BDCC opens applications to compete for the 2021 Windham County Business Plan Competition
Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation (BDCC), has opened Applications to Compete for the 2021 Windham County Business Plan Competition. The multi-year competition is funded by the Windham County Economic Development Program and will create an opportunity for scalable, and growth-focused businesses in the region to refine their business plans, hone their pitch, and receive an award that will assist their startup operations or growth plans.
The Award
- $20,000 Cash Award
- $5,000 in Amazon Web Services Credits
- $3,000 (value) in Technical Assistance / Consulting from BDCC
- Streamlined application for BDCC’s loan programs
Please visit https://brattleborodevelopment.com/windham-county-business-plan-competition/ to begin the Application to Compete. Be sure to read the competition’s complete rules to understand eligibility and how plans will be judged. 15-20 eligible Applications to Compete are needed in order for the competition proceed.
Businesses will complete an Application to Compete and if the business meets the eligibility and scoring requirements, they will be extended an Invitation to Compete. If invited, businesses will prepare a business plan, pitch video, and participate in a live pitch event in celebration of Global Entrepreneur Week. Each activity is designed to help Windham County entrepreneurs better launch and cultivate businesses that will grow and help to create a more vibrant economy in the region.
Competition Timeline
9/1/2021 – Application to Compete Open
10/15/2021 – Application to Compete Closes
10/15/2021 – Pitch Video Due
10/20/2021 – Invitations to Compete Sent
10/25/2021 – Notification of Acceptance
11/8/21 – Pitch Event
12/1/2021 – Final Business Plan Due
01/14/2022 – Award Announcement
The Background
WCEDP was created to help relieve the economic impact from over $60 Million in losses due to the closure of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant. Since the program launch, WCEDP funds have helped existing businesses, reinforce economic development infrastructure, and generate new businesses and entrepreneurial opportunities.
A focus of the Southern Vermont Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) has been to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem and develop emerging high wage, high growth job sectors in the region.
The BDCC and WCEDP 2021 Business Plan Competition will continue to focus on supporting growth-focused enterprises and stimulate the region’s network of entrepreneurs.
