The public is invited to hear the winners in the Big Idea Business Plan Competition announced at an awards ceremony slated for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 in Tom Smith Auditorium of Ketner Hall on Catawba College's campus.
Would-be entrepreneurs in Rowan County had a chance to vie for cash prizes in the Big Idea Business Plan Competition that began March 1st and ran through March 21st. The competition is sponsored by Catawba College's Ketner School of Business as a way to promote entrepreneurship and an understating of the business planning process for Rowan County residents.
The competition invited participation in one of three categories – 1) high school, 2) college and 3) adult and each division competes for a $1,000 first place prize, a $500 second place prize and a $250 third place prize.
Participants were asked to submit a broad summary of their business concept online. The top three competitors in each division were assigned a mentor(s) who helped guide and refine their business plan development. A completed Business Model Canvas, along with a two-to-three minute video pitching the business idea, was submitted to the judges for final review and ranking.
Dr. Pam Thompson, KSOB interim dean and Big Idea co-chair along with Dr. Phillip Frank, said she sees this year's competition as "the first annual" and hopes it will "sow the seeds of entrepreneurship for the future Ralph Ketners in our county."
A generous grant from Mr. Ralph Ketner made possible the competition and the $1,750 per division prizes.
