REQUIREMENTS:

An Ethnic Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) is defined as a business that is owned or controlled (greater than 50 percent) by the following persons or groups of persons that are also U.S. Citizens or Resident Aliens admitted for lawful admission to the United States: African Americans, Alaska Native, Asian, Asian Indian, Asian Pacific Americans, Hasidic Jews, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders. 

Eligible nominees include, and are not limited to, business owners, business executives, nonprofit organizations, for-profit firms and Institutions, universities and colleges, and local, state and federal government representatives.

The awards listed under Minority – Owned Firms Awards are reserved as minority business presentations. The remaining MED Week Champion Awards, are open to qualified nominees without regard to ethnic minority status.

 · Award nomination applications are online, www.samedweek.org. Applications will be submitted by the UTSA-Institute for Economic Development’s San Antonio Minority Business Development Agency Centers’ 38th Annual MED Week Consortium, other organizations, strategic partners, and stakeholders. · Nominations may be submitted by individuals or organizations in any applicable category, and may be submitted for more than one award category. Self-nominations are also permitted. In addition, nominations may be submitted by the UTSA-Institute for Economic Development (IED) San Antonio Minority Business Development Agency Centers’ staff.· 

No Past Five (5) Year, 2017 – 2022, Award Winners will be nominated.· Nominations should address the specific evaluation criterion applicable to the award category. Narratives should be thorough and concise.· The nomination package is comprised of: (1) the nomination form; (2) narratives addressing the specific evaluation criterion/information; and (3) a nominee biography or an organization overview (as applicable.) Application attachments shall not exceed four (4) pages.· Unless it is requested, do not include any additional material, such as promotional materials, annual reports, · Do not submit photographs. Category winners will have five days after receipt of official notification to submit a high-resolution photo.· Complete award nomination applications via the website.· Any questions? Contact Jacqueline M. Jackson, Telephone Number: 210-458-2483,or Jacqueline.jackson@utsa.edu.   

  ETHNIC MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS 

1. Minority Advanced Manufacturing Firm Presented to the minority-owned firm that has achieved success in employing innovative technology, creating high quality manufacturing jobs, and significant market share increases. 

2. Minority Business Support Firm Presented to a high-performing, minority-owned company that has achieved outstanding marketing, PR, Payroll, and/or Consulting Services success. 

3. Minority Construction Firm Presented to the minority-owned firm that has achieved success in private or public sector projects and has exhibited revenue and job growth over a sustained two (2) year minimum timeframe. 

4. Minority Exporting Firm Presented to a high-performing, minority-owned company that has achieved outstanding export success. This success is reflected in increased exports, new market development, increased revenues, and job growth.  

5. Minority Health Care FirmPresented to a minority-owned company that has achieved notable success, by improving healthcare delivery, and quality through innovation.

6. Minority Hospitality, Tourism, Entertainment FirmPresented to a minority-owned Hospitality, Tourism, or Entertainment firm that has provided outstanding success as an economic driver that includes revenue, job creation, and job growth. 

7. Minority Skilled Trade FirmPresented to a minority-owned certified skilled trade company that has achieved increased revenue, job growth, and sustainability success, e. g. Plumbing, Carpentry, Welding, Pipefitting

8. Minority Technology Firm Presented to a minority-owned technology company that has achieved notable success employing innovative techniques, and ideas that promote greater efficiency, and productivity, e. g. products, and or services. 

9. Minority Veteran FirmPresented to a minority Veteran owned company that has achieved outstanding success in increased revenue, job growth, sustainability, market share, and customer satisfaction.

10. Minority Entrepreneur of the YearPresented to a minority business owner who has exhibited the skills necessary to initiate, and grow a successful business venture, e.g. visionary,  risk taker, innovator, change agent, community leader 

11. The Minority Resilience Award (The Non-Five Year Requirement is Waived )Presented to company that responded to COVID-19 challenges, and survived, and thrived through unpredictable, changing, and potential unfavorable events. Resiliency is the key, e. g. business builders, retooling, new markets, organizational restructuring  

      MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONS
12. Distinguished Business Advocate Award Presented to an individual or organization demonstrating outstanding financial commitment, and leadership to the minority business community, e.g. traditional, and or alternative working or investment capital.

13. MED Week Chairman’s Resiliency Award Presented to a group or individual that has shown consistent and outstanding minority business enterprise advocacy. The Awardee plays an integral role in the creative, technical, or professional progress of mi