Here a a few reasons:

• Cash prizes

  We won’t know the total amount that will be available to invest in the winning business concepts until mid to late summer.  We are raising funds as we speak! It is our intention to create a fund that will allow the judges to allocate a meaningful investment in the total cost of each project selected. By “meaningful” we mean an amount that will 1) help jump start the project; 2) encourage others to invest money or other kinds of the support in the enterprise by making loans, equity contributions, or in-kind support. The amount will not, and should not be expected to fund the entire project.

• Learn how to write an effective business plan

• Learn how to attract investors

• Network with successful entrepreneurs