Vermont Tech launches business plan competition

Itâ s far from business as usual at Vermont Tech, which is launching aBusiness Plan Competitionfor food- and farm-related businesses to encourage new business development. Open to residents and students in Washington, Orange, and Windsor Counties, prizes totaling $22,250 will be awarded.
The competition is open to farm and food individuals and businesses engaged in food production, processing, distribution, packaging, or retailing including restaurants. Also eligible are those in the agriculture enterprises of wood products, equine-related businesses, and fiber production.
â Vermont Tech is seeking to raise awareness of small business entrepreneurship and to encourage new business development in three critical areas: Existing Business, New Business, and Student,’said Steve Paddock, director of the Vermont Tech Enterprise Center, a business incubator designed to support growth companies.
Up to five finalists will be selected in each category. To be eligible for the competition, the existing or new business must be for-profit and physically located within Washington, Orange, or Windsor County, and must have gross revenue that does not exceed $500,000. For the Student category, the entrant must be a currently enrolled student who either lives or attends school within one of the three counties.
The Vermont Small Business Development Center will offer Application Workshops during April to help those interested create high quality applications. Applications are due May 21, 2012. Finalists will be announced by June 1, 2012, and will have until October 5, 2012, to complete their full business plans. Finalists will present their plans to a panel of judges on October 12, 2012, at Vermont Tech. Winners in each category will be announced that day, following the presentations.
For application forms and more information, go towww.vtc.edu/businessplanor contact Steve Paddock at[email protected]or802.728.9101.
Randolph, VT,April 16, 2012â About Vermont Technical College‘Vermont Technical College is the only public institution of higher learning in Vermont whose mission is applied education. One of the five Vermont State Colleges, Vermont Tech serves students from throughout Vermont, New England, and beyond at its two primary campuses in Williston and Randolph Center, and at nine nursing campuses located throughout the state. Our academic programs encompass a wide range of engineering, agricultural, health, and business fields that are vital to producing the knowledge workers need most by employers in the state and in the region.www.vtc.edu.