Chicago Community Ventures Blog

FAQs: City Treasurer's Small Business Plan Competition

FAQs

DATES
What are the important dates that I need to know? 

ELIGIBILITY
My business is not located in Chicago, can I still enter the competition? 
Can I submit a business plan if I am currently in business?  
Can I submit a business plan if I am not in business yet?  

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Should I submit an entire business plan in the first round?
I don't like Arial 10 pt font, can I just use another font?
My executive summary is longer than 3 pages, is that ok? 
Will someone contact me about the status of my submission? 
Will someone provide feedback on my submission? 

BUSINESS PLAN WORKSHOPS
What if I don't know how to write a business plan?
How do I register for a "How to Write a Business Plan" workshop?  
Is there a fee for the business plan writing workshops?  
When will people be notified if they need to submit a business plan?  

PRIZES
What are the prizes? 
Where does my check come from if I win the competition? 
If I win the competition, will I be paid the day of the Small Business Expo? 
Aside from the money, are their additional perks to being a winner? 

CONTACT
Can I call to get additional information? 

Scroll down to read the answers to these Frequently Asked Questions. 

Last Day to Enter Constant Contact Contest - Chicago Businesses Only!

 

Kick off your 2011 with
Email Marketing + Social Media

 

Enter the City of Chicago Online Marketing Contest
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Show us your best email or social media campaign. You could win cash and a free Constant Contact account!

Eric Groves, Senior VP of Constant Contact, and our panel of industry experts and Chicago luminaries will pick the best entries. You deserve a prize — Enter your winning campaign today!

Any campaign you run between November 1st, 2010 and February 28th, 2011 is eligible, but see the official rules for details.

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See the Fine Print

Be sure to read the contest rules and regulations.*

Submit your Best Email Marketing Campaign.

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* All winners will receive free Constant Contact accounts for one year.

Inspired Restaraunt Makeover Contest - Valued up to $100,000

Enter for a chance to win* a prize package
valued up to $100,000!

Are you a Small Independent Operator/Full-Service Restaurant (SIO/FSR) in the U.S. with an annual revenue of $2 million or less (per location) and three or fewer locations? If so, Unilever Food Solutions wants to help grow your business!

One contest winner will be chosen and awarded a prize package that includes:

• More than 100 hours of one-on-one consultation services from Unilever Food Solutions to help you better meet your guests' needs; ensure your menu is fresh, healthy and profitable; and keep your kitchen running efficiently. Consultation services include access to Unilever Food Solutions' Certified Master Chef and Registered Dietitian
• One-year supply of free Unilever Food Solutions professional ingredients (up to $55,000)
• $5,000 in cash to invest in front-of-house/back-of-house improvements to your restaurant
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Inspired Restaurant Makeover Contest entries will be judged by a panel of Unilever Food Solutions employees and partner agency representatives based on the following:

• Originality
• Proven need for Unilever Food Solutions assistance
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Note: Prize will be awarded to winner's business, not the individual who entered the contest on behalf of the business. The winner's business will accept the tax burden for prize package.

 

To apply and get more details from the Unilever site, click here

Business Plan Top 10 for 2010 Announced

Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely recently announced the Top Ten finalists for the 2010 City Treasurer’s Business Plan Competition. The Treasurer’s office attracted a record number of participants this year, making it very difficult to choose the ten finalists.

“We are excited about this year’s business plan competition as we had the largest number of participants in the competition’s history," CCV President Anita Hollins said.

The competition couldn’t have happened without the generous efforts of the volunteers who scored executive summaries and hosted business plan workshops to help the participants prepare for the contest.

"We are truly grateful to the volunteers who served as judges, hosts, and presenters," Hollins said, "It was through their concerted effort of time, input and resources that ten finalists were selected from more than 175 participants."

"You all are truly champions!" Hollins said.

Please don’t forget to attend the City Treasurer’s Small Business Expo, where the winners will be announced. The expo will be held on Friday, July 16 at the UIC Forum. Previous years of the expos have been a big hit within the small business community and we know this year will be even better!

Please see below for the top ten finalists and a little something about them.

The Art Organizer
A company that will provide cataloging, appraisal, and consulting services to corporate and private collectors of fine art. Their process will help clients organize, display, market, and protect all documentation and Art.

Crimson Leadership
A professional services firm providing leadership in multiple categories for individuals and organizations in the nonprofit, governmental, corporate, and small business sectors.

Grid Busters
A Green Energy Company that plans to turn your business or home green - and save you thousands of dollars in one day. In one session they will help you create a clean, green money-saving machine.

HoneyBee
A company that will offer streaming content distribution and management promotion services for bands and live music venues. They plan to create new revenue sources for artists and promote the Chicago music scene globally.

MobileCare Rx
A company that is affiliated with a Chicago based independent pharmacy and plans to provide outstanding mobile and accessible on-site pharmacists to provide personalized healthcare to employer groups.

OfficeFlexed.com
An e-commerce company connecting telecommuters, freelance, and independent workers with office and production facilities on a flexible basis.

On Glass Auto Detailing
A company that will provide their customers with environmentally friendly, mobile, car wash and detailing services. The “Green” Car Wash will reclaim most of the water used in the detailing process.

Perfect Fit Corp.
A company that connects the sewn-product industry with partnerships with neighborhood organizations. The training and jobs produced in the fashion, designing-and tailoring industry will produce jobs and address the verified shortages of skilled labor.

Redeal.me
A company that capitalizes on various forms of communications including social media networks to connect students with textbooks and video games at discounted rates.

Washington Interactive Services
A company promoting a Green and Healthy lifestyle by delivering delicious and healthy snacks in Chicago via Bicycle.

Don't Forget to Enter the City Treasurer's Business Plan Competition by April 5!

Richard M. Daley Mayor

Stephanie D. Neely City Treasurer

$10,000 in Cash Prizes Available to Winners!

It's that time of year again! The City Treasurer's Office and CCV are taking applications for The City Treasurer's Business Plan Competition.  The competition  is open to start-up and existing small businesses throughout the city. To compete for a chance to win one of the cash prizes, current or soon-to-be business owners must complete a two-page executive summary (on the official template) detailing your business and what makes it unique.  Applications must be received by April 5, 2010.

Ten finalists will then be selected to submit a full business plan. Three winners will be selected based on their ability to clearly and concisely articulate their business idea, the creativity and practicability of their marketing and sales strategy, and the overall viability of their business. The winners will be announced on July 16 at the Chicago City Treasurer’s Small Business Expo. In addition, the winners present their winning business plans at the Expo.

First Place - $5,000  * Second Place - $3,500  *  Third Place - $1,500

For more information, official rules, and important dates check out the CCV Website.