The Momentum Business Plan Competition will award one entrepreneur $50,000 to start (or relocate) an early-stage business in West Michigan's Mason County.
John Wilson, founder and program backer, says the competition has several objectives beyond helping a business, including attracting creative and visionary leaders to the region. "When you have high-energy thinkers and are attracting that type of person to your city, you can have a huge impact not only with their business but within the community. People are often more important than the business," he says.
Wilson says the competition is wide open with few restrictions. However, they are looking for businesses that will be selling their products and services beyond Mason County: "We want businesses that can generate revenue inside and outside of the area."
Launching a business in a smaller market has several advantages. "We have a great collaborative community," says Wilson. "People work together here. It's a tight-knit community that supports the small business side."
Administered by the Ludington & Scottville Chamber of Commerce, the Momentum Business Plan Competition is open to any eligible independent for-profit or non-profit venture with a viable business idea, plan or invention; or an existing organization or company with less than $100,000 in sales or revenue annually. Eligible contestants can upload a business plan to
momentumstartup.org until July 31, 2015. Entrance requirements and rules also can be found on the
contest website.
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor
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