Are you a home-based business opportunity, franchise or other small or medium-sized business owner who could use a little free publicity as well as the credibility that comes along with being formally recognized as a national award winner? Well, here’s your chance.

StartupNation, one of the Nation’s leading online resources founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, has announced it is accepting entries for this year’s fifth annual StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition. Entries will be accepted now until the end of November, and winners will be announced in January 2013.

Designed to honor and acknowledge the “outstanding unsung heroes of our economy”―home-based entrepreneurs of any shape or size―the contest ranks the best performers nationwide across ten categories, including most innovative, boomers back in business (for the 50+ set) and greenest. Contestants will be judged on how well their business fits the category they entered, the case they make for winning and the number of popular votes received on StartupNation.com this fall.

Last year’s winners enjoyed considerable FREE publicity that both increased their brand awareness among the consuming public and drove traffic to their websites―priceless benefits by any small business owner’s standards. Additionally, by their simply being involved, contestants were able to engage their customers in new and creative ways, soliciting support and asking for their vote. Lastly, winners each year are able to display the digital winner’s emblem on their website, in emails and in their marketing materials, adding immense credibility to their reputation in the marketplace.

To enter your home-based business in this year’s StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition, go to HERE and complete the simple registration process now!