2010 Rochester Regional Business Plan Contest & Celebration of Entrepreneurship LuncheonWhat is it?
The 2010 Rochester Regional Business Plan Contest encourages entrepreneurship and recognizes new, high-growth ventures in the Greater Rochester New York Region. This year’s event offers contestants a chance at winning over $50,000 in cash and business service prizes, including a 1st place cash prize of $25,000. All finalists will receive a customized prize package, as well as significant exposure to the business and investment communities. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more about becoming a sponsor
Celebration of Entrepreneurship Luncheon
The winners will be announced at the 2nd Annual Celebration of Entrepreneurship Luncheon on April, 30, 2010. This gala event attracted over 250 business leaders and entrepreneurs last year. Get a first look at some of the Rochester region's newest cmpany. Register for the event
Who can enter?
The contest is open to for-profit companies headquartered in the Greater Rochester region (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates Counties). Companies should have a scalable business concept with high growth potential. Full contest guidelines are available here. 2010 Business Plan Contest Guidelines
Companies must be early-stage defined as:
¨ Less than $250,000 of outside cash investment
¨ Less than $500,000 cumulative revenue excluding research grants.*
Prior cash prize winners of Rochester Regional Business Plan contests are not eligible to compete.
*Consulting companies transitioning to a new product or service may be exempted. Provide details on the application form.
Prizes
- First place winner receives $25,000 cash plus incubation and marketing services
- All other finalists receive cash and/or services prizes
How do I apply?
The contest opens for registration on Monday, February 1, 2010. Complete the registration and contest application online. The application fee is $150 per company and includes four Business Plan Workshops (limit 2 people per company). Paid registration and completed application form must be submitted by Friday, March 5th at 4:00 pm.
Business Plan Writing Workshops
All workshops are held at the Lennox Tech Enterprise Center; 150 Lucius Gordon Drive, West Henrietta, NY 14586 click here for map and directions. Refreshments will be served.
Non-contestants may attend the workshops for $100. Workshop registration opens on Monday, February 1, 2010.
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Schedule:
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5:30 pm – 6:00 pm
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Networking
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6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
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Workshop
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8:00 pm – 8:30 pm
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Q&A
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Workshop 1
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Wednesday, February 17
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Workshop 2
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Wednesday, February 24
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Communicating Your Plan & Funding Your Business
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Workshop 3
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Wednesday, March 3
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Writing The Plan
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Workshop 4
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Wednesday, March 10
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Presentation Practice & Feedback
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Key Dates
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Contest Opens
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Monday, February 1, 2010
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CONTEST REGISTRATION DEADLINE
(paid registration and completed application submitted)
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Friday, March 5, 2010 4:00 pm
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Executive Summaries Due
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Monday, March 15, 2010 12:00 noon
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Semi-Finalists Selected and notified
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Thursday, March 25, 2010
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Semi-Finalist Business Plans Due
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Monday, March 29, 2010 12:00 noon
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Semi-Finalist Presentations
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Monday, April 5 – Thursday, April 8 |
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Finalists selected and notified
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Friday, April 9, 2010 |
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Finals and Celebration of Entrepreneurship Luncheon
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Friday, April 30, 2010
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Judging Process
The selection process is designed to provide contestants with helpful feedback while identifying the region’s early stage companies with the greatest commercial promise.
The initial and semi-final selection rounds will be done by panels of community volunteers with expertise in early stage businesses. The initial round selections will be based on the Executive Summary. Eight semi-finalists will be selected to submit their Business Plan and make a verbal Investor Presentation. Five finalists will then be invited to present before a panel of judges consisting of investors and successful entrepreneurs. The winners will be announced at the Celebration of Entrepreneurship Luncheon on April 30, 2010.
The judges, selected from experienced business investors and entrepreneurs, will choose the contest winners based on both the written plans and the verbal presentations. The winning teams will be chosen based on the following criteria:
- Business Scalability and growth potential
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- Clear, concise, compelling executive summary and business plan
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- Compelling investor presentation
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Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Other Sponsors
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Media Sponsor |
Printing Sponsor |
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Bronze Sponsors
The Planning Committee will resolve issues concerning the contest including eligibility. The committee decision is final concerning any aspect of the Rochester Regional Business Plan Contest.
Planning Committee
Digital Rochester; Greater Rochester Enterprise; High Tech Rochester; Nazareth College, School of Management; Rochester Institute of Technology; University of Rochester Simon Graduate School of Business.
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