TURNER CENTERfor ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Turner Center for Entrepreneurship Small Business Awards

Each year, the Robert and Carolyn Turner Center for Entrepreneurship recognizes and celebrates the success of entrepreneurs, start-ups, rural businesses, innovators, and the people that support them. An annual event is held on the Bradley University campus (Hayden-Clark Alumni Center, 816 N Tobias Ln).

The event showcases the success of our clients and the strong relationships with our community partners. Our winners are dedicated to their business and are making a positive impact in the community.

Awards categories include:

  • Startup of the Year
  • Exporter of the Year
  • Innovation of the Year
  • New Exporter of the Year
  • Rural Business of the Year
  • Small Business of the Year
  • Community Partner of the Year
  • Startup of the Year
  • Government Contractor of the Year
  • Small Business Advocate of the Year
  • Women in Business Leadership Award

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2024

New Exporter of the Year

MiGuard

Small Business Advocate of the Year

Better Business Bureau

Small Business of the Year

BRelentless

Women in Business Leadership

Kathryn Spitznagle

Rural Business of the Year

Rosie Acres Bakery

Government Contractor of the Year

R/A Hoerr Inc.

Startup of the Year

Compass Star Distribution

Innovation of the Year

ColorForge

Exporter of the Year

Rheo Engineering

Community Partner of the Year

Eureka College

New Exporter of the Year

NFW

Small Business Advocate of the Year

Kathleen Kelly

Small Business of the Year

Facet Technologies

Women in Business Leadership

Christell Frausto

Rural Business of the Year

Evergreen Farm Brewing

Government Contractor of the Year

Davis & Davis

Startup of the Year

GoodJava

Innovation of the Year

Midwest Bioprocessing Center

Exporter of the Year

Micro Weld

Community Partner of the Year

Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

New Exporter of the Year

Sorce Freshwater Co

Small Business Advocate of the Year

Enabling Nonprofits Development Center, Brenda Grove

Small Business of the Year

iSTEAM Studio

Women in Business Leadership

Francie Hinrichsen

Rural Business of the Year

Savage Building Systems

Government Contractor of the Year

Alegna Inc.

Startup of the Year

Veloxity Labs LLC

Innovation of the Year

Kuzma Self-Playing Guitars

Exporter of the Year

Ag World international Corp

Community Partner of the Year

Morton Chamber of Commerce

New Exporter of the Year

Green Valley Manufacturing

Small Business Advocate of the Year

Washington Chamber of Commerce

Small Business of the Year

Bear’s Bites

COVID Courageous of the Year

Black Band Distillery

Rural Business of the Year

Spang Gang Designs

Government Contractor of the Year

CW Financial & Management Group

Startup of the Year

Skid Steer Nation

Innovation of the Year

We Hear You

Exporter of the Year

ARi Global Solutions

Community Partner of the Year

SCORE Peoria

New Exporter of the Year

Pop-A-Shot

Small Business Advocate of the Year

Jack Hamann – Peoria Innovation Alliance

Small Business of the Year

VirtuSense

Women in Business Leadership Award

Doris Symonds

COVID Courageous

PAL Health/Reditus Laboratories

Government Contractor of the Year

EngineeringPeople

Startup of the Year

The Box Truck Network

Innovation of the Year

Natural Fiber Welding

Exporter of the Year

4B Components

Community Partner of the Year

IMEC

New Exporter of the Year

Jtec Industries Inc., East Peoria

Small Business Advocate of the Year

Denise Moore, Minority Business Development Center

Small Business of the Year

Bump Boxes, Peoria

Rural Community Partner of the Year

Morton Community Bank

Rural Business of the Year

The Barn III, Goodfield

Government Contractor of the Year

Fugate Inc., Morton

Startup of the Year

Heartland Fabrication, Congerville

Innovation of the Year

Lux Blox, Galesburg

Exporter of the Year

Simformotion LLC, East Peoria

Community Partner of the Year

Greater Peoria Economic Development Council