companies honored at MCSB over the past 19 years, including 950 second-stage companies recognized by a Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award.About Michigan Celebrates Small BusinessMichigan Celebrates Small Business is a collaboration of trusted statewide founding organizations that offer resources for small businesses. Since 2005, their awards gala has celebrated how small businesses positively impact our communities and state. MCSB is focused on supporting, connecting and celebrating small businesses in MichiganMichigan Celebrates Small Business was founded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Small Business Association of Michigan, U.S. Small Business Administration - Michigan, Edward Lowe Foundation, Michigan Business Network, and Michigan Small Business Development Center.About Kinexus GroupKinexus Group is the managing partner of the gala. Kinexus Group is an organization that invests its time and resources into inspiring positive economic change one person, one business, and one community at a time. For more information, visit Kinexus.org, follow us on Twitter @KinexusGroup or “like” us on Facebook @KinexusGroup.
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Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) is the most prestigious small business awards program in the state of Michigan. The mission of the program is to honor and recognize Michigan’s small business people as well as the champions and advocates who support them.
For more information about Michigan Celebrates Small Business, please visit MichiganCelebrates.org or connect with us on our social channels.
