Dell invites entries for small biz award

NEW DELHI, INDIA: PC maker Dell today announced the launch of its Small Business Excellence Awards in India and called for entries for the same.

In its sixth year in the United States and second year globally, the award gives small businesses applying technology in innovative ways to better serve customers, a chance to win up to US$50,000 in Dell solutions and a meeting with Dell chairman and CEO, Michael Dell, said a press release.

Dell and The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), America’s small-business advocacy association, founded the Dell Small Business Excellence Award in 2004.

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 organization supporting emerging market entrepreneurs.

The program has now been extended to 13 countries, including India, the newest country to participate in the global program, the release added. Endeavor India will also partner with Dell for the inaugural awards in India.

“India has a terrific entrepreneurial spirit that we at Dell understand - the successful big and small Indian entrepreneurs have made India the success story it is today,” said Ravi Bharadwaj, head of SMB SBU, Dell India, while announcing the launch of the awards in India. “We now look to recognize them for innovation and technology best practices with the Dell Small Business Excellence Awards.”

The first round of submissions is due by May 1, 2009, Dell said. Ten national finalists will be announced in mid-June and the 13 national winners will be announced in September 2009.

Dell launched its first SMB brand campaign in India in October 2008 called ‘Take your own path’. The campaign profiles a list of business achievers from different walks of life.