Lakeshore’s Next Top Entrepreneur competition seeks innovations, innovators

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

Lakeshore Advantage and Hope College Center for Faithful Leadership are looking for 10 inventive, creative entrepreneurs and their ideas to compete in the second annual Lakeshore’s Next Top Entrepreneur contest Nov. 21. The competition is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an international effort to inspire college students to consider entrepreneurship as a career choice.

“We feel that entrepreneurship is imperative in helping to revitalize our economy,” says Amanda Chocko, marketing manager for the Lakeshore Business Garden. “Gone are the days when you graduate from college and go to work for a corporation for 20 years or more.”

The competition consists of three rounds, pitched to a panel of judges:

• Round 1: A 90-second presentation on why entrepreneurship is important and what personal characteristics the contestant has that would make them a great entrepreneur.
  
• Round 2: A four-minute business idea pitch illuminating the problem the business or product will solve and what’s unique about the idea. Contestant can bring prototypes and presentation materials.
  
• Round 3: A seven-minute presentation on unique selling points, marketing, obstacles to overcome, how to make money, and potential growth opportunities.

“First prize is $1,000 and the winner can become part of the Lakeshore Business Garden business incubator for three months, where we’ll help them further their idea, get capital, and get help with prototyping,” Chocko says.

Second and third-place winners will also win the Business Garden package, as well as a cash prize.

Contestants can be any age, but must be enrolled in a Michigan college full or part time. Applications are due Oct. 20.

Click here to email Amanda Chocko for an application.

Source: Amanda Chocko, Lakeshore Advantage Business Garden

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].