About the Wisconsin BBB Spark Awards

Recognizing the hard work of Wisconsin's new business owners.

At the heart of a trustworthy marketplace are entrepreneurs creating businesses that will transform and enhance the communities they serve. The BBB Spark Award is an international award that honors eligible social entrepreneurs, startup founders and new business owners that embody and cultivate the Three C's of Trust: Character, Culture and Community. These individuals are the future of a trusted marketplace.

Funding for the Wisconsin BBB Spark Awards for Entrepreneurship is provided by the generous support of donors to the BBB Wisconsin Foundation.

Apply & Nominate Online

The deadline for application is January 30, 2026 at 4:00pm.

Who is Eligible?

A business is eligible to apply if it has at least one business owner under the age of 35 before 1/30/2026, OR the business is less than three years in operation before 1/30/2026, under the operation of a business owner of any age.

Questions?

Begin Application

Business Overview & Owner Information

You'll have to provide us with basic information about your business and the owners. (Easy!)

Criteria 1: Character

Question 1: How are you personally striving to become an ethical business leader? Be sure to answer the following questions in your response:

(a) What are your core values as a business owner, and how do your core values influence the way you manage your business?

(b) As a leader, in what areas or characteristics do you seek feedback in order to grow?

Question 2: Since starting your business, what is one of the biggest lessons you have learned when it comes to business ethics? Be sure to answer the following questions in your response:

(a) How does this lesson now play a role in the way you operate your business?

(b) How has this lesson helped you to transform as a leader, and how has this impacted your business?

Criteria 2: Culture

Question 1: How have you gone above and beyond in your industry to make sure you are contributing to an ethical marketplace? Be sure to answer the following questions in your response:

(a) What types of challenges does your industry face?

(b) How have you addressed these challenges as a company to provide honest and supportive business interactions with your customers?

Question 2: What do you do as evidence that you value your employees, vendors, clients, or others who help your business? Be sure to answer the following questions in your response:

(a) How do you work to create a workplace environment that values ethical standards as your business grows and develops relationships with others?

(b) How do you articulate to your team and/or employees that you value them?

Criteria 3: Community

Question 1: In what ways have you contributed to your community with your time and effort? In what ways have you reinvested within your industry? Be sure to answer the following questions in your response:

(a) Whether it's working with after-school programs or donating to a charity, how have you given back and shown support to your community?

(b) In what ways do you intend to make your community better as your business matures?

Sign & Submit

Once you have completed the application, sign the application electronically and submit the application online. You're all finished!

Additional Information

You will have the option to upload supporting documents on our online application. So, this means you can work on these questions on a Word Document and submit them as uploads, or you can copy/paste your responses in our text box on the application.

We recommend that you provide responses to these questions that are as in-depth as possible! Our judges look for thorough, complete applications. Remember, our judges may not know you or your business. Be as descriptive and explanatory as possible so we can learn about you, your business, and why you deserve a BBB Spark Award!