$100,000 PremierPlan Competition Launched to Encourage Entrepreneurship

WDCEP Launches PremierPlan, a business plan competition, with CAPCO funding.

Understanding the strain that the current financial market has placed on small businesses the Washington, DC Economic Partnership’s BusinessPremier program has launched a new initiative, PremierPlan, a business plan competition.

The program, which will award $100,000 in investment capital and a package of pro bono services, is funded by DC Certified Capital Company participants, and is held in conjunction with the DC Coalition for Capital.

Additional pro bono business services are provided by Venable LLP and Preferred Office. The goal of the competition is to, “promote entrepreneurship and the development of early stage companies in the District of Columbia.”

Businesses who meet the requirements, DC-based, operational for at least one year, a small business as defined by the SBA, and satisfy employee residency minimums are encouraged to apply. Applicants must also show that they have failed to obtain conventional financing.

To assist businesses in developing the most compelling business plans, the Washington, DC Economic Partnership will be holding workshops taught by industry leaders and renowned faculty from partner DC graduate business school programs concluding in May.

To register for one or all, please click here.

Applications are due April 20, business plans May 20, 2009. To download application materials and rules and guidelines, please click here.

The winner will be announced at the 2009 BusinessPremier Small Business Awards on July 22, 2009.