Here are the 18 finalists of Amazon's first-ever small business awards, including best owners under 30

Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

• More than 1,300 sellers nominated themselves for consideration to be one of Amazon's Small Businesses of the Year.
• Amazon announced a total of 18 finalists across 3 categories: Small Business of the Year, Women-Owned Small Business, and Small Business Owner Under 30.
• Voting is taking place until November 8 on the Small Business Spotlight web page.
• Click here for more BI Prime stories.

In September, Amazon announced its first ever award to highlight its small business third-party sellers, who make more than 58% of the sales on the platform. Since then, more than 1,300 sellers nominated themselves for consideration to be one of Amazon's three Small Businesses of the Year.

"We would have liked them all to have been finalists, but that would have been a little bit intimidating for our customers," said Nick Denissen, Amazon's VP for Small Businesses, in an interview with Business Insider.

In addition to sales performance and reputation metrics, Amazon reviewed the nominees against three criteria: brand narrative, product innovation, and customer centric ity.

"Each one of the finalists has their version of that combination, and that's also what our customers love about these smaller businesses," Denissen said. "What inspires this company to do what they do?"

• Read more: The small retailer's ultimate guide to partnering with Amazon so you can make a boatload of money with fewer risks, from small-business owners and Amazon itself

Amazon customers can now choose from a total of 18 finalists in the categories of Small Business of the Year, Women-Owned Small Business, and Small Business Owner Under 30. Voting is taking place until November 8 on the Small Business Spotlight web page, and the winners will be announced later this year.

The winning sellers will receive a package of perks, including dedicated account management, advertising and promotional support, and a trip to Amazon HQ in Seattle.

The company is also hosting a day of events in Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, DC, to connect small businesses with customers in person and via Amazon Live. And "Treasure Trucks" will be out and about in 20 cities around the country, offering a special deal from one of its Storefronts partners.

Here are the 18 finalists: