BBB Spark Awards

The Spark Award, presented by the BBB Integrity Foundation, is a distinguished recognition designed to honor emerging entrepreneurs who exemplify high ethical standards, strong organizational culture, and a deep commitment to community engagement. The award specifically targets business owners who are 35 years old or younger or businesses of any age that have been operational for less than three years. These businesses must demonstrate marketplace leadership by embodying values that prioritize character, culture, and community. The Spark Award seeks to uplift those entrepreneurs who are authentic in their mission and serve as role models for ethical business practices. Established by the BBB Integrity Foundation, located in Nashville, Tennessee, this award initiative is a key part of the foundation’s mission to promote trust and integrity in the marketplace. The Spark Award program is structured to evaluate applicants based on “The Three C’s of Trust”: Character, Culture, and Community. The 'Character' criterion assesses the moral strength and decision-making principles of the business leader, including attributes such as honesty, transparency, fairness, and self-control. 'Culture' examines how the business celebrates its team, aligns its operations with its mission, and fosters a collaborative and respectful environment. 'Community' evaluates how well the business gives back through time, talent, or financial contributions, and how it aligns its business goals with broader societal impact. Applicants are required to submit a short video—no longer than two minutes—highlighting how their business demonstrates the three core criteria. The video must come from the business team and should be uploaded via YouTube, Dropbox, Vimeo, or another accessible platform. Simplicity is encouraged, and submissions filmed on smartphones are acceptable. Examples of previous video submissions are available from BBB Central Ohio to guide applicants. As of now, applications for the 2026 Spark Award have not yet opened, but potential applicants are encouraged to prepare by reviewing the criteria and gathering supporting materials. When the application cycle opens, interested entrepreneurs will be able to apply through the BBB Integrity Foundation website. Key materials include the video submission and written responses addressing how the applicant’s business embodies character, fosters a strong internal culture, and engages meaningfully with its community. For additional information or questions about the application process, applicants can reach out via email at IntegrityFoundation@gobbb.org or by phone at (615) 250-1094. The foundation's physical office is located at 25 Century Blvd, Ste 101, Nashville, TN 37214. While the award does not include a monetary prize, it offers significant reputational value and recognition among ethical business leaders nationwide. Updates regarding the application opening will be posted on the foundation's official website.