Published

May 16, 2024

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The U.S. Chamber and CO—, the Chamber’s award-winning digital resource center for small businesses, are proud to celebrate and recognize the very best in American small business.

We have expanded our annual small business awards program to honor the achievements of 100 of the nation's top digital innovators, customer champions, growth accelerators, disruptors, and global stars.

Applications are now open for small businesses to earn their spot on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO—100: America’s Top 100 Small Businesses, an exclusive list of the 100 best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses in America, chosen by the world’s largest business organization and network.

The elite group of 100, to be announced later this year, will receive a one-year paid membership to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, unmatched access to top experts and thought leaders, exclusive community building and networking opportunities, and national media exposure.

“The people who comprise small businesses contribute immeasurably to our local communities and national economy. Their entrepreneurship and resilience drive innovation, create solutions, and employ our neighbors,” said Jeanette Mulvey, Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of CO— by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“In addition to serving small businesses every day through policy advocacy and valuable resources to help people start, run, and grow their businesses, the U.S. Chamber is also proud to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire the next generation of America’s entrepreneurs.”

Enter today!

The CO—100 is an exclusive list of the 100 best and brightest small and mid-sized businesses in America. These are businesses to watch — driving innovation, growth, and ingenuity in their communities and around the world. Our awards program celebrates more than just your business’s bottom line; we care about your ideas, challenges, community, company culture, customers, and overall growth.

Who Will Be America's Top Small Business 2024?

The CO—100 will comprise the nation’s most successful small businesses that are driving innovation, growth, and ingenuity in their communities and around the world. Applications are open at www.co100.com.

Ten of the CO—100 businesses will be recognized as best in class in these key categories and receive $2,000. One company will be named “America’s Top Small Business” and receive $25,000.

  • Growth Accelerators
  • Community Champions
  • Micro-Business Leaders
  • Champions of Adaptability
  • Customer Champions
  • Global Stars
  • Digital Innovators
  • Enduring Businesses
  • The Disruptors
  • Culture Champions

On October 8, the CO—100 members will be celebrated at a premier event at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's historic headquarters in Washington, D.C., where they will participate in one-of-a-kind VIP experiences, have exclusive access to some of the most influential names in business, and engage with top decision-makers. Honorees will be celebrated at a gala dinner, where special guests will help recognize America’s Top 100 Small Businesses. 

Recognizing a Vital Part of the Business Ecosystem

Small businesses employ nearly half the entire American workforce and represent 43.5% of America’s GDP. As we have for over a century, the U.S. Chamber represents the full spectrum of the American business community. And like America, the vast majority of our members – 90% – are small businesses and state and local chambers of commerce.

As the largest business organization and network in the world representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy, we know intimately what makes a business great. The CO—100 celebrates more than just a business’s bottom line; we care about ideas, challenges, community, company culture, customers, and overall growth. 

We're looking for impressive growth strategies, innovative products and services, and an unwavering dedication to serving local communities. 

Eligibility

To apply for the CO— 100 Awards, an applicant must:

  1. Be a legal resident of the United States.
  2. Be a for-profit business operating for at least one (1) year primarily within the United States.
  3. Have fewer than 250 employees or gross revenues of less than $20 million for both 2022 and 2023.
  4. Agree to all of the Award Rules, including potentially attending the award ceremony.

Click here to learn more about the terms and conditions and the full program rules.

Learn More

This awards program is another way the U.S. Chamber supports small businesses. We work every day to give small businesses a big voice in Washington, connecting entrepreneurs and federal officials and advocating for policies that help them grow rather than holding them back.