One early-stage or startup company will receive$30,000 plus legal advice and marketing services through the Denver Office of Economic Development’s JumpStart BizPlan awards program.
The awards are open to startups as well as businesses with 25 or fewer employees that have been in operation for five years or less. Applicant businesses must reside, or have plans to reside, in Denver. The deadline to apply is Aug. 14. Applications will be accepted until 150 entries have been received.
For more information or to apply, visit .
Three early-stage and three start up companies will be selected to pitch their business plans during a Sept. 28 Denver Startup Week event.
The top prize package includes $30,000 in cash, legal advice from the Polsinelli law firm and strategic marketing services from dovetail solutions. A $5,000 cash prize, sponsored by Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain Inc., also is available to a top teen entrepreneur.
“Incredible innovations, products and services are sprouting from firms of all levels and across many industries throughout Denver,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said in a release. “By spotlighting these rising stars, we hope to spur investment opportunities, open up access to new markets, and ultimately help the finalists to attain their growth plans.”
The program builds off of two previous business plan competitions offered by OED in 2012 and 2013. Past top winners include and .
“The JumpStart BizPlan Award is an opportunity to publicly recognize and celebrate our strong culture of innovation,” OED executive director Paul Washington said. “We’re challenging entrepreneurs to bring forth their best ideas, from which we can help grow jobs, expand the tax base, and make Denver a better place to live, work and play.”
Applications will be reviewed initially via the Business Catapult online platform by OED staff and volunteers from TiE Rockies. Ten semifinalist companies will be asked to provide a complete business plan; the subsequent three finalists will present to a panel of venture capital professionals who select a sole winner.
The presenting sponsors are Deloitte and U.S. Bank.
