WHAT IS IT?

A region-wide competition funded by the Windham County Economic Development Program for growth-oriented businesses

The winner will receive a $20,000 grant award

WHEN DO I START?

Competition Timeline

Quick Pitch Events in May or June:

  • June 1st, 4-5:15pm –  Bar 580, Brattleboro
  • June 6th, 4:30- 6pm – Great Falls Chamber, Bellows Falls
  • June 7th, 4:30-6:30pm – The White House, Wilmington
  • June 8th, 2-3:15pm – New American Grill, Londonderry

Invitation to Final Pitch Event – July 2023

Final Pitch Event – September 2023

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Biz Plan 3

Eligibility Criteria

Baseline criteria for consideration in the competition:

  • Currently operating businesses
  • Business located in Windham County
  • Not a previous awardee of the WCEDP Competition
  • Participated in the WCEDP Competitions fewer than 2 times.

Participants in the Quick Pitch Round and the Final Round will be judged on the following:

  • Have a 3-year growth plan.
  • Prove a strong team, with experience in the industry.
  • Understanding of the industry, market, and competition
  • Identify what market strategies will be used drive revenue.
  • Show recirculation of revenue in Windham Region: suppliers, equipment, employees, services etc.

Participants in the Final Round should include the following “Stretch criteria”:

  • Have a 5-year growth plan.
  • Show the addition of 2 NEW full-time employees (in Windham County), within the 5-year growth plan.
  • Show revenue derived from a broad geographic area (tourist dollars don’t count).
  • Provide examples of customer interest, reviews, contracts etc.

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Participation Criteria

Quick Pitch Round

Participants will:

  • Register online; include a description of the business/project proposal.
  • Attend one of the local Quick Pitch Events and pitch their idea to the panel of judges. (Those unable to attend, will submit a video recorded pitch)
  • Be selected by judges to move on to the final round.

Final Round:

Participants will:

  • Be assigned a mentor.
  • Complete a formal Business Plan (software access provided), including financial projections.
  • Pitch their business at the Final Pitch Event, to a panel of judges.

$20,000 Grand Prize Winner

Awardee will:

  • Be selected by the panel of Judges following the Final Pitch Event based on the 2023 Eligibility Criteria.
  • Meet all requirements to receive the award, to be distributed in the form of a grant.