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The 2026 Credibly Small Business Award is Open

Celebrating the entrepreneurs shaping our communities. Win up to $30,000 to support your business.

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Credibly Small Business Award

What is the Credibly Small Business Award?

The Credibly Small Business Award celebrates passionate business owners who are making an impact in their communities. We award exceptional small businesses each year with funding to accelerate their growth.

First Place:

$30,000

Second Place:

$20,000

Third Place:

$10,000

September 1 – September 30, 2026

Small-Business-Loans

Who Can Apply?

We’re looking for:

  • U.S.-based active small businesses
  • Operating for at least 6 months
  • Must use a business banking account
  • For-profit ( Non-Profit organizations are not eligible)
  • At least $500 in revenue on the most recent month’s bank statement

Additional eligibility requirements apply. See the official rules for full details.

Award badge for Small Business Award 2025 on Credibly mobile app.

How It Works

  • Apply Online

    Fill out our short application and tell us your story.

  • Selection Process

    Winners will be selected through a random drawing from all eligible entries.

  • Winners Announced

    Potential winners will be contacted after the random drawing and asked to complete a verification process.

Past Winners: Real Stories, Real Impact

ARK Solvers

2025 Winner​

SM2 Health & Apparel

2025 Winner​

True Self Films

2025 Winner​
Smiling woman at juice bar with award badge, promoting healthy community business.

The Juice Joint

2024 Winner​
Woman making fluffy cotton candy at a colorful candy shop.

Yummi Kotton

2024 Winner​
Woman smiling while working on pottery in a workshop, holding a pottery piece.

Korai Goods

2024 Winner​
Satisfied business owner sharing positive experience with Credibly funding.

I basically started from scratch…Fast forward now…in 2026, we built ARK Solvers. We're actually one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity and IT companies. And, we are in growth mode, well over a million dollars in revenue, and we are rocking and rolling, and growing our business.

Reginald Andre | Founder, ARK Solvers

Read Their Story →
Satisfied business owner sharing positive experience with Credibly funding.

Building an entirely new category as a solo founder can be taxing. But every day, I see at least five people wearing knee braces or compression sleeves, and that’s the signal. When I notice someone hesitating to attend an event or participate in an activity, already dreading the recovery that will follow, it reinforces that this problem is real, visible, and underserved. My hope is that SM2 becomes a consistent part of an active person’s life, clothing worn in the moments and places where progress happens. Gear that removes doubt, supports movement, and helps people pursue what matters without thinking twice.

Sean Moore | Owner, SM2 Health & Apparel

Read Their Story →
Satisfied business owner sharing positive experience with Credibly funding.

I realized that it's also cathartic to be able to tell these stories. About women and about women's issues and mental health and all these things, and I realized that it's twofold for me to have the production company because not only does it help me get through my personal issues, but it also helps me highlight other women's issues and also help my community.

Margaux Amie | Founder, True Self Films

Read Their Story →
Satisfied business owner sharing positive experience with Credibly funding.

I wanted to provide a place for people to get healthy...The Juice Joint is the baby, but eventually I want to open a wellness center.

Nia Times | Owner, The Juice Joint

Read Their Story →
Satisfied business owner sharing positive experience with Credibly funding.

My daughter, she loves candy. My son, he loves candy. This is something that I can actually take my children to work with me...It's something that we can do as a family.

Kareem Joseph | Founder, Yummi Kotton

Read Their Story →
Satisfied business owner sharing positive experience with Credibly funding.

The immediate impacts were that I actually get to breathe a little bit and take time off with my child. And the second impact was this money will now make me money.

Corrie Ruffin | Owner, Korai Goods

Read Their Story →

September 1 – September 30, 2026

The 2026 Credibly Small Business Award is Closed

The Credibly Small Business Award gives business owners a chance to win up to $30,000.

7,888 businesses have entered!

Business financing pre-qualification process with Credibly.

The 2026 Credibly Small Business Award is Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications close on September 30, 2026.
Eligible businesses must be U.S.-based, for-profit, actively operating and selling a product or service for at least six months. Businesses must also have an active business bank account and at least $500 in revenue on their most recent month’s bank statement. Additional eligibility requirements and exclusions apply. See the full official rules for complete details.
Winners are selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries on or about October 2026. Odds depend on total number of eligible entries received. Any optional answers or information provided on the application form will not be used as a determining factor in selecting our winners.
Potential winners will be contacted after the random drawing and asked to complete the required verification process. Confirmed award recipients will be announced in October 2026.
Yes; there’s no purchase or entry fee required to apply for the Credibly Small Business Award.¹
No. You don’t need to be a current Credibly customer to enter. If your business meets the eligibility requirements, you’re welcome to apply.²
No. The Credibly Small Business Award isn’t a business loan or other form of business financing. Winners receive their award as a one-time cash payment, with no regular repayments.³
Yes. The 2026 Credibly Small Business Award gives three small businesses a total of $60,000 in cash grants: a $30,000 First Place award, $20,000 Second Place award, and $10,000 Third Place award.⁴ Looking for other opportunities? Explore more on small business grants.
That’s up to you! The official rules don’t limit award funds to specific business expenses, giving winners flexibility in how they put their award to work.⁵
Yes. Applying in a previous year doesn’t prevent an eligible business from entering the 2026 Credibly Small Business Award.⁶
Yes, as long as you’ve been in business long enough to qualify. Eligible businesses must have been operating and selling a product or service for at least six months at the time they enter.⁷ If you’re looking for more ways to support your business, check out these resources for small businesses.

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DISCLAIMERS

  1. No purchase necessary. Standard internet or mobile data rates may apply.
  2. Eligibility requirements and exclusions apply. See the official rules for complete details.
  3. If a winning business permanently closes, files for bankruptcy, or otherwise ceases business operations within three months of receiving an award, Credibly reserves the right to require repayment of the full award amount.
  4. The Credibly Small Business Award is administered as a sweepstakes. Winners are selected through a random drawing from all eligible entries.
  5. Winners are responsible for any applicable federal, state, and local taxes associated with receiving an award.
  6. Limit one entry per business for the 2026 Sweepstakes. Businesses under common ownership or that are part of a franchise are considered a single business for purposes of entry.
  7. Additional eligibility requirements apply. See the official rules for complete eligibility requirements.