VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. NO PURCHASE, PAYMENT OR CONTRIBUTION NECESSARY. A PURCHASE, CONTRIBUTION, DONATION, OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. BY ENTERING THE PROGRAM, ENTRANTS AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE OFFICIAL RULES.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO—100 America’s Top Small Business Recognition Program Terms and Conditions
By submitting an application to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO—100 America’s Top Small Business recognition program (CO—100), entrants agree to these Terms and Conditions, the General Rules, and represent that all Eligibility Requirements are met.
- All aspects of the entrant's application and supporting material are original to the applicant or the applicant owns or has secured all rights to submit the application and supporting material in accordance with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO—100 America’s Top Small Business (CO—100) recognition program's Terms and Conditions.
- Neither the entrant's application into the 2025 CO—100 nor the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's use of the application, in whole or in part, violates the right(s) of any third party, including privacy rights.
- The entrant acknowledges that any part of the application may be made public at both the event and in related activities. All tax and financial information will remain confidential, except as specifically set out otherwise in these Terms and Conditions.
- The entrant grants the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the irrevocable right and license to: copy, reproduce, display, perform, publish, modify, edit or otherwise use (collectively "use") the application and supporting material, in whole or in part, including the corporate name(s), trade names, trademarks and logos, as well as names and other personal information of individuals, referred to in the entry and supporting material, all without limitation as to time, geography, or media for judging, education and publicity purposes, and any and all other purposes without need for prior notice, review or additional consent by entrant or additional consideration, and the entrant waives all moral rights in and to his/her entry in favor of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
- The CO—100 list will be chosen without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental ability, or any other classification prohibited by local, state, or federal law.
- Contact information will be used solely for the purposes of communication with the applicant unless other consents are obtained and as otherwise permitted by law.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice, for any reason.
- By submitting your application, you are agreeing to receive email communications from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, CO—, and all contest sponsors.
- Questions regarding CO—100 can be sent to co-100@uschamber.com.
Official Rules of the 2025 CO—100 Recognition Program
Eligibility for Application:
To be eligible to apply for CO—100, an applicant must:
- Be a legal resident of the United States.
- Be a for-profit business operating for at least one (1) year prior to May 4, 2024, primarily within the United States.
- Have fewer than 250 employees and gross revenues of less than $20 million for both 2023 and 2024.
- Agree to all of the Award Rules, including potentially attending the award ceremony.
Employees, officers and directors of Sponsors and any affiliated entities, and their respective immediate families (parents, spouse, children, siblings) or individuals residing in their household (whether or not related) are not eligible applicants.
Businesses named to the CO—100 in prior years are not eligible to apply for the awards program again.
Entry Procedure:
The applications portal will open at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 28, 2025. Participants may enter either by the Application Fee Method or the Free Entry Method, as described below:
(a) Application Fee Method: To enter via this method, you must submit a completed application here, and pay the application fee that corresponds with your date of submission by the time applications close on July 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EDT. You must also provide your first name, last name, date of birth, and email address. You will not need to pay this application fee until you are deemed eligible and have completed all parts of the application. Application fees are not refundable. Entering via the application fee method will not increase your chances of receiving an award. The application fee is not tax deductible as a charitable contribution.
(b) Free Entry Method: To enter via the Free Entry Method, you must submit your entry by doing the following:
- Complete all parts of the application located at https://www.co100.com.
- Once you've answered all the questions, click on "Finish and Pay" in the bottom right of the screen.
- On the next page, click on "Print all Applications."
- Print your application.
- Send the completed application only by U.S. Mail to the mailing address below. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than July 7, 2025 for consideration. Any fields left blank or incomplete will nullify your application.
Mailing Address:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Attn: CO—100 Applications
1615 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20062
For either entry method, the entry must fulfill all requirements as specified herein to be eligible to win an award. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to these Rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of Sponsor. You may enter only once. You must accurately provide the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities, or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If you use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules, your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of Sponsor.
Criteria for Selection of Semi-Finalists (Honorees) and Finalists (Top Honorees):
As described below, a panel of judges, including representatives from U.S. Chamber of Commerce staff, will choose a list of 100 Semi-Finalists (Honorees) to be included in the CO—100. They will additionally choose from the 100 Semi-Finalists a total of 10 Finalists (Top Honorees) and one America’s Top Small Business of the Year (Top Business).
Judging Process: All applicants will be given the opportunity to be judged in up to five out of 10 possible categories. Those categories are:
- Growth Accelerators
- Community Champions
- Micro-Business Leaders
- Champions of Adaptability
- Customer Champions
- Global Stars
- Tech Innovators
- Enduring Businesses
- The Disruptors
- Culture Champions
Each of these categories will be considered using the same methodology.
In each category, applicants will be judged using the methodology described below. Each subsequent round will increase in difficulty.
Round 1: A panel of judges comprised of U.S. Chamber of Commerce employees will select a first round of 250 applications by scoring three open-ended questions designed to explain business plan and strategy. We will also judge 14 general multiple choice questions that will assess growth, longevity, resilience, community involvement, and other key factors related to business health, vitality, longevity, and other key success metrics. Each factor will be weighted equally. The top-scoring 25 businesses in each category (a total of 250 businesses) will move to Round 2.
Round 2: A second panel of different judges comprised of U.S. Chamber employees and, potentially, local and state Chamber leaders, previous winners and finalists, and industry experts will select 10 top-scoring Semi-Finalists ("Honorees") in each of 10 categories for a total of 100 companies. Applications in Round 2 will be scored on five long-form questions related to each category entered. Two multiple choice questions per category entered will also be factored into the Round 2 score.
