Smart & Biggar aims to honour small business owners who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps

Smart & Biggar LLP is reprising its role supporting the 2020 Bootstrap Awards, which celebrate the success of self-capitalized businesses.

Eligible companies must be within the capital region (from Eastern Ontario to Western Quebec), with less than seven years of operations and with a maximum outside capital funding of $500,000, excluding debt. The awards cover eight different categories:

1. Green Award: for balancing environmental and economic sustainability
2. Innovation Award: for applying unique technological solutions to problems
3. SAAS Award: for effectively using Software as a Service to promote growth
4. Marketing Award: for using innovative marketing to attract media and clients
5. Bootstrap Capital Award: for flourishing despite limited help from investors
6. Disruptor Award: for “trying to turn a business or paradigm on its head”
7. Community Impact Award: for devoting efforts to advancing social good
8. Founder of the Year: for acting as a role-model and leader to peers

Applications are due Jan. 15.