• Entry to the Awards is free of charge.
• All entries must be submitted via the official Good Small Business Awards online portal.
• Entries must meet the stated Entry Criteria. Entries that do not meet these requirements may be disqualified.
• Entries must be submitted before the stated deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

To ensure fairness, credibility, and meaningful comparison, the Awards primarily focus on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), alongside one dedicated category recognising exceptional micro businesses.

Eligible entrants must:

• Be UK-registered and independently owned
• Have been trading for a minimum of two full financial years
• Be able to evidence impact, governance and operational sustainability relevant to the award category
• Fall within the UK Government’s definition of a Small or Medium-sized Enterprise (SME)

For the purposes of the Awards, SMEs are defined as:

• Small: 10–49 Employees
• Medium: 50–249 Employees

Businesses with fewer than 10 employees (micro businesses) are not eligible for the main awards categories. However, one exceptional micro business will be recognised through the Best Micro Business award.

• Businesses may enter up to two award categories.
• A separate entry form must be completed for each category.
• Each entry must be specifically tailored to the selected category. Duplicate or substantially similar submissions across categories may be removed.
• The organisers reserve the right to reassign entries to a more appropriate category where necessary.

• All information provided must be accurate to the best of your knowledge.
• Entrants may be asked to provide additional supporting information or clarification during the judging process.
• All information submitted will be treated as strictly confidential and used solely for the purposes of judging.

• Entrants are responsible for ensuring that any testimonials, personal data, or third-party information included in submissions comply with applicable data protection regulations (including GDPR).
• By submitting an entry, you confirm that you have the right to use and share all information provided.

• Sponsors may not enter the category they are sponsoring.
• Judges will not participate in the judging of any category in which they have a personal or professional interest.

• All entries will be assessed by an independent judging panel in line with the Awards criteria.
• The judges’ decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding outcomes.
• The organisers reserve the right not to award a category if, in the judges’ opinion, the required standard has not been met.

• Shortlisted finalists will be notified and invited to participate in the Good Business Showcase & Fundraising Gala (October 2026).
• Winners will be announced at the Good Small Business Awards Ceremony (March 2027).
• Finalists and winners may be invited to take part in publicity, case studies, and promotional activity relating to the Awards.

• The organisers reserve the right to amend timelines or event formats where necessary.
• The organisers reserve the right to extend entry deadlines.
• The organisers reserve the right to update categories or eligibility requirements.
• By submitting an entry, you agree to these Entry Conditions.