If you have a dream or a novel business idea, but lack the resources necessary to realize your vision, then read on. Your springboard to success - plus $100,000 in cash and $150,000 in prizes - could be awaiting you in Fresno, California.
The city is scouring the country for ambitious, passionate, and tenacious men and women worthy of competing in its first national business plan competition: Start It Up - Fresno's $250K Entrepreneur Challenge.
Fresno, known as the financial, industrial, trade and commercial capital of California's San Joaquin Valley, provides a perfect venue for the budding business entrepreneur. And with its exciting downtown revitalization underway, opportunities for success only continue to grow.
Round 1 (June 1 - July 31)
All entrants must complete the online Start It Up registration and submit it, along with an executive summary by 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, 2008. A $100 non-refundable processing fee will be required at the time of submission. Individuals or teams that submit incomplete packages will automatically be disqualified. No applications or executive summaries will be accepted after July 31.
These steps should be followed to complete the requirements for Round 1.
* Complete the online registration at www.lylescenter.com.
* Submit an executive summary, not to exceed 5 pages in length.
* Margins must not be smaller than 3/4 of an inch on any side.
* Document text must be single-spaced.
* Save the executive summary as a pdf document and attach it to the online application.
Up to 20 individuals or teams will be invited to advance to Round 2. These semifinalists will be notified via phone or e-mail no later than August 5. All other entrants will be notified in writing by August 15.
Round 2 (August 11 - 30)
The top 20 individuals and/or teams selected for Round 2 will be invited to participate in a videoconference call in which they will be asked, by a small panel of judges, to answer basic questions about their business plan. This information will be used to select the top 10 finalists. This lucky 10 will be invited to Fresno, California, to compete - in front of an audience - for the $250,000 grand prize and the distinction of being named the winner of Fresno's first Start It Up Entrepreneur Challenge. The 10 selected finalists will be notified via phone by September 1. Feedback will be provided to the remaining 10 no later than September 15.
The 10 finalists will be required to submit a detailed business plan according to specific guidelines set forth in the competition "Rules and Regulations." These guidelines clearly outline the content to be included in the business plan and the preferred format. The business plan must be postmarked by September 12 and mailed to:
Start It Up — Fresno's $250K Entrepreneur Challenge
The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
5010 N Woodrow Ave, MS W/C 142
Fresno, CA 93740
No late submissions will be accepted. Individuals or teams that fail to submit a complete business plan on or before the specified date will automatically be disqualified.
Round 3 (October 2 - 4)
Day 1
Now the real competition begins! Each of the 10 finalists will be asked to present their business plan before a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges. Judges will include business executives, economic development and civic leaders, venture capitalists, elected officials, media and more. Presentations will be held on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at Fresno's William Saroyan Theatre. They should last no more than 20 minutes, with an additional 10 minutes allocated for Q&A.
A special cocktail reception will be held Thursday evening to announce the top five finalists chosen to compete for the $250K grand prize.
Day 2
The top five finalists will take the stage one last time to present the merits of their business plan in hopes of being named Fresno's first Start It Up winner. Thirty minutes will be allotted for presentations plus 15 minutes for Q&A from the judges.
Day 3
A special ceremony will be held during halftime at the October 4, 2008 Fresno State Bulldog Football home game to publicly recognize the "Final Five" Start It Up contestants and to announce - for the first time - the $250K grand prize winner.
Click image to enlarge
Prizes (if any): $250,000
Deadline: 07/31/08
Contact: Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - Christine Valadez 5010 N Woodrow Ave, MS W/C 142 93740 Fresno CA USA
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