SEDALIA, 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 June 30, 2011. Submissions can be made online at http://made2011.istart.org or submitted by mail or email to Cheryl Zimny at the address below.
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. All first round participants are provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better by the judges. Those who advance to the finals will develop business plans and provide brief business pitches to judges in a simulated investor scenario. Finalists will present their finished business plans, products, and services 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. All participant business information is regarded as confidential and proprietary and will not be shared with outside parties.
Registration is open to any potential or current business owner in operation three years or less. The two categories of participation are Youth (18 and under) and Open. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete. Mail and Electronic submissions for the preliminary level are due by 5 p.m. June 30, 2011. Judging of the preliminary round will occur the first week of July and participants will be notified of the results by July 9, 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. This project/program is funded in whole/or part with federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. The funds received from the Family Support Division are all federally funded.
Copyright © 2011 CitizenWire™ and Neotrope®. CitizenWire is a publication of the Neotrope News Network.