MARSHALL, Mo. (CitizenWire) — The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship announced today that the 2011 MADE In Missouri State Entrepreneurship Competition, an event that will highlight new and aspiring businesses through a competitive and educational business development process, will accept preliminary submissions until April 29, 2011. Preliminary submissions are made online at http://made2011.istart.org .
The Competition provides new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to put their business ideas up against others throughout the state and grow their ventures. The competition is designed to support Missouri communities by cultivating reliable businesses, creating jobs, and stimulating the state’s economic future.
Participants start by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas, and are provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. Those who advance to the intermediate level will develop business plans and provide brief business pitches to judges in a simulated investor scenario. Finalists at level three will present their finished business plans, products, and services in one last round at the Missouri State Fair on August 18, 2011 in Sedalia, Missouri.
Cash grants will be awarded as startup/operating capital to winners of the final round during the State Fair. Judging at all levels will take place behind closed doors, and all information is regarded as confidential and proprietary and will not be shared with outside parties.
Registration is open to any potential business owner or current business owner in operation three years or less. There are Youth and Open categories for participation, and people considering going into business for the first time are welcomed. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete. Electronic submissions for the preliminary level are due by 5:00 p.m. April 29, 2011. Judging of the first round will occur the first week of May and participants will be notified of the results by May 13, 2011.
For more information go online to http://www.mvcaa.net/index.cfm?Page=MADE or contact
Cheryl Zimny
Community Development Manager
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency
1415 S. Odell
Marshall, MO 65340
Phone: 660-886-7476; Fax: 660-886-5868
zimnyc@mvcaa.net .
The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is a project facilitated by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Missouri, a not-for-profit organization.
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