THE SMALL BUSINESS
GROWTH AWARDS Brought to you by
Category Overview
THE SMALL BUSINESS
GROWTH AWARDS Brought to you by
Thank you for your interest in entering The Small Business Growth Awards, proudly brought to you by HSBC UK and FSB. Whatever growth means to you – whether it’s creating jobs in your community, or scaling what you love – find the Award Category or Categories that best fit your business, and we look forward to hearing your story. Wishing you the best of luck!
Award Categories 8 award categories open to all. Plus, a HSBC regional customer award for one winning HSBC customer from each region.
THE SMALL BUSINESS
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1 Micro Business Award This award celebrates businesses with up to 9 employees punching above their weight. Judges will be looking for businesses that have demonstrated strong revenue growth and a product or service of a quality that stands above competitors. (Open to businesses with 0-9 employees) Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Tell us about your current business success and share evidence of successful business performance. Demonstrate the actions you are taking to make the business grow and prosper long term.
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2 Startup Business Award This award is open to startup businesses operating for under two years in any business sector. Judges will be looking for businesses that have grown while building a solid foundation upon which their business can thrive. (Open to businesses in operation for under 2 years from date of entry) Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Tell us about how the business was launched, why it is filling a gap in the market and how you have grown your business including sharing your current business success. Demonstrate the actions you are taking to make the business prosper long term.
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3 Family Business Award Championing the big contribution family firms make to business, this category seeks to reward the UK’s top family-run SME with less than 250 employees. Majority ownership remains with the family and at least two family members working in the business. Judges will be looking for an organisation that can demonstrate how the family’s nature and values have contributed to success across the business. (Open to businesses run by families) Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Tell us about your current business success and share evidence of successful business performance. How family values influence the business and explain how the interests of the family are balanced against the interests of the business. Demonstrate the actions you are taking to make the business grow and prosper long term.
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4 Community Award This is the category for businesses who partake in initiatives that support their local community, including apprenticeships, or employee-led activities that make a positive impact. Judges will be looking for evidence of businesses that have been either set up to support the community through their activities or for businesses who help support the community through donations, resources, or other activities. Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Tell us about your current business success and share evidence of successful community business performance. Demonstrate the actions you are taking to make the business grow and prosper long term. Evidence measurable impact on and support to the local community.
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5 Innovation Award This award celebrates businesses that have been innovative, whether it’s through a new business model, products or new markets. Judges will be looking for businesses that have delivered ground-breaking results through innovation. (Open to businesses where bold, new business models and innovative products are delivering dramatic results) Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Tell us about your current business success and share evidence of successful business performance. Evidence how your business has used innovation either through development of a new product or process. Explain how the business has changed because of this innovation. Demonstrate the actions you are taking to make the business grow and prosper long term.
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6 Diversity & Inclusion Award This award celebrates the company who uses their role to ensure diversity and inclusion are at the heart of their business. Judges will look for exemplary internal and external campaigns, recruitment practices, onboarding and inclusion strategies, and initiatives to improve awareness and understanding in the organisation and/or industry. Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Demonstrate how you have eliminated discrimination and encouraged inclusivity in your business. Demonstrate the impact of, and positive outcomes from, embracing diversity and inclusion, in relation to the success of the company.
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7 Service Excellence Award This award celebrates small businesses who have gone above and beyond to deliver first-class customer service. The judges will be looking for how you can demonstrate exceeding customers’ expectations. Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Showcase how you have gone above and beyond and the benefits to your business by putting your customers first? Demonstrate how your business have responded to changing customer needs and expectations.
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8 Expansion & Growth Award This award celebrates the businesses who have expanded internationally and/or have grown their number of full/part employees to 10 - 100+. Judges will be looking for businesses that have demonstrated strong revenue, successfully scaled into new geographical markets, all whilst retaining their service level standards and employee retention records. Tell us why you fit the award category selected. Tell us about your current business success and share evidence of successful business performance. Demonstrate commitment to core values has been enhanced and improved upon as a larger small business. Demonstrate the actions you are taking to make your business growth sustainable and prosper long term.
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9 HSBC Regional Customer Award One winning HSBC customer from each region will be invited to appear in their national advertising campaign in Autumn 2026. (Not open for submission)