Business Competition Announced

FAYETTEVILLE -- Building on the success of the Small Business Administration's inaugural 2015 InnovateHER Business Challenge, Startup Junkie Consulting, of Fayetteville, is pleased to announced it will once again host another challenge scheduled for Nov. 3, where the winner could compete for the top three cash prizes totaling $70,000.

The InnovateHER Challenge is a national prize competition aimed at unearthing products and services that impact and empower the lives of women and families through local business competitions that culminate in a live pitch Final Round.

All companies or individuals who have a product or service that is innovating for women are encouraged to apply. The winner will be selected based on whether or not their business (1) has a measurable impact on the lives of women and families, (2) has the potential for commercialization, and (3) fills a need in the marketplace.

The process will be as follows:

1) By Oct. 30, companies should submit their business plan and completed application packet (attached) to: [email protected] via email.

2) By Oct. 31, the top 3-5 companies will be selected and notified.

3) On Nov. 3, these top applicants will be invited to a private pitch contest where it will just be them and the panel of judges. Format is a 10-minute presentation and 10 minutes for question and answer time.

4) The Ozarks regional InnovateHER winner will be announced on Nov. 13 at the end of 2.7.0. Demo Day. All are invited to this luncheon at the Old Post Office on the Fayetteville square from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

5) We will send off the winning application packet to the SBA. The top 10 from across the country will be invited to compete in Washington D.C. on March 17.

*There is no prize money for the regional contest, but a total of $70,000 will be awarded at the final round in D.C. The contest requires a full business plan to apply, and guidance on writing business plans can be found at sba.gov/writing-business-plan.

Questions and completed applications should be sent to [email protected].

Business on 10/07/2015