CHICAGO LAWN — Business owners and entrepreneurs have the chance to win up to $40,000 in cash and prizes through the Englewood Quality of Life Business Plan Competition, with Whole Foods as the lead sponsor.
To be eligible, participants must:
• Have a great business idea
• Be a U.S. citizen age 18 or older
• Be a new or existing for-profit Englewood-based business
An informational session is set for Aug. 11 at Marquette Bank, 6316 S. Western Ave. from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The Englewood Quality of Life Business Plan Competition is presented by the Jobs & Economic Development Task Force.
The competition will help small business owners and entrepreneurs launch new ventures or expand existing ones. Participants must create or refine their business plans in a way that would serve a need in Englewood.
Businesses will receive free technical assistance along with seminars and coaching.
Finalists will be expected to participate in a public pitch competition in December and face a panel of judges.
“This is an opportunity for fledging businesses to ramp-up their game and receive excellent supportive services in addition to having an opportunity to win big cash prizes to advance their businesses,” said Perry Gunn, Teamwork Englewood's executive director in a statement.
"We seek the best talent with the brightest new ideas from the community to help create a vibrant and sustainable business district in the heart of Englewood.”
Sponsors include Whole Foods, Marquette Bank, Teamwork Englewood and Greater Englewood Development Corporation. Eligible applicants will compete for a total of $40K in cash prizes that will be awarded to multiple businesses.
Participants must enter by Aug. 18.
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