Description
Recognizes the contributions that small business owners provide to Alberta's economy. Because the SME industry plays such a crucial role in Alberta's economy, we want to recognize the entrepreneurs who work hard in making their small businesses a success.
Requirements
Specific Eligibility:
To be a valid entry in the Small Business Award of Distinction, your business must:
- Be primarily Alberta-owned and operated
- Have 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- Have less than $5 million/year in sales revenue
- Demonstrate significant business achievement in business, sustained growth and potential to become a true pillar of Alberta's business community
- Demonstrate ongoing, consistent involvement in community events and organizations locally
General Eligibility:
Judging is complete anonymously, so your submission must also be completed anonymously to support the judging process. Companies must NOT use their company name when responding to short answer questions.
To be a valid entry in the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, your business must(at the time of both nomination and awards presentation):
- Be operational in Alberta for a minimum of 3 fiscal years unless otherwise stated
- Be actively operating in Alberta
- Employ Albertans to produce goods and/or provide services
- Must be a member in good standing of a local chamber of commerce in Alberta (proof of membership required)
Contact your local chamber to become a member. - Not have won in the same category in the last three award cycles (e.g. a 2022 winner is eligible again in 2026)
- Not have anyone in you management, on your board, or in your employment serving on the Alberta Business Awards of Distinction judging committee for the category.
- If you are a non-profit organization, no more than 30% of annual revenue can be directly funded by Government envelopes. This does not apply to regular procurement.
- Financial Statements submission
Sample Financial Summary Statement- Applicants must submit financial statements as part of the application process.
- Financial information is requested only to confirm that applicants represent actively operating businesses. Financial statements are not used as part of the judging criteria.
- To protect applicant confidentiality:
- Financial information is reviewed only during the eligibility verification stage
- Application materials are treated as strictly confidential
- Individuals involved in administering the awards process are required to sign confidentiality agreements
- There is no minimum profit threshold required.
- Applicants do not need to submit detailed financial statements with every line item. A high-level financial summary showing overall income and expenses is sufficient. If necessary, sensitive line-item details may be redacted, provided the financial summary clearly reflects overall business activity.
- Interim financial statements may be accepted if they reflect the most recent financial position of the business.
- If a company operates nationally or globally, financial statements may be submitted as they are normally filed. Where possible, applicants are encouraged to provide context related to Alberta operations.
