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Nominate a business for the Meridian Small Business Big Impact Awards

Nominate a business for the Meridian Small Business Big Impact Awards

Help us reward small businesses that are making a big impact. Starting on October 3, 2023, you can nominate a business that you believe is making the world a better place (you can also nominate your own business)!

We’re awarding a total of $300,000 in prizes, including $50,000 for the winning business in each of our contest categories: community, environment, and innovation.

Community impact

This category recognizes businesses that make a positive impact for people facing barriers to equal access and opportunity due to discrimination. When businesses offer their support to equity-deserving groups they can make a huge impact of the overall well-being of their communities.

Environment impact

This category recognizes businesses actively working to minimize the environmental impact of their operations and products, as well as businesses developing solutions that have a positive impact on the environment for others.

Innovation impact

This category recognizes businesses working on new and innovative products and services for their sector. This could include a business that’s revitalizing their industry by implementing new initiatives or practices, or even a business offering something entirely new and original.

Prizes and awards

We’re offering more prizes than ever before! Here’s a complete list of all the awards for nominated businesses.

Community prizes

First place: $50,000 (plus a professional video and photoshoot)

Second place: $25,000 (plus a professional photoshoot)

Third place: $10,000 (plus a professional photoshoot)

Environment prizes

First place: $50,000 (plus a professional video and photoshoot)

Second place: $25,000 (plus a professional photoshoot)

Third place: $10,000 (plus a professional photoshoot)

Innovation prizes

First place: $50,000 (plus a professional video and photoshoot)

Second place: $25,000 (plus a professional photoshoot)

Third place: $10,000 (plus a professional photoshoot)

Prize for the most remarkable start-up

This prize can be awarded in any category to a business, started in the past two years, that is making a positive impact on their community, environment or innovation.

$5,000

Prize for the most nominations

This prize will go to the most-nominated business, in any category.

$5,000

Nomination prize

You will receive $500 if the business you nominate wins one of our $50,000 grand prizes!

3rd annual Small Business Big Impact awards logo

How the contest works

  • Starting October 3, 2023, nominate a business you feel is making a big impact in one of our three categories: community, environment, or innovation.
  • Submit your nomination by October 31, 2023.
  • Include the business information and a short blurb about why they deserve to win.
  • Any business based in Ontario is eligible. The business does not need to be a Meridian Member. We welcome all nominations.


How Meridian selects the winners


A panel of Meridian business experts will choose a group of finalists. We will reach out to these businesses for additional information, including what the prize money could help them achieve. Once we have all the information we need our judging panel will choose the winners!

What our past winners are up to

Do Good Donuts

Do Good Donuts, last year's prize winner, provides work-based training for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities - as well as tasty treats! Watch this video to hear more about their story.

Length (3:40) Transcript