Award Categories

Business Excellence Award

This category is eligible businesses or social enterprises who have been operating for 5 years and over.

Judging will be based on a combination of the following factors:

  • Profitability
  • Innovation and/or creativity
  • Financial & social challenges overcome
  • Contribution to community

Most Promising New Business Award

New businesses or social enterprises that have been operating between 1 and up to 5 years are eligible for this award.

Judging will be based on a combination of the following factors.

  • Contribution to community
  • Profitability
  • Innovation and/or creativity
  • Financial & social challenges overcome

Multicultural Impact Award

This award is determined by the judging panel based on the finalists of both the business excellence and new business categories. The judges will determine which business has had the most multicultural impact.

Criteria that will be considered include:

  • Encouraging participation in the work force within the Northern Metropolitan multicultural community.
  • Businesses that encourage unity and social cohesion.
  • Businesses that contribute to a better understanding of the Northern Metropolitan regions diverse communities.
  • Businesses that help create positive attitudes towards multicultural communities.

Women's Small Business Champion

This award is determined by the judging panel based on the finalists of both the business excellence and new business categories. The judges will determine which female small business owner will be awarded the Women’s Small Business Champion Award.

Criteria that will be considered include:

  • Demonstrating innovation, determination and/or entrepreneurial drive to overcome business obstacles or adversity. 
  • Mentored or inspired others to strive for success.
  • Contributed to a better understanding of the Northern Metropolitan regions diverse communities.
  • Displayed sound financial management and acumen.
  • Used their success to contribute to the community.

ENTRIES ARE CLOSED

Most Promising Stepping Stones Graduate Award

Stepping Stones is a unique micro-enterprise program run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) that is tailored to women from a refugee and migrant background.  Stepping Stones offers participants the opportunity to learn in an environment which is supportive, gender aware and tailored for women who have English as an additional language. The program aims to give women the confidence and knowledge of the implications of starting a small business in Australia.

This award is determined by a BSL judging panel based on business plans submitted by the Stepping Stones graduates.

Criteria that will be considered include:

  • Applicant must be a graduate of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Stepping Stones Program.
  • Has demonstrated innovation, determination and/or entrepreneurial drive to overcome business obstacles or adversity.
  • Prepared a Business Plan that shows promise, that is well researched, realistic, clearly written and include details of a market analysis, description of product/s or service/s, financial overview and proposed marketing and sales activities.
  • Must submit a completed business plan to the Stepping Stones Coordinator, Rebecca Pinney Meddings via email RMeddings@bsl.org.au by Close of Business 20th September 2019.

The Award winner will be selected by a BSL appointed judge and the award recipient will receive their award at the NMSB Awards night.  

This award is not open to the general public, only Stepping Stones Graduates are eligible to apply.

 

The Northern Multicultural Small Business Awards (NMSBA) are an initiative to encourage and recognise the achievements of Multicultural Small Businesses in the Northern Region of Victoria.

The awards seek to celebrate the contributions of multicultural small business owners including; migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
The awards actively support cultural diversity, encourage business excellence and innovation and further promote social cohesiveness and community harmony within Victoria.

You are eligible to enter if you operate your small business in one of these Northern Region Council areas:

 

  • City of Banyule

  • City of Darebin

  • City of Hume

  • City of Moreland

  • City of Whittlesea

  • City of Yarra

  • Nillumbik Shire Council

  • City of Moonee Valley

Key Dates & Important Information

Nominations Open Tuesday 6th August 2019
Nominations Close Friday 20th September 2019 at 5pm
Finalists Announced 17th -19th of October 2019.
Finalists will be contacted by phone.
Northern Multicultural Small Business Awards Night 30th October 2019 at 7pm