The Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC), Rural Maryland Council (RMC), and Maryland Capital Enterprises(MCE) have joined together to offer the Third Annual Eastern Shore Business Competition. According to their website, the purpose of the competition is to promote and encourage the start-up of new businesses and in turn the creation of new jobs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The competition will remain open for submissions until October 24, 2014.The winner will receive a cash prize of $25,000 and will advance to the semi-final round of the 2015 InvestMaryland Challenge Business Competition in pursuit of the $100,000 cash prize. They will also receive free entry into the MassChallenge accelerator competition.

The MassChallenge four-month accelerator program provides world-class mentorship and training, free office space, access to funding, media and more, along with over $1M in cash awards and over $10M of in-kind support. The competition is open to start-ups and existing businesses who either want to expand or start a new business.

For eligibility and rules, please visit www.ventureahead.org/Business-Plan-Competitions. For more information, contact Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center Executive Director Mike Thielke at mike@ventureahead.org.