How To Apply For Business Awards For Your Startups? - A Stepwise Guide

There is nothing more motivating than receiving awards and getting recognized by award committees, especially for start-ups. Entrepreneurs’ hard work pays off when their business makes it into the market and people start appreciating its products or services.

But, how do start-ups get recognized by award committees and how do we apply for it? There is a procedure as to how you can take your business to the next level. Surprisingly, getting nominated for business awards might not be as tough as you might think.

Winning a business award can be easy but most start-up owners are not bothered even to at least try for it. Given below is the complete process to apply for business awards.

Stepwise Process to Apply for Business Awards
Step 1. Locate Awards
Step 2. Find out Awards won by your Competitors
Step 3. Look into the National Awards
Step 4. Look into Industry Awards
Step 5. Start your Application Process
Step 6. Design a proper written application
Step 7. Submitting the application form
Step 8. Earning the award
Where To Apply For Business Awards?
Conclusion
FAQs

Stepwise Process to Apply for Business Awards

Receiving awards is the ultimate motivation for business owners. Here are steps to follow and apply for business awards.

Step 1. Locate Awards

The first step would include clarifying the types of awards that you want to apply for. Do not waste time on awards that your business will never be able to win. There are two different parts to ensure that you are applying for the right awards.

The first part is to make sure that your business qualifies for the awards that you are applying for. Certain entries need to be made like the type of industry, location of the business, and the size of the business.

The second part is to make sure that applying for those awards that your business does well. Study your business well and note down the strengths of your business. For example, if your business is known for excellent delivery services, apply for a similar category.

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Step 2. Find out Awards won by your Competitors

Knowing about the achievements made by your competitors will give you an idea about choosing to apply for the right awards. Visit the official websites of your competitors and see what awards and achievements they have made.

Look and analyze those awards that your competitors have won the most number of times. Applying for the same category and winning could give you a chance to break the winning streak of your competitors.

Step 3. Look into the National Awards

Operating a small business does not mean you cannot look into national awards for your business. Last year, a Bangalore-based start-up named Mandya Organic won the national award under the agricultural sector award.

Based on your business’ services or the products that it is offering you can look into similar categories of awards. Winning national awards will not only market your products and services but will create a sense of recognition in people’s minds. The competition will be fierce if you apply for national awards. Some of the most reputed and prestigious awards that you can apply to are:

• Quality Mark Award
• India 5000 Best MSME Awards
• Emerging Entrepreneurs
• Golden Peacock Awards
• Small Business Awards
• Emerging India Awards

Step 4. Look into Industry Awards

There are special awards for each type of industry for the best businesses within that industry. Try to check with the trade publications, magazines, and industry websites to check whether they have any kind of business awards for your business.

Also while looking into industry awards in various places do not miss out on the local awards. Local magazines, local newspapers, local Chamber of Commerce might have certain programs that might gain your attention. Winning local awards might not give you recognition as compared to after winning a national award but it still matters a lot.

Step 5. Start your Application Process

As soon as you find awards that are the most suitable for your business start applying for them without wasting a minute. Start the application process so that you don’t miss out on the opportunity.

If there is more than one award that you are applying then make a schedule to fill them all out. During the weekends when you are free or at night fill out all the forms and submit them. Your time will get paid off once you win the award.

Step 6. Design a proper written application

Before you do anything else make sure you plan your written applications properly. Sit down, relax and start writing down the figures and facts that you want to mention in your application. Keep your key points ready by making a list of them.

If you want you can note down or provide additional information but try not to miss out on anything that could be crucial for your business. Check out the list against the requirements of the award so that your business has a fair chance of winning.

Step 7. Submitting the application form

You have worked hard so that your business can get recognized by more people. You have to submit your application because it would be useless if you do not submit it.

Before submitting the application form let your family members proofread it once so that they can point out mistakes (if there are any). Check that all the documents attached with the application form are correct and updated to prevent issues later on. Wrong information or attachment could straight away disqualify your application. Keep a copy of your application so that in the future you know preparing for it step by step.

Step 8. Earning the award

After you have submitted your application form there is nothing else that you can do now. Keep patience and wait for the results to be announced. Winning the award does not mean your hard work has come to an end because you still have to showcase your business to the world.

To make that happen prepare a good story of your business because people love to hear something new and that’s what will give your business a stand-out advantage. Explain your hardships and the dedication that you made to developing your business.

Where To Apply For Business Awards?

Applying for business awards is easy but from where? There are some online websites where you just have to register your company to apply for business awards.

• acebusinessawards.com (online)
• thebusinessawards.com (online)
• thetitanawards.com (online)
• startupindia.gov.in/awards (online)

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Conclusion

It is a great feeling to win an award especially if it is for your start-up business. Winning awards and achieving great things will become the only motivating factor once you do good in the business world.

FAQs

How to get nominated for the local business awards?

To get nominated for the local business awards follow the steps given below:

• Visit the local business official website
• Submit coupons that should be provided by the local media partner
• Submit coupons located at their favorite business premises.

Which are the most prestigious business awards in the world?

The most prestigious business awards are:

• Scale-Up Awards
• Growing Business Awards
• International Business Awards
• European Business Awards
• Great British Entrepreneur Awards

Why winning awards are important?

Winning awards will not only create market value but is good for the credibility of your company. New business and new contracts will flourish once a company starts winning prestigious awards.