Contests & Awards: Franchising Women, NYTimes Pitch Contest ...

Welcome to a fresh list of awards, contests and competitions for growing companies and entrepreneurs.

There are some great contests and awards in this week?s roundup.

If you?ve entered and won a contest or award listed here, let me know so we can share your news.

This list is brought to you every other week by Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com.

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.Biz 10th Anniversary Contest
Enter by March 31, 2012

Today, there are more than 2.2 million .biz domain registrations and Neustar is taking part in celebrating SMBs that dared to stand out in a crowd.

Businesses can visit http://www.my.biz/10year/ and share how they used .biz to increase the reach of their brand image. Once SMBs have shared their stories, visitors will cast their votes. Winners will receive awards and a Best of .Biz seal to recognize their website.

2012 SCORE Awards
Enter by March 31, 2012

The 2012 SCORE Award categories include Outstanding Veteran-Owned Small Business, Outstanding Minority-Owned Small Business and Outstanding Green Small Business. The SCORE Awards gala will be held in August and will honor successful and innovative entrepreneurs and the small business advocates who support entrepreneurship in America. See website for nomination FAQs and entry details.

BizSugar Small Business Coaching Tips #Contest
Enter by April 5, 2012

The folks at BizSugar would like to hear your coaching tips. What tips or advice can you provide to other small business owners that will enable them to successfully coach new employees, existing employees or potential employees or business associates in a positive and effective manner?

And then ask yourself this question, ?How Coachable Am I?? How do you receive feedback and coaching? Are you open to it? What techniques do you respond to? Taking a look at how you receive it may enable you to better deliver it.

Post your coaching tip (and your Twitter username) by the end of day on April 5, 2012, in the comments section on the blog for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Amazon.

GrowAmerica Springboard Competition
Enter by April 6, 2012

Grow America Springboard events allow entrepreneurs to compete for cash awards and business services to help them create new jobs and lift local economies. Grow America will provide $1,000,000 in cash awards and resources over the course of three events in 2012 and a Utah state championship in January 2013. See website for details and entry rules.

One Woman, One Franchise- #OWOF
OWOF -Franchise contestEnter by April 6, 2012

The One Woman One Franchise contest (#OWOF on Twitter) is for a woman who is interested in purchasing a franchise, but is looking for guidance and support. One winner will receive franchise ownership advice from Joel Libava, the Franchise King, as well as a package of services to get you up and running with a franchise ? including incorporation filing from Corpnet, a press release, a 6-month subscription to LivePlan, a franchise disclosure agreement review consultation by attorney Rush Nigut, online consulting from Matt About Business, and free books by Nicole Fende and Carol Roth. to qualify, you fill out the contest form here indicating in 200 words or less why you want to become a franchise owner.

Leading Moms in Business Competition
Enter by April 16, 2012

Everybody knows one. Like a super hero, she balances running a family with the heroics of running her own business. We?re talking about moms in business, of course. And now, StartupNation is conducting its third annual ranking of these astonishing entrepreneurs and the businesses they run.

Over the next few months, it?ll be your daily votes that determine the top 200 Leading Moms in Business. In addition the judges will determine special awards and accolades for moms within the top 200 who deserve special recognition.

Inc. 500/5000
Enter by April 30, 2012

There are nearly 7 million private, employee-based firms in America. Only the very best are awarded the distinction of being named to the Inc.500 | 5000, the gold standard of entrepreneurial success. You?ll be listed with other leading companies at Inc.com, and your company may be featured in the September 2012 issue.

If you are proud of your company?s growth over the past three years, you owe it to yourself ? and to your employees ? to apply for the Inc.500 | 5000.

BBB Small Business Customer Service Makeover Contest
Enter by April 30, 2012

The contest is open to small businesses headquartered in Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island or Vermont. The winning business will receive exposure of their business, improved business practices and professional advice. The contest is free to enter and will provide a learning experience for business owner(s) and employees. BBB will provide up to $5,000 in support and material funds. See website for rules and entry details.

Downtown Ithaca?s Race for the Space
Enter by May 1, 2012

Are you an existing or aspiring retailer or entrepreneur? The winner of Race for the Space will win free rent for one year in a prime retail or office space, a one year advertising package in the Ithaca Times, design services for storefront layout and signage and more. The package is worth over $40,000.

See website for details and entry rules.

2012 Lanza Enterprise Awards Program (LEAP)
Enter by May 3, 2012

Informational Teleconference April 5, 2012: (712) 451-6175, PIN-1095742#

WEDC is once again offering the Lanza Enterprise Awards Program (LEAP) to help women entrepreneurs boost their businesses to the next level. Five $5,000 equity awards will be presented to WEDC 15-Week Program graduates or participants who have completed comprehensive business plans and who meet the award criteria.

This program is a collaboration among the Lanza Family Foundation, the Women?s Research and Education Fund (WREF) and the Women?s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC). It is designed to help women who are owners of microenterprises (businesses with five or fewer employees) achieve greater business success.

The New York Enterprise Report 2012 Small Business Awards
Enter by May 21, 2012

The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards is the annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of the 500,000+ small businesses throughout the tri-state area. The Small Business Awards will recognize 5 small businesses for their best practices and 3 businesses under the ?Best of the Year Awards? categories.

A panel of experts in the related fields will judge all award packages. Awards will be presented to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages, revenue profits and/or long-term value. Please note the criteria and requirements listed on the awards website.

The New York Times Make Your Pitch Contest
Enter by August 29, 2012

Submit your pitch on video, telling about your product or service, your marketing plans, your customer base. Tell what makes your business different ? why it is one to watch? Do you need capital? If so, how much and what for? Most important, how are you going to make money?

All video pitches that meet the submission guidelines will be featured on The New York Times small-business Facebook page and selected pitches will be featured on the New York Times You?re the Boss Blog.

If you are putting on a small business contest, award or competition, and want to get the word out to the community, please submit it through our Events & Contests Submission Form. (We do not charge a fee to be included in this listing.) Only events of interest to small business people, freelancers and entrepreneurs will be considered and included.

Please note: The descriptions provided here are for convenience only and are NOT the official rules. ALWAYS read official rules carefully at the site holding the competition, contest or award.

[photo credit: Shorts and Longs Flickr]

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