Round 3: A final judging panel comprised of Chamber employees and industry experts will select one top company in each of the 10 categories, making a total of 10 companies, as Finalists ("Top Honorees"). Top Honorees will be chosen based on Round 1 and Round 2 scores, vetting of company digital presence, and alignment with U.S. Chamber goals and values which will be assessed in Round 3. One (1) Top Honoree will be selected as the 2025 Top Business.
All Honorees must comply with all requests made by U.S. Chamber of Commerce employees, including but not limited to: telephone confirmation, response to all email correspondence, requests for all assets, and participation in event and digital content.
The odds of being selected as an Honoree, Top Honoree, or Top Business depend on the number of eligible, completed applications received on or before July 7, 2025.
Finalists will be notified on or before October 1, 2025, through the contact information provided in the application. Finalists may be asked to submit additional information for their application. To stay up to date with the latest announcements and information, sign up for our newsletter, Midnight Oil, to receive updates.
Announcement of the CO—100 List:
Honorees are encouraged to attend the CO—100 ceremony and must confirm and supply information as to their qualifications and otherwise abide by the terms and conditions of the executed Award Rules. In addition, each Honoree must submit photos of their business and a headshot of the business owner.
The Top Business must be present at and participate fully in the ceremony in person.
Each Honoree must provide a video-recorded and/or written interview that includes various photographs, also to be furnished by each Honoree, which will be used to create profile videos to be posted on https://www.uschamber.com/co and used during the Awards Ceremony.
The CO—100 Top Business and all Honorees will be announced at a ceremony hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the fall of 2025.
CO—100 Awards:
The following will be awarded to all CO—100 applicants:
- One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership (valued at $250).
The following will be awarded to each of the 100 CO— 100 Honorees:
- One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership (valued at $250).
The following will be awarded to all ten (10) CO— 100 Top Honorees:
- $2,000 cash.
- One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership (valued at $250).
- Recognition and award presentation during the award ceremony.
- Will be featured in an article on CO—.
The following will be awarded to the CO—100 Top Business of 2025:
- $25,000 cash.
- One-year paid U.S. Chamber of Commerce Membership (valued at $250).
- Promotional video played during the award ceremony.
- An article on CO— featuring the 2025 Top Business.
The CO—100 Top Business 2025 will be responsible for all federal, state and local taxes that may be applicable. We reserve the right to add additional in-kind or cash awards presented by sponsors at our Award Ceremony.
General Rules:
All applications must be submitted online or by U.S. Mail. Only those applications submitted through the online application process or by U.S. Mail will be accepted. The online application process will take place through OpenWater. Applications received by any other means will not be considered. No application can be amended or withdrawn after July 7, 2025. Neither Sponsors nor their parents, affiliated entities or agents are responsible for any illegible, lost, stolen, late, damaged, incomplete, mutilated, or misdirected applications or other documents. Applying party and applicants are responsible for ensuring proper contact information has been submitted and is maintained throughout the Award Program to allow communications about the Award Program.
Erroneous or false information provided in the application will result in immediate disqualification of the applicant. Sponsors retain the right to disqualify any applicant in their sole discretion.
If, for any reason, the Award Program is not capable of running as planned, Sponsors reserve the right in their sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the program at any time.
By creating an application, or by being an applicant, you understand that there is no joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship between you and Sponsors arising from any application or award.
The Top Business award recipient is responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes. The Top Business award recipient will be required to submit taxpayer identification information and any other information required for the reporting of any award, prize, or other payments made as prizes or awards as part of this program.
The decisions of the judges are final, and applicants and Honorees specifically agree that the decision of the judges and any decision of Sponsors is not subject to review or appeal in any forum whatsoever, including courts of law.
NO WARRANTY OF ANY TYPE IS PROVIDED FOR ANY AWARD, AND NO AWARD MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO ANY PARTY.
Any information provided as part of this program is provided according to the website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, as they may be amended from time to time, and as otherwise provided for in these Rules.
By making an application or being an applicant, you agree on behalf of yourself and each of your respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, agents, successors, and assigns (“Releasing Party”) to the Award Rules and the decisions of the judges and Sponsors, as applicable, and any affiliated entities or persons, and by making an application or being an applicant, you release, defend and hold harmless Sponsors and their affiliates, advisors, agents, licensees, and any social or other media used for the Award, and individual judges, and any of their respective officers, directors and employees as applicable (“Released Parties”), from any and all causes of action, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings, bonds, bills, covenants, contracts, controversies, promises, lost profits, indirect or direct damages, consequential damage, incidental damages, punitive or exemplary damages, judgments, claims and demands whosoever, in law, or equity, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, which any Releasing Party has or may ever had, now or hereafter, arising from or related to the recognition program, these Official Rules, any application materials, including but not limited to any use or non-use of any application materials, delivery, misdelivery, acceptance, possession, attendance at, travel related to, misuse, and/or use of or inability to use, any award, or technical or other failures of any kind.
The entrant has read and agrees to the official rules for the CO—100 recognition program. The entrant has read the program's Terms and Conditions and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Privacy Policy. Additionally, the entrant certifies that, to the best of their knowledge, the information contained in their application is accurate.
This contest is void where prohibited by state law.
The supporting sponsors of this contest are:
Oracle
2300 Oracle Way
Austin, TX 78741
Square (Block Inc.)
1955 Broadway, Suite 600
Oakland, CA 94612
T-Mobile for Business
12920 SE 38th St.
Bellevue, WA 98006
Walmart Business
702 SW 8th St.
Bentonville, AR 72716
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
1615 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20062