Overview

The Circles of Excellence is a composite method to identify the top firms in the VE program by measuring engagement and achievement of targeted initiatives throughout the year. The Circles of Excellence will recognize and highlight top firms in the VE program each year. This year’s Circles of Excellence will recognize Gold, Silver, and Bronze firms that meet the parameters as outlined in the list.

The results are cumulative. If your firm did not make the distinguished firms list, do not give up! There are several opportunities each period to move up the list. The CoE is designed to track progress over time and recognize overall engagement and achievement.

Firms will be able to access their Circles of Excellence report and monitor their status on the Hub throughout the year.

Find out more about each period’s parameters and deadlines by clicking into each period.

SY 2024-25 ANNUAL ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Period 1 (August 2024 - October 2024)

Cutoff for the period is October 31, 2024

Maximum Points for the Period = 5 

List of Round 1 distinguished firms to be published mid-November 2024

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EARN POINTS FOR PERIOD 1
  • Submit the Business Registration Form.
  • Submit the elevator pitch through the Competitions Manager
  • Submit the firm’s social media handle to the firm directory in Marketplace Tools
  • Submit and receive approval of loan application and angel investors through the Small Business Loan or Equity Investment applications
  • Submit a lease agreement to the Lease Agreement Form signed by a school administrator

Period 2 (November 2024 - December 2024)

Cutoff for the period is December 31, 2024

Maximum Points for the Period = 15

List of Round 2 distinguished firms to be published mid-January 2025

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EARN POINTS FOR PERIOD 2
  • Register for an online trade show or live trade show on Marketplace Tools
  • Submit the company branding kit through the Competitions Manager
  • Submit an Executive Summary through the Competitions Manager
  • Submit payroll to employees through the Firm Bank Account
  • Submit payment to VE Realty (Account #630907080) through the Firm Bank Account or notify RD of rent payment to a VE firm
  • Submit payment to VE Utilities (Account #630907072) through the Firm Bank Account or notify RD of utilities payment to a VE firm
  • Student purchase product/service from another firm through their Personal Student Bank Account
  • Submit screenshot of QuickBooks bank account setup to the QBO Account Setup Form
  • Submit the 941 Withholding Payroll Tax Form
  • Submit 941 Remittance payment to VE Payroll Tax (Account #630907102) through the Firm Bank Account
  • Submit to the Risk Management Plan Submission Form
  • Submit to the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Form
  • Purchase merchandise order on the Wholesale Marketplace and submit payment to VE Wholesale Marketplace (Account #630907145) through the Firm Bank Account
  • Submit insurance payment to VE Business Insurance (Account #630907153) or VE Workers Compensation (Account #630907153) through the Firm Bank Account or notify RD of insurance payment to a VE firm
  • Submit a screenshot your #veinternational post on social media with the signature of the facilitator to the VE International Evidence Form

Period 3 (January 2025 - February 2025)

Cutoff for the period is February 28, 2025

Maximum Points for the Period = 16

List of Round 3 distinguished firms to be published mid-March 2025

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EARN POINTS FOR PERIOD 3
  • Participated in at least one trade show (Regional or National in Jan/Feb)
  • Submitted the Board of Directors Quarterly Report for Q3 (from Nov to Jan)
  • Participated in a local or regional qualifying round of the Business Plan Competition
  • Participated in a local or regional round of the FIN, HR, or MRK competitions
  • Participated in the National E-Commerce Website Competition
  • Participated in the National Video Commercial Competition
  • Processed at least one Payroll (Jan/Feb)
  • Processed at least one Rent payment (Jan/Feb)
  • Processed at least one Utilities payment (Jan/Feb)
  • Proof of sales made by the firm to individuals or other VE businesses
  • Evidence of student transactions (purchases made from student accounts in Jan/Feb with 80% of the students making at least one transaction)
  • Submitted the 941 Withholding Payroll Tax Form (Jan/Feb)
  • Processed the 941 Remittance payment (Jan/Feb)
  • Submitted the Sales Tax Form (Jan/Feb)
  • Submitted the Sales Tax Payment (Jan/Feb)
  • Evidence of firm website creation on Marketplace Tools

Period 4 (March 2025 - April 2025)

Cutoff for the period is April 30, 2025

Maximum Points for the Period = 19

List of Excellence firms (Gold, Silver, and Bronze circles) to be published mid-May 2025

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EARN POINTS FOR PERIOD 4
  • Participated in at least one trade show (Regional or National in Mar/Apr)
  • Submitted a written business plan*
  • Qualified for the National Business Plan Competition (NBPC)
  • Received Top 20 Recognition for the NBPC
  • Qualified for the National Marketing Competition
  • Qualified for the National Human Resources Competition
  • Qualified for the National Finance Competition
  • Processed at least one Payroll (Mar/Apr)
  • Processed at least one Rent payment (Mar/Apr)
  • Processed at least one Utilities payment (Mar/Apr)
  • Proof of sales made by the firm to individuals or other VE businesses
  • Evidence of student transactions (purchases made in Mar/Apr with 80% of the students making at least one transaction)
    Submitted the 941 Withholding Payroll Tax Form (Mar/Apr)
  • Processed the 941 Remittance payment (Mar/Apr)
  • Submitted the Sales Tax Form (Mar/Apr)
  • Submitted the Sales Tax Payment (Mar/Apr)
  • Used TurboTax to file 1040 Income Tax Form
  • Completed at least one international transaction (incoming only)

Period 5 (May 2025)

Cutoff for the period is May 31, 2025

Maximum Points for the Period = 6

Final list of Excellence firms (Gold, Silver, and Bronze circles) to be published mid-June 2025

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EARN POINTS FOR PERIOD 5
  • Submitted a completed Annual Report*
  • Submitted the 1120 Corporate Tax Form
  • Participated in the National Company Newsletter Competition
  • Submitted End of Year Survey
  • Created an Additional Student Bank Account (at least 50% of the class)

Bonus Points (August 2024 - May 2025)

Points may be submitted from August 2024 – May 2025 but may not be reflected until May 2025. Cutoff for bonus points is May 31, 2025.

Maximum Bonus Points = 3

Final list of Excellence firms (Gold, Silver, and Bronze circles) to be published mid-June 2025

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW TO EARN BONUS POINTS
  • Evidence of a mentor in the classroom (live or video)
  • Hosted an event (fundraising, mini trade show, showcase, etc.)
  • Completed end-of-year feedback surveys