In its sixth year in the United States and second year in the UK and globally, the award gives small businesses applying technology in innovative ways to better serve customers a chance at up to £25,000 in Dell solutions and a meeting with Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell.

In the UK Dell is partnering again with the British Chambers of Commerce, and global award partners include the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), whose mission is to advance entrepreneurship through global knowledge sharing and networking, and Endeavor, a global non-profit supporting emerging market entrepreneurs.

Entry submissions are due by Friday, April 3, 2009. Ten national finalists per country will be announced in mid June and the 13 national winners will be announced in September 2009.

India is the newest country to participate in the global award and recognise local small businesses for technology leadership. Additional countries participating include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and the United States.

Chosen from the 13 national winners, the global 2009 Small Business Excellence Award winner can receive:
 

• £25,000 in technology and services from Dell, global recognition, lifetime membership to ICSB, and engagement with Endeavor’s network of business leaders and high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging markets worldwide.

The UK winner will receive:
 

• £15,000 in Dell products and services; a day of best-practice sharing with Dell executives, including Michael Dell, and a ten year membership to an Accredited Chamber of Commerce

•  Nine UK finalists receive a Dell business-class notebook and a one year membership to an Accredited Chamber of Commerce.

 
Entrants must be businesses with 100 or fewer employees, and each must show how it represents the spirit of innovation in applying IT in its business practices to improve the customer experience.

For a description of the award criteria, rules, award levels, partners and judges and to complete an application, visit the entry site HERE

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