$30,000 in prize money for small businesses, startups up for grabs

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan—Up to $30,000 is up for grabs for small businesses looking to expand or for start ups. 

The goal of the second annual Catapult Business Plan competition competition is to help businesses grow by providing funding to hire staff, expand production, or other needed investment in key industries: 

• Logistics
• Technology
• Professional services
• Advanced manufacturing
• Craft agriculture and beverages 

There will be financial prizes given both locally and regionally through the competition that includes the entire I-69 Thumb Region.

Each of seven counties included in the competition—Genesee, Lapeer, Huron, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Sanilac, and St.Clair—will award a $2,000 first-place award and $1,000 second-place award. Local winners will then move on to the regional competition with a chance to add to their winnings. The regional prizes are $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $1,000 for third place. 
  
To participate, business owners should fill out an online profile and questionnaire regarding their existing business or startup idea as well as supply an executive summary (3 page maximum) and a pitch presentation (limited to 10 slides) by July 10. 
 
Interested participants may do so at: https://i69catapultbusinescomp2017.startupcompete.co. 

Judges will review the online applications and material to select businesses to present their pitches during events in August and September. 
 
For those in the Genesee County area who are interested in applying, staff members at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and Small Business Development Center will be available for technical assistance with registration, presentation coaching, and to help with writing the executive summary. 

For more information on the application process, visit: http://i-69thumbregion.org/ or contact Tracy Joseph at the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce at (810) 600-1406 or [email protected].