New or Existing Business Focused Competition

The Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC) and Maryland Capital Enterprises have once again teamed up to sponsor the second annual Eastern Shore Business Plan Competition.  Open to new and existing business owners who want to start or expand their venture on the Eastern Shore, the contest features $35,000 in cash and services and an opportunity to compete in both the InvestMaryland and MassChallenge programs.

“The inaugural competition helped us announce to the rest of Maryland that the Eastern Shore is not only a viable area for startups and entrepreneurs, but also a desirable area,” says Mike Thielke, of ESEC. “The quantity and quality of our applicants and their successes since the competition has been tremendous.”

Individual or groups may apply and award winners must agree to use the prize winnings to establish or continue business operations in one of Maryland’s Eastern Shore counties. Interested applicants must confirm eligibility, register and submit all material by Monday, October 28.

Five finalists will present their plans to a panel of judges during the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on November 21. Winners will be announced at a reception and prize packages valued at $20,000 (1st Place); $10,000 (2nd Place); and $5,000 (3rd Place).

The top winner automatically advances to the semi-final round of the 2014 InvestMaryland Challenge to compete for a $100,000 cash prize. New this year is the contest’s affiliation with MassChallenge.

“We want to position our competition as a feeder for MassChallenge, one of the country’s premiere accelerator programs,“ said Thielke, adding, “we will pay the entry fee for our top winners to enter this renowned entrepreneurial competition.”

For information call (410) 770-9330 or visit www.ventureahead.org.