Nominate a Business of the Year

Jan. 15, 2027

Businesses with Fewer than 50 Employees;
Businesses with More than 50 Employees:
Experienced growth and strong financial performance, innovated with new products and technologies, grown customers and excelled in customer satisfaction, and are an employer of choice in our region. They also demonstrate community leadership, and prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the organization or community.

Nonprofit:
Demonstrated a strong commitment to services, fiscal stewardship, innovation, workplace initiatives, excellence in client/customer service and community impact.

Community Involvement:
Demonstrated community leadership and impact, and contributions to community prosperity through financial contributions, sponsorships, employee volunteerism or in-kind products and services. They also prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within their work. 

Minority-owned business (in partnership with UMEA, the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance):
Recognizes a minority-owned business that exemplifies business leadership, innovation, customer/client satisfaction, high standards of service, and overall growth in the past year.

Membership in the CenterState CEO Network, which includes CenterState CEO and GOFCC members, and INSPYRE Innovation Hub clients and tenants, is required for nomination in the Fewer than 50 Employees, More than 50 Employees, Community Involvement and Nonprofit categories.

Companies that have won within the last five award years (2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022) cannot be recognized in the same category. Selection criteria and award consideration is not based on number of submissions.

• Company Growth & Achievements
• Products & Services
• Customer/Client Satisfaction
• Financial Performance; Fiscal Stewardship/Fundraising
• Innovation
• Employer of Choice/Employee Satisfaction
• Community Commitment, Impact & Leadership
• Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within your organization or community