2013 Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition Rules

Mission

The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition is an initiative by Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development (the Chamber) and The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to foster new business development in Gwinnett County. The winning business will receive a prize package that includes: $2500 cash, a trip to Sage Summit’s customer conference in Maryland,  a one-year Chamber membership, a one-year participation in the Chamber’s Gwinnett Business Institute program ($180 value), consultation with an attorney from Arnall Golden Gregory ($2500 value).  All Contestants (and each team member) must agree in writing to the rules, regulations, terms and conditions of The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition in order to participate, and the Established Business category winner (and each team member) will be required to agree in writing to the terms and conditions of a Winner’s Agreement before being awarded the Winner’s prize package.

 

Nature of Ventures

The contest features two categories: Established Business and Pre-Venture.

Established Business Category

The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition, Established Business category, is open to individuals (13 years of age or older) who currently own and manage a small business in Gwinnett County (SBA size standards: www.sba.gov/content/table-small-business-size-standards).  The business must be less than 36 months old and must have a current business license. As part of the entry process, contestants must submit proof of the age of the business (Sole proprietors: a bank statement documenting the opening of a business bank account;  Corporations:  articles of incorporation;  partnerships: partnership agreement.) Generally excluded are the following: buy-outs, expansions of existing companies, real estate syndications, tax shelters, franchises, licensing agreements or other arrangements for distribution in a different geographical area, relocations, and multilevel marketing ventures; the Competition’s Selection Committee may exclude other ventures in its sole discretion. In support of the mission of the Amazing Entrepreneur Competition, Contestants Business Plans must provide evidence of the potential to create and stabilize employment in Gwinnett County and must also show potential for growth in such areas as profits, and revenue.  The Winner must also agree that any cash prize received from the Contest must be treated as revenue for the business and not for personal use.

Pre-Venture Category

The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition, Pre-Venture category, is open to contestants who have an idea for a business but are not yet open for business. This category has the same entry requirements as the Established Business category, except for the business license and proof of business age requirements.

 

Rules of Participation

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Each Contestant (and each team’s members) must execute an agreement acknowledging and agreeing to the rules (the Official Entry Application), regulations, terms and conditions of the Competition, including without limitation, that:  All decisions regarding the Business Plan Competition, including the selection of the Competition winner, are in the sole discretion and judgment of the Competition Selection Committee whose decisions in each case are final and unappealable; each Contestant shall release and hold harmless the Business Plan Competition, its Sponsors, Selection Committee, Participants, and all others associated with or assisting with the Business Plan Competition from any and all matters regarding the Business Plan Competition.

Each Contestant is required to complete and sign the Georgia SBDC Network Client Intake Form 641 and Client Disclaimer.

Employees and Board members and of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, The University of Georgia, Contest sponsors and their family or members of the same household are not eligible to compete in The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition.

Entries must be of adequate substance and format and must be received by 5PM on MARCH 1, 2013  MARCH 8, 2013 – deadline extended! 

Additionally, up to five finalists in the Established Business category will be required to present their business plans to a selection committee appointed by SBDC and the Chamber.  Finalists will be contacted to arrange time and place for presentations.

The odds of winning will depend on the number eligible entries received that adequately meet the stated criteria for a valid submission.

Before the winner of The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition receives any prizes and any related awards, assistance or incentives, the winner (including each team member) must agree to the terms and conditions for each such prize and award as specified by The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition and organizations providing prizes and awards in the Winner’s Agreement.

All Business Plans must be the original work of the entering individual or team. Absolutely no software-generated business plans will be accepted.

The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition reserves the right to not release the names of or other information concerning the Selection Committee or other Competition judges or officials. Lobbying of any Selection Committee member or other Competition judge or official is strictly prohibited.

Contestants will be notified as to whether they are selected as a finalist.

Prizes are not transferable. Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes.

For a list of winners, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:  Mark Farmer, Gwinnett Chamber, 6500 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, Ga, 30097.

Right to decline to name a winner: If there are no acceptable Business Plans, The Amazing Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition in its sole discretion reserves the right to declare no winner and to not award the prize package to any Contestant. Applicants will be judged based on the quality of the business plan summary and the business’s market viability.