Applications are now open!
Apply today to earn a spot on the list
Apply for the
CO—100
We’re looking for the change-makers, the innovators, the problem solvers — the small businesses doing big things to drive growth and ingenuity, both locally and globally. Apply to our premier awards program, the CO—100, to earn your spot on our list of America’s top small businesses. Enter your business in up to five award categories spanning a broad range of specialties, including tech innovation, marketing excellence, global expansion, longevity, and company culture.
Think your business deserves a place on the list?
Top 3 Reasons to Apply
Brand Exposure
Your business could be featured across hundreds of print, radio, and broadcast news outlets. Plus, every CO—100 honoree receives a dedicated business profile on CO—.
USCC Membership
Every CO—100 applicant receives a one-year membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and can take advantage of exclusive offers from top B2B brands, access to private events and webinars, and more!
VIP Perks
Get invited to one-of-a-kind VIP experiences in the nation’s capital, and tap into opportunities for speaking engagements at our virtual and in-person events.
Apply Early and Save
10 Categories Honoring the Best Small Businesses in America
You can opt into up to five categories.
Growth Accelerators
This category honors businesses that demonstrate the most creative and effective strategies for growth. This could involve unique marketing tactics, product innovation, or exceptional customer service strategies.
Community Champions
This category honors businesses that have not only grown but have also positively impacted their local community. This could be through job creation, community service projects, or by fostering a strong community around their business.
Micro-Business Leaders
This category honors businesses with one to five employees that have built a profitable and thriving business while remaining small and nimble.
Champions of Adaptability
This category honors businesses that have overcome significant challenges or adversity in the past, and celebrates grit and determination.
Customer Champions
This category honors businesses that have shown exceptional customer service or have significantly increased their customer base through unique engagement strategies.
Global Stars
This category honors businesses that have successfully entered new international markets or significantly increased their global footprint over the past year.
Tech Innovators
This category honors businesses that have effectively incorporated new technologies or automated solutions to scale their operations, improve the customer experience, or innovate their product/service offerings.
Enduring Businesses
This category honors businesses that have been in business for more than 10 years, and have shown long-term growth and sustainability.
The Disruptors
This category honors businesses that have introduced or created a brand-new product or service or have built a company that innovates beyond traditional business structure or typical ways of doing business. The business itself or how the business is structured should be groundbreaking, new, or creative in nature.
Culture Champions
This category honors businesses that have built a vibrant and rewarding company culture and leveraged it to attract and retain employees who have together built a profitable and successful company through hard work, dedication, and commitment to the business’s goals and growth.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
CO—100 Benefits
Top Reasons to Apply for the CO—100
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s CO— 100 recognizes and celebrates America’s top small businesses. The annual list of CO— 100 includes thriving, successful companies that are committed to growing the American economy and supporting their local communities. The CO— 100 businesses embody the entrepreneurial spirit, growth mindset, and resilience that define the American enterprise system and drive innovation. Ten CO— 100 businesses will be recognized as the best in class for ten different categories of excellence. One business will be named the CO—100 Top Business of 2025.
To apply for the 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 based 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.
Click here to learn more about the terms and conditions and the full program rules.
Eligible applicants may click here to create an account on CO— and apply for the awards.
Please be aware that once you submit your application, it will be considered final and no revisions are permitted.
To learn more about pricing and deadlines, see our "Dates & Rates" chart above. Please consult the Program Rules for details on a no-fee method to submit your application.
The CO—100 application allows you to holistically describe and showcase your business. There are three main parts of the application:
- Eligibility — Answer a few questions about your business to determine if you’re eligible to apply.
- Business and Financial Information — Share the basics about your business (name, location, etc.), as well as some straightforward questions about your 2023-2024 revenue.
- Categories and Scored Answers — We ask you to select three to five categories from a predetermined list of 10 categories that best represent your business’s strengths. Based on your selection, you’ll answer a mix of multiple choice and open response questions related to how and why your business excels in the categories you selected.
A panel of judges, including representatives from U.S. Chamber of Commerce staff, will choose 100 businesses ("Honorees") to be named the CO— 100. They will then choose from the list of 100 Honorees a total of 10 Top Honorees; and from those 10, they will choose one to be named the CO—100 Top Business of 2025.
A business must fill out an application in order to enter. Chambers of commerce and trade associations are encouraged to refer businesses to the program. However, the business itself must submit an application for the CO— 100 to be considered.
No. If you’ve been previously named to the CO—100, you are not eligible to apply again.
Reach out to us at co100@uschamber.com to learn about other opportunities to get involved in this year’s awards program as a 2024 honoree.
Please refer to the "Dates & Rates" chart above to learn more about the application rate schedule and corresponding deadlines.
Yes! You should still apply. In your application, be sure to address the sales figures you reported and outline your business plan or strategies for growth in 2025 and beyond.
A strong application will draw a clear and concise picture of how the business was started, what makes it unique, and how it has overcome challenges. Make sure your completed application clearly describes your business’s relationship with its community, customers, and employees.
After creating an account and before submitting your final application, answers will be saved automatically so you can revisit or edit any previous responses.
Only businesses that are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce need to enter their member number during the application process. If you are a member and do not have your member number on hand, please call Customer Service at (800) 638-6582 for assistance.
Please email partnerships@uschamber.com for more information on sponsorship opportunities for the CO—100.
Questions regarding CO—100 can be sent to co-100@uschamber.com.
Learn more about the top 100 businesses of 2024—
Latest Content
The CO—100 is the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s expanded small business awards program. Read on to find out more about the program and how to apply.
A complete guide to the terms and conditions, awards, and program rules surrounding the 2025 CO—100.
