Again this spring, $20,000 in cash and business services is up for grabs, to be shared by startup businesses or would-be entrepreneurs, from the San Joaquin (Calif.) Entrepreneur Challenge.
The challenge, an "American Idol"-style competition, weighs business proposals from budding entrepreneurs in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties and with final selections made by a panel of expert judges as well as audience votes during live events planned Feb. 29 and March 21 in Stockton.
The initial hurdle, however, is that entrants must complete and submit an application -- available online at sjchallenge.com -- by Feb. 5. Help in completing applications will be available at workshops Jan. 24 in Stockton, Jan. 25 in Modesto and Jan. 26 in Atwater.
Competing in last year's challenge was a great experience, said Jamie Norwood, one of five family members behind Amalia's Cocina Inc., a Denair startup company producing a line of natural Mexican sauces that won the 2010 competition.
Certainly the shot of funding, which helped Amalia's boost its marketing efforts as well as services, was a help, Norwood said. But just as helpful were the exposure and networking experience.
Venture capitalists, marketing professionals, lawyers and business educators are involved in the event.
"You meet so many people from many different aspects of business that can be helpful to you," Norwood said. "I would strongly recommend it for any entrepreneur."
The San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge is part of a broad regional economic development strategy to stimulate business startups and job creation in the San Joaquin Valley. It is presented by the San Joaquin Angels, an angel capital group.
Mark Plovnick, Angels president and economic development director at University of the Pacific, said that stimulus is starting to pay off.
"As a result of the previous two years of competition, over 150 entrepreneurs in our region have developed plans to start or grow their businesses," he said. "Some of these plans have already led to business development, and it is our hope that many others will be successful and lead to economic development and job growth in our region."
Applications received by the Feb. 5 deadline will be screened by business and academic experts who will select contestants for the live competitions. More information about the competition is available at the event website, sjchallenge.com.
To make a reservation for the Jan. 24 application workshop, to be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Small Business Development Center, 56 S. Lincoln St., Stockton, call (209) 954-5089.
Contact reporter Reed Fujii at (209) 546-8253 or rfujii@ recordnet.com.
Mark Plovnick, San Joaquin Angels president: "As a result of the previous two years of competition, over 150 entrepreneurs in our region have developed plans to start or grow their businesses."
