Contact: Peter Kerwin
608-890-2045
The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s
Wisconsin School of Business will help recognize small businesses that are taking risks and
building their success stories right here in Dane county. Nominations are being accepted for the
2016 Dane County Small Business Awards to honor small businesses and their owners for their
contributions to the local economy.
“This is a chance to highlight people who have taken on the challenge of launching a small
business and are really contributing to the vitality of our communities,” said Neil Lerner, director
of the SBDC. “Because that’s what small businesses do—they create jobs, they generate
opportunities, and they support their neighborhoods.”
In order to be considered for an award, the business must:
be a successful for-profit company in business for at least three years (or for 1-3 years
for an emerging business award);
have a minimum of three full-time equivalent employees, including the owner;
maintain a responsible and rewarding workplace environment; and
provide support (in-kind or financial) to their neighborhood/community.
Awards will be considered in the following sales and revenue categories—less than $1 million,
$1-5 million, $5-10 million, and $10-20 million. Nominations must be submitted by May 13,
2016 to the SBDC. An online application is available here.
The sponsors of the Dane County Small Business Awards include: Chase, In Business magazine,
Madison Gas & Electric, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, the State of Wisconsin Supplier Diversity
Program, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Small Business Development Center, and the
Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation.
The SBDC at UW-Madison is part of an accredited Wisconsin network of 12 centers located at
four-year UW campuses. Wisconsin SBDCs are funded and managed in collaboration with UW-
Extension and are part of a national network of nearly 1,000 centers.
About the Wisconsin School of Business
The Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a world-renowned
institution that prides itself on academic excellence, a commitment to ethics, and real-world
experiences for its students. Established in 1900, the school was one of the first five business
programs in the nation. Today, it proudly educates students from all walks of life with its
nationally recognized undergraduate, MBA, Ph.D., and professional development programs.
