NEW YORK, NY – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that Mr. Raj Mehta, President/CEO of Raj Technologies of Plainview, New York was named New York District and New York State Small Business Person of the Year. The awards were announced in advance of upcoming National Small Business Week slated to take place May 3 to 9, 2020.
“The SBA New York District is delighted to recognize Raj Mehta of Raj Technologies as our Small Business Person of the Year. As the founder of a certified 8(a) firm which began at his kitchen table, Raj’s story and record of success show how entrepreneurs can utilize SBA’s resources to expand revenue opportunities by selling to the U.S. government – the world’s largest consumer,” said SBA New York District Director Beth Goldberg who leads the nation’s largest SBA field office serving the 1.6 million small businesses in the metropolitan New York area.
The SBA New York District Office presents a host of awards to nominated entrepreneurs doing business throughout its 14-county coverage area in the lead up to National Small Business Week. The Small Business Person of the Year Award recognizes small business owners who demonstrate staying power and substantiated history as an established business with at least three years of business operation. Winners must also show growth in net worth and business expansion, increase in jobs and sales, innovativeness of products or services, response to adversity, and contributes to community-oriented projects.
In addition to being named SBA New York District Small Business Person of the Year, Mehta was also announced by SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza as SBA New York State Small Business Person of the Year. Along with winners from throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and Guam, Mehta has been invited to join Administrator Carranza at a special ceremony in Washington that kicks off National Small Business Week.
“I am honored to be selected by the SBA for this recognition. It takes a combination of courage, hard work, determination and smart decision to become successful in business in addition to support from key people who help with their insight. The U.S. Small Business Administration has always been at my side, helping me grow and expand; resource partners have guided me with their assistance so that I could survive, endure and success for over thirty-three years. I’m so thankful to see hard work, honesty and high integrity recognized,” said Raj Mehta, President and CEO of Raj Technologies in Plainview, New York.
Raj Technologies evolved from a start-up at Raj Mehta’s kitchen table to a successful growing Internet Technology and Solutions small business, bring full system integrations to private and public clients – from Fortune 500 companies to government at the local, state and federal levels.
Mehta, who immigrated from India with six dollars in his pocket and became a naturalized citizen, is an example of how an immigrant with humble beginnings reached entrepreneurial success and achieved the American Dream. Mehta is also the founder of a technology small business incubator, the Long Island Digital Ballpark, co-located in his company’s building.
"Small businesses are the engine of our economy and backbone of our communities, creating two out of every three net new jobs. Small businesses like Raj Technologies fuel our overall economic strength, and the SBA is proud to help empower their success. It is an honor to shine a spotlight on their inspirational stories,” said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Steve Bulger who oversees the agency’s operations throughout New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Each year since 1963, the President has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. SBA recognizes outstanding small business owners for their personal successes and contributions to our nation.
For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.