Who Wants To Be 'Small Business Innovator Of The Year'?

Small business owners with 500 or fewer employees still have time to enter the 'Small Business Innovator of the Year' contest. The annual contest is open to small and innovative companies located in Monmouth and Ocean counties in New Jersey. Companies can compete in six categories.

Submission categories still open include:

1. -Retail/Wholesale: Deadline for submissions 12 a.m. March 15, 2017
2. -Technology: Deadline for submissions 12 a.m. April 15, 2017
3. -Real estate/home improvement/energy: Deadline for submissions 12 a.m. May 15, 2017
4. -Engineering & manufacturing: Deadline for submissions 12 a.m. June 15, 2017
5. -Leisure and Hospitality: Deadline for submissions 12 a.m. July 15, 2017
6. -People’s Choice: Opens July 16. Deadline for votes 12 a.m. Aug. 15, 2017

The People’s Choice award will be selected by a public vote on Aug. 15, 2017. The finalist with the most votes will be the winner of the People’s Choice Award. From here, judges will select among all the finalists the 'Business Innovator of the Year." The Grand Prize Winner will be named Small Business Innovator of the Year and receive $5,000.

Applicants must be small business owners with innovative ideas that will improve their community, solve a problem, or improve the quality of life.

Find out how to apply by visiting www.app.com/story/money/business/innovators/2017/02/08/small-business-innovator-year-rules/97638468/