LANSING—Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Michigan Celebrates Small Business 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 May 21, 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.
To nominate, visit https://michigancelebrates.secure-platform.com/a.
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, 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. Entries 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 Nov. 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 Nov. 28.
The founding partners created this annual awards gala to recognize small business and second-stage companies. The founding organizations of Michigan Celebrates are the Edward Lowe Foundation, the Michigan Business Network, the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan Small Business Development Centers, and the Small Business Association of Michigan.
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.
