Were you ever so convinced your business idea was a sure-fire winner that you knew it would succeed — if only you had some start-up cash?
Venture Island, a three-month long competition, invites entrepreneurial minds to pit their concepts against other business plans in a celebration of innovation – Northern California style.
The Venture Island Entrepreneur Competition will occur at the Cascade Theatre Sept. 4, Sept. 25, Oct. 16 and Nov. 6.
November is the contest’s grand finale. Then, judges and the audience members will choose and reward their favorite local entrepreneurial idea.
While the champion will win money – like $25,000 – even those who don’t take home cash will take home valuable business advice, networking and exposure.
Plus, the spectators and other contestants will learn while they watch.
With all those ideas and creativity swirling around the Cascade it might churn up a tidal wave of north state entrepreneurial excitement.
It’s part American Idol, part Survivor and part Apprentice. It’s also a potential way to earn enough money to start your business.
Chico hosted a Venture Island contest last month where the prize was $50,000.
Couple of important details: Competing entrepreneurs must be live in and plan to remain in the north state region, have scalable growth potential beyond the north state and gross annual revenues of less than $1 million.
Aug. 4 is the deadline for contestants to submit an executive summary. (Do not exceed three pages.)
July 22 the Smart Business Resource Center in downtown Redding will offer a workshop at 5:30 p.m. to assist entrepreneurs with their executive summaries. Executive summary workshops are also offered in Tehama, Lassen and Plumas counties.
Aug. 19 and 21: Screen tests
Sept. 4: Challenge One – The Trading Post
Sept. 25: Challenge Two – The Snake Pit
Oct. 16: Challenge Three: Make or Break Beach
Oct. 30: Meet the Entrepreneurs
Nov. 6: The Whole Pina Colada!
For more information check out www.thesmartcenter.biz or register at 530-245-1509.
