The Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center is asking the public to nominate businesses for the first annual ELEVATE Awards.

Since 2011, the goal of Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center (FVEC) has been to promote small businesses to new heights of steady and longstanding success. This October, the organization will host its largest fundraiser of the year, ELEVATE, on Friday, Oct. 21, at the St. Charles Country Club, 1250 Country Club Road in St. Charles. To learn more about event registration, visit this page of the FVEC website.

The event will unveil the first annual ELEVATE awards to showcase Fox Valley area businesses that are making strides and differences in their communities. Nominations are now being accepted in the following categories:

• “Entrepreneur of the Year” — This award is for a company formed within the past 10 years who has achieved exponential growth and success, particularly with the creation of local jobs in the community.
• “Community Business of the Year”  — This award is for a company that has shown tremendous commitment to the Fox Valley through the support of social services, community service, economic development and philanthropy.
•  “Innovator of the Year” — This award is for a company that has used innovation in their business to achieve growth and success, through the use of technology, strategic partnerships or creativity implementing a business strategy or process.

For more information about nominating a Fox Valley area business, visit http://www.fvec.org/awards/.

About the FVEC

The Fox Valley Entrepreneurship Center began in 2010 as a collaboration between several local entrepreneurs and supporting organizations. The mission of the FVEC is to provide critical support to companies to help them create jobs, expand their business and grow revenue. Further, they foster an environment in which businesses strive for excellence and where innovation is nourished. This is accomplished through training and advising the business owner, providing strategic introductions and engaging in strategic/growth planning across all areas of a business. As a non-profit, the center supports these programs through private donations and grants. To learn more about the FVEC, visit their website at www.fvec.org.