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Do You Have a Great Business Idea? The City Wants To Hear It

The Chicago City Treasurer’s Office is proud to announce the launch of the annual Business Plan Competition. The competition is open to start-up and existing small businesses throughout the city. To compete for a chance to win cash for your small business, submit your two-page executive summary (official executive summary template can be found at www.jvschicago.org/duman) detailing your business and what makes it unique. Ten finalists will then be selected to submit a full business plan. Three winners will be selected based on their ability to clearly and concisely articulate their business idea, the creativity and practicability of their marketing and sales strategy, and the overall viability of their business. The winners will be announced on October 5 at the Chicago City Treasurer’s Small Business Expo – 725 W. Roosevelt Road - 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. In addition, the winners will present their winning business plans at the Expo.
First Place Winner - $5,000 * Second Place Winner - $3,500 * Third Place Winner - $1,500
Competition Rules:
· Business can be a start-up venture or an existing business. Existing businesses should not be in business more than 3 years and should have revenues below $2 million.
· All businesses must be located or plan to be located in the City of Chicago.
· The following businesses are not considered eligible for the competition: Tobacco production, Hard liquor production, Casinos or other gamble ventures, Fur production, Currency speculation, Securities investment, Speculative industries, Adult entertainment related industries.
* For a complete set of rules please the FAQ page at www.jvschicago.org/duman or e-mail businessplans@cityofchicago.org
Important 2012 Dates:
Business Plan Workshops – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
· Wed. April 11, Bernard Horwich Center, 3003 W. Touhy, presented by JVS Chicago /IL SBDC/ Duman Entrepreneurship Center
· Wed. May 9, Quad Communities Development Corporation SSA #47, The Connection -4321 S. Cottage Grove
· Wed. June 6, JVS Chicago / IL SBDC/ Duman Entrepreneurship Center, 216 W. Jackson Blvd, 2nd Floor Training Room
· Wed. June 27, Chatham Business Association, 806 E. 78th Street
Fri. July 6: Executive summary submission due (by 4:30 p.m.)
Mon. August 6: 10 Finalists announced
Fri. August 24: Finalists’ business plans due (by 4:30 p.m.)
Fri. October 5: Winners announced at Small Business Expo at UIC Forum
To enter, submit the two-page executive summary on the Official Competition Template via e-mail in Microsoft Word or PDF format to businessplans@cityofchicago.org by July 6th at 4:30 p.m.
Templates are available at www.chicagocitytreasurer.com or www.jvschicago.org/duman.
For more information or with questions call the Chicago/IL SBDC/Duman Entrepreneurship Center at 312-673-3429.
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