A seven county partnership, formally known as the I-69 Thumb Region announced today the launch of the Catapult Your Business Competition.
Each of the seven participating counties (Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac, Shiawassee, St. Clair and Tuscola) will hold a county level competition in their community via a public pitch event awarding $2,000 to the first place winner and $1,000 to the second place winner. County-level first place winners will move forward to compete for additional funds in the regional finale on September 21, 2017.
The regional competition will award (via public pitch) $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third place. Competition prizes have been made possible by grant funding through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and additional sponsors.
Dan Casey, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance said the EDA is “looking forward to holding the Catapult competition this year in The Underground Incubator. This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their product or service in the community where they live and do business, and to improve their presentation skills.”
The competition is utilizing an online process for applications and submittal of company information. Interested companies or individuals are required to create a profile and answer a few questions about their business or business idea on the Startup Compete website: www. i69catapultbusinescomp2017.startupcompete.co/.
Once this process is completed, competitors have until July 10 to upload their maximum 3-page executive summary and upload pitch presentations of not more than 10 slides. Competition judges will be using Startup Compete to review submissions and narrow the submissions down to no more than eight for the pitch event(s) to be held in August & September.
The Small Business Development Center and the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County will be providing support to applicants that need technical assistance with registration, help writing the required executive summary or presentation coaching.
The dates of the countywide competitions vary throughout August and early September, with the regional competition following in September 21, 2017. The local competition for St. Clair County will be held at the Underground Business Incubator and Service Center. For more information about how to apply, please visit the Underground website at: www.startunderground.com or contact the EDA at 810-982-9511.
Sponsored by: Semco Energy
