Every year for over 60 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has celebrated National Small Business Week (NSBW). The purpose is to focus on the contributions that America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners make to our economy, culture, and overall business community. Events across the country mark the week, including awards ceremonies and virtual events. Read on to find out more about NSBW and how you can participate. 

When Is National Small Business Week?

In 2024, NSBW is from April 28 to May 4. The events will highlight the resilience and innovation of America’s entrepreneurs, and how important small businesses are to a healthy economy. 

During the week, the SBA and sponsoring partner SCORE offers tools and information that entrepreneurs and small business owners need to continue to navigate the difficult marketplace to start, grow, and thrive in their business journeys.

Small businesses will find several aspects of NSBW helpful, including: 

• Access to federal resources
• Educational workshops
• Networking

How Can Small Businesses Get Involved?

If you’re a small business owner or a lover of small businesses, you can participate in National Small Business Week in a number of ways to show your support. 

First, you can attend the small business week virtual events (more on that below). You may also attend local, in-person events and popup events – check with your local SBA for more information.  

A great way to participate in NSBW is by sharing your story through social media or email. You can find social media resources at Small Business Trends, including Instragram images to promote NSBW and your business. To make your Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook posts part of the larger conversation, use the following hashtags:

• #SmallBusinessWeek
• #NSBW
• #NationalSmallBusinessWeek

NSBW is a great time to thank your supporters as an entrepreneur or small business owner. If you have the time, you can host an event at your business or write thank you cards to your top supporters. It’s also easy to create a thank you video to show on your social media accounts or send to your email contacts. 

You can also support a local small business of your choice, whether or not that business is your own. Encourage friends and family to pay special attention to small businesses during NSBW, and brag about your favorites in social media or online reviews. 

Small Business Week Virtual Events

A number of small business week events will take place, with virtual participation. The SBA will hold a series of events from April 28 to May 4, including a National Small Business Week virtual summit, educational sessions, and award presentations.

You can attend webinars to help learn more about growing your small business, network with other small business owners, and find resources for your business.

A few standout virtual events this year include:

• Unlock AI’s Potential for Your Small Business (with Grow with Google)
• Building a Foundation for Online Marketing Success (with Constant Contact)
• Navigating Your Cash Flow (with Chase for Business)
• Future of Commerce 2024 (with Square)

Be sure to register here for the virtual summit ahead of time.

SBA National Small Business Week Awards

Each year during NSBW, the SBA recognizes top small businesses in the U.S. with the National Small Business Week Awards. The awards recognize the achievements of small businesses in their communities and the U.S. economy. Awardees are recognized from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, with one winner from each of these areas selected for the Small Business Person of the Year. Each of these winners will compete for the National Small Business Person of the Year award, which is SBA’s top honor. 

Other categories include:

• Small Business Exporter of the Year
• Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery:
  • Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery
  • Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Mitigation
  • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery – Public Official
  • Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery – Volunteer
• Federal Procurement Awards:
  • Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year
  • Small Business Subcontractor of the Year
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower Awards for Excellence (for large prime contractors who use small businesses as suppliers and contractors)
  • 8(a) Graduate of the Year
• Awards to SBA Resource Partners:
  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Excellence and Innovation Center Award
  • Women’s Business Center of Excellence Award
  • Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service
• Small Business Investment Company of the Year

The awards are presented during the NSBW Awards ceremony. Nominations for 2025 open in the fall of 2024.

How Nav Supports Small Businesses

At Nav, we love NSBW. Nav’s main mission is to increase the lifespan of small businesses and help you succeed. Whether you want to grow your business or maintain your current success, Nav curates products and services to help keep you financially stable. 

We are the best small business financial health platform, giving small business owners and entrepreneurs access to business credit-building products, tools to grow cash flow health, partner financing, and more. We use intelligent data to give you customized recommendations to let you know what you can qualify for — before you apply.

Use Nav to help you find the right loan or financing for your business, such as:

• Equipment financing
• Retail business loans
• Construction business loans
• Restaurant loans

And much more. We also help you monitor your business credit through credit reports and help you find ways to boost your business credit score.  

Let us know how you plan to celebrate National Small Business Week 2024.

For more info, please visit SBA.gov.