STUART — Plans are forging ahead for the second annual Research Coast Business Plan Competition to be held Thursday, March 6, 2014 in the Wolf High Technology Center at the Susan H. Johnson Auditorium of Indian River State College’s Chastain Campus in Stuart.
As an official launch, a kickoff event was already held at the same Stuart location for business start-ups, entrepreneurs, and companies interested in learning more about the competition.
Fifty representatives of companies along the Treasure Coast learned about the area’s vast start-up support system and to get directions for submitting business plans for consideration by equity capitalists. The top prize is $25,000, as well as a package of free legal, accounting, and mentoring advice.
“Through the Business Plan Competition, we seek to bring together all the relevant elements of our Research Coast’s communities in support of business development and by creating jobs on the Research Coast,” explained Kevin Barry, President of the Principium Foundation and a partner in the Vero Beach based law firm of Rossway Moore Swan.
Other directors of the foundation include Barry’s partner John Moore, Russell Bjorkman, an international corporate attorney, Michael Corbit, the Director Talent Acquisition Unit of Workforce Solutions, Vinny Olmstead, founder of Vocap Ventures, Jan Pagano, Associate Dean of Administrative Services at Indian River State College, and retired entrepreneur Ed Tighe.
In 2013, from a group of thirty-four submissions, 5 finalists were asked to participate on competition day, and 2 emerging companies from Indian River County won the top two slots in front of 150 attendees, 4 venture capitalist “Shark Tank” judges, and 7 directors of the Principium Foundation.
TruMobility (Private Cellular Network solutions) received a cash prize of $25,000, the title of Inaugural Champion, as well as a package of free legal, accounting, and mentoring advice. Enjoying a cash prize of $15,000 was the second place winner Azzly (a Web-based Healthcare Record and Management System.)
For those businesses wishing to apply, the foundation is looking for entrepreneurs and companies with innovative ideas. Applicants from all industries are welcome to apply.
Bonus points, however, will be given for companies that are operating in one of the qualified target industries which include Cleantech, Life sciences, Information technology, Aviation/aerospace, Logistics and distribution, Defense and homeland security, Financial/professional services, and Manufacturing.
Sponsors include Bank of America, Indian River State College, Rossway Moore Swan, Scripps Treasure Coast Newspaper, Vocap Ventures, and Workforce Solutions.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 17, 2014. Applications can be found on the website at www.RCBizNovation.com.
