Distinguished Entrepreneur

Nominate Someone in your community today!

The Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards of SWFL are held annually during National Small Business Week to recognize southwest Florida’s small businesses for their innovation, advocacy and overall business excellence.

Nominations are Closed

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About the Awards

The Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards is a prestigious award ceremony that aims to celebrate the small business community of SWFL and the entrepreneurs who contribute to making it the thriving, collaborative, and innovative community it is. The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University hosts this high-profile event attended by over 150 reputable community leaders and business owners. This year will mark the 12th year of Distinguished Entrepreneur.

Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards

Has a creative product or service that solves a widespread problem in the marketplace
Has demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to the ever-changing whims of the environment and their market
Has demonstrated a unique capacity for creative leadership and innovation that allows their employees, their business, and the community to thrive

Servant Leader of the Year

Has established themselves as a mentor, philanthropist, and/or advocate for and in the SWFL Small Business Community
Has community service embedded in their company core values and demonstrates these values regularly in the community
Has been a trail-blazer in helping create a more collaborative, thriving, and charitable SWFL small business community

Emerging Business of the Year

Has started business in the last two years and have experienced success with their product or service
Has a unique mission and vision for their business that is designed to set them up for success in the future
Has been started by an entrepreneur who has demonstrated resiliency and a unique capacity for leadership

Nominations are Closed

Deadline is February 16, 2024