Put Your Business in the Spotlight: Enter the SFA National Small Business Awards 2026

The SFA National Small Business Awards 2026 celebrate the innovation, resilience, and success of small businesses in Ireland – the entrepreneurs driving growth, creating jobs, and shaping communities.

Small business owners hardly ever take the time to examine their business journey and reap the reward of their hard work. The SFA National Small Business Awards, now in their 22nd year, offer a powerful platform to elevate your business’s achievements and vision – not only before your own team but on a national scale.

The Significance of the SFA Awards

Finalists in the SFA National Small Business Awards gain credibility and visibility through feature coverage in the Irish Independent and participation in high-profile business events. They also benefit from a valuable support package worth €50,000, including strategic masterclasses, one-to-one mentorship, and showcase opportunities at the SFA Business Connect event. Most importantly, the Awards provide meaningful recognition for your team, spotlighting their achievements and reinforcing pride, unity, and motivation within the business.

The Awards Alumni

These awards represent the highest accolade for small business in the Republic of Ireland and boast alumni that are exemplars of small enterprise. The programme is well recognised as a market leader amongst the small business community and attracts a very high calibre of entries across each category. Past Finalists and Winners include companies like Mr. Crumb; Daft.ie; VITHIT; VOYA; The Smooth Company; Leinster Environmentals; Drink Botanicals Ireland; and Sculpted by Aimee; to name a few.

For many businesses the Awards ignited growth, opened doors, and boosted credibility. Yours could be next.

How to apply

1 - Choose the Right Category for Your Strength: select a category that aligns with your business’s achievements and values. There are ten different options to choose from and you can apply for multiple categories as long as you fit the criteria.

• Manufacturing – outstanding growth and innovation in Irish manufacturing.
• Food & Drink – celebrating excellence and passion in Ireland’s food and beverage sector.
• Services – recognising customer care, employee focus, and service excellence.
• Outstanding Small Business (≤5 employees) – innovation and strong management in micro-businesses.
• Innovation – rewarding new products, processes, or technologies with measurable success.
• Sustainability – leadership in environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
• Workplace Wellbeing – impactful employee wellbeing initiatives that boost performance.
• Exporter of the Year – strong strategy and results in international markets.
• Family Business – celebrating culture, governance, and long-term planning.
• Emerging New Business – ventures under two years with high growth potential.

2 - Craft your application to meet the judging criteria and tell your authentic story.

3 – Submit your application by the deadline: 5PM on Friday, 24 October 2025. You can find all application forms in the category page at www.SFAAwards.ie. 

Your next chapter starts now. Empower your business by entering the SFA National Small Business Awards 2026. Let your story be heard, celebrated, and remembered.

To get you inspired

Hear from finalists & winners of the 21^st edition of the SFA National Small Business Awards:

• “An absolute privilege to be in a room with so many entrepreneurs. A real ‘pinch me’ moment for our little business.” - Your Friend, My Friend, Winner, Emerging New Business 2025
• “Being part of this programme has been the highlight of my professional career. It gave me confidence in myself and my business, with incredible support from peers and the SFA team.” - The Delicious Food Co, Finalist, Food & Drink 2025
• “The opportunities as a finalist were the best we have received. At every stage, we made genuine business connections and gained valuable coverage.” - Dublin Herbalists, Finalist, Retail 2025
• “It boosted team morale and shone a bright light on our future. If we hadn’t done it, we would have regretted it.” - PD Ceramics Ltd, Finalist, Workplace Wellbeing 2025
• “An excellent support for small businesses. Far superior to any other awards programme we’ve entered.” — Lawrence Engineering, Winner, Manufacturing 2025
• Watch the winners interviews here.

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• For questions on the awards please contact SFA DM & Events Executive, Naira Ludescher on naira.ludescher@sfa.ie or call 01 605 1776.
• Know a fantastic small business that don't get enough recognition for their incredible work? Nominate them today for the SFA Awards.