Nominations are open for the Small Business BC Awards

A pop-up shop on Vancouver's Main Street that might sell necklaces during the day before housing an intimate concert at night; a German deli in Delta run by a certified "Fleischer Meister"; a North Vancouver boxing gym that preaches diversity and inclusion. These are just some of the companies vying for...

Credit: Rocky Point Ice Cream on Twitter

Port Moody’s Rocky Point Ice Cream won last year’s Small Business BC Award for best company

Any business in the province that has fewer than 50 employees and is registered in B.C. is eligible

A pop-up shop on Vancouver’s Main Street that might sell necklaces during the day before housing an intimate concert at night; a German deli in Delta run by a certified “Fleischer Meister”; a North Vancouver boxing gym that preaches diversity and inclusion.

These are just some of the companies vying for the Small Business BC Awards, now that nominations are open again. People from all over the province are encouraged to submit their favourite companies for consideration.

Customers and entrepreneurs alike can submit nominees in 10 categories, including innovation, employer and apprentice training. The contest is open to all new and existing companies that have less than 50 employees and are registered in B.C.

You can submit nominations until November 30, and the awards ceremony takes place on February 23, 2018, at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Once the deadline passes, a panel of local business professionals put together by resource centre Small Business BC judges the top ten vote getters in each category. Last year’s panel included former Dragons’ Den investor Vikram Vij. The jury then narrows each category down to five applicants, with companies required to submit a 10-minute pitch in person or via Skype.

The winner of each category takes home a $1,500 cash prize, as well as that sweet, sweet notoriety.

Click here to cast your vote for the dog bakery around the corner that uses only biodegradable products (OK, we made that one up).