The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition, open to everyone, promotes entrepreneurship and development of start-up and early stage companies. Winners and finalists in 2011 shared prizes valued at more than $250,000.

The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition is the leading community-supported business plan competition in the Northeast, supported by private businesses, colleges and universities, public entities, and nonprofit organizations.

Founded in 2000 by Garrett Hunter, then president of the Business Development Company of Rhode Island, the Competition aims to further develop the entrepreneurial spirit in Rhode Island and help create growth companies that will increase local employment.

The Competition encourages plans for new businesses, as well as from early stage companies. An early stage, or seed stage, company typically is at the inventor stage where there is an idea, a concept, or even a product, but little or no income has been generated yet. See complete rules.

The 2012 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition is supported by its sponsors and organized by co-chairs Larry Davidson, principal with Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd., and David Mitchell, Dean, College of Business, Johnson & Wales University.

See answers to Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

 

How to Apply to the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition

Applications to the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition must be submitted online and may be submitted at any time, but no later than by 5 p.m. Eastern time on April 2, 2012.

Up to 18 semi-finalists will be chosen as semi-finalists and notified on April 9, 2012, and asked to:

• Submit 14 hard copies of their plans by 12 noon Eastern time on April 17, 2012.
• Make a 4-5 minute presentation to the judges on the morning of April 25, 2012.

The judges will select finalists and invite them to make a 25-minute presentation on April 30, 2012.

Winners will be announced on May 3, 2012, at RIBX at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Before you submit an application, be sure to read and understand the competition rules.

To apply, do the following:

1. Access the Application Form.  This is a secure website designed to protect information you post. (NOTE: It may take a minute to load.)
2. Complete each item, as indicated.
3. You may complete the application in one session or do part of it at a time, saving your work as you go along.
4. Once your application is completed, submit it by clicking the Submit button at the bottom.
5. Complete, sign, and mail the Agreement and Statement of Certification.

Writing your business plan is an ongoing process and should not be left to the end. Applicants may want to take advantage of Events to help them develop their business plans.

Before completing your application, it is helpful to review these guidelines. Following these guidelines will result in a stronger, more compelling application.

TIP: Working on your business plan well before you complete the online application will help you complete the application relatively easily.

更多官方信息及申请方式，请点击这里。