CRITERIA
•	Member of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
•	Privately or publicly held corporation, proprietorship or partnership (not a subsidiary or division).
•	Headquartered in Wake, Orange, or Durham counties.
•	At least three full years of operation, beginning January 1, 2007.
•	Annual sales revenue increase over the past three years – 2007, 2008, 2009.
•	Maintained and/or increased profitability during challenging economic conditions.
•	Gross annual revenues of more than $500,000 but less than $25 million in 2009.
•	Founder is president/CEO and actively participates in the daily operations of the company.
•	Must not have won this award three previous times (limit three awards per company).

DEADLINE
•	Application deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2010.

Information is kept strictly confidential.

Company Name

Number of Employees (Full-time equivalent)

Address

City

State

Zip

Phone

Fax

Chief Decision Maker

How did you hear about the award?

1. What is the major business of the company?
Select One Construction Manufacturing Wholesale Trade Retail Communication Business Services Personal Services Technology Finance/ Real Estate/ Insurance Other
If other:


2. Which of the following best describes the formation of your company?
Select One Start-up entity Company formed by merger or acquisition Spin off from another company (specify) Combination (specify) Other (specify)
Specify:


3. In what year was your company founded?


4. The full-time employment level of your work force (two part-time = one full-time)
2007: 2008: 2009:

5. What was the annual revenue of your company?
2007: 2008: 2009:

6. Company profitability after taxes was:
2007: Select One 11% or more 6% - 10% 4% - 5% 2% - 3% 1% Break even Loss 2008: Select One 11% or more 6% - 10% 4% - 5% 2% - 3% 1% Break even Loss 2009: Select One 11% or more 6% - 10% 4% - 5% 2% - 3% 1% Break even Loss

7. State your company’s current ratio. Derive this by dividing current assets by current liabilities.
Select One 2.5 times or more 2.0 - 2.49 times 1.5 - 1.99 times 1.0 - 1.49 times 1 time or less

8. State your company’s net worth ratio. Derive this by dividing net worth by total assets.
Select One 50 % or more 40% - 49% 25% - 39% 10% - 24% 10% or less

9. Please list your company's outside CPA or bank advisor information.
Name

Title

Company Name

Phone

Outside CPA or bank advisor will be contacted to verify financial information is accurate.

10. What adjustments have you done in your business plan to affect profit during the past year?


11. Internal marketing/communication contact:
Name

Phone

E-mail


12. Brief description of business (25 words or less)


13. Brief company history and how it got started (25 words or less)


14. Describe what makes your company unique or different. How do you distinguish yourself from other businesses? Not a commercial

I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the information furnished constitutes the true and correct statement of my company’s condition. President/Owner Name If submitted by someone other than the president/owner, please complete the information below: Date Name Title Company Phone Fax E-mail

Gold Sponsors
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
Capital Area Work force Development Board
Creative Visions
First Citizens Bank
Greene Resources, Inc.
Smith Seal of North Carolina

Silver Sponsors
Carolina Conceptions
CenterLine Digital
The News & Observer Publishing Co.
Progress Energy
Ward and Smith, P.A.

Bronze Sponsors
ambius, formerly Initial Tropical Plants, Inc.
Capitol Broadcasting Co.
Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina RailHawks
John Costigan Companies