By Jay Maharjan on November 7, 2007
Lately, I have come across many business plan competitions online. A business plan contest is a great starting point for budding, aspiring entrepreneurs and can very well turn out to be a good source to get start-up capital. Here is a list of few contests that I have found. My past posts on Business Plan basics address the outline that will help you create a structure for your plan. While writing a plan, try to be creative and have fun doing it. Good luck!
ATG e-Commerce Business Plan Competition
Per ATG’s website, its an e-Commerce Business Plan Competition for aspiring e-Commerce entrepreneurs. The winning plan will get $ 50,000 in capital to start the business. Entry deadline is January 30, 2008.
Ideablob Monthly Business Idea Contest
Ideablob is giving away $ 10,000 every month for new business ideas. Submission criteria for Ideablob is broader. Visit their website to get details.
Intuit’s “Just Start” Startup Contest
Its grand prize is $ 50,000 ( a grant of cash and services ) and two prizes of $ 5,000. Deadline to enter is December 15, 2007
November 8, 2007 at 3:44 pm
As advocates of Strategic Plans over Business Plans for entrepreneurs, I tend to cringe at the number of B-plan competitions. It is a furthering of the idea that in order to succeed in business, you need a business plan. Now, as you indicated, Business Plans are the difference between gaining financial attention or not. But, for many entrepreneurs, they are just trying to get their idea off the ground and don’t need bankers or investors to do that. In which case, forego the business plan and do a simple strategic plan like the one that QuickPlanner Plus helps you develop.
November 8, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for the post. I agree with you to a certain extent. I have also seen entrepreneurs becoming successful without using any plan. But I have seen many more who could have saved tons of money and time by using a sound business plan.
A simple strategic plan can be very useful, but usually strategic plans are based on the thorough understanding of the business – and that direction comes from a complete plan – whether you call it a business plan or something else.
March 11, 2008 at 1:01 am
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October 23, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Thanks for the great resource, I had not heard of any of these competitions before.