Bring your ideas to light!

Applications and Guidelines will be published in Spanish soon. Presentations to the judges must be in English.

We want YOU to participate in THE GREAT Lebanon County PITCH where you will present your business idea for the chance to win big prizes.

Guidelines For Participation
We're so excited to host Lebanon County's first ever Entrepreneurial PITCH competition! You'll have the chance to win big $$ to kick-start your dream business. You could be one of two winners receiving a $2,500 grant. We will award a total of $5,000 plus packages of support services valued over $1,000. Winners will be publicized in local and regional media.
There is no cost to apply or participate.
Timeline:

• January 31, 2020 - EXTENDED - Submit your Letter of Interest. This does not mean that you have to participate. It is your consideration to participate.
  
• January through April 2020, THE CENTER will provide free workshops and SCORE Mentoring for entrepreneurs to develop and create their comprehensive business plan. For a list of scheduled workshops, please visit the  PROGRAMS  tab.
• April 24, 2020 – Deadline for Final Application and Business Plan.
• May 20, 2020 – THE GREAT Lebanon County PITCH will be presented in a public event at a location to be determined.

Six applicants will be selected to present their PITCH in front of a panel of judges including business and community leaders. No additional money will be awarded or promised other than the $5,000 award money. No investors will be making offers on presentations.

THE GREAT Lebanon County PITCH is open to the following:

• A business in Lebanon County that is expanding or altering your business model
• Entrepreneur(s) with an idea to create a new business located within Lebanon County

What You Need to Do:
Please fill out the Letter of Interest to hold your spot in the competition. This form can be emailed, mailed, or hand delivered to THE CENTER by January 17, 2020.

Applicants must utilize the services of THE CENTER for Entrepreneurial Excellence while preparing or reviewing your Business Plan. This may include attending workshops/seminars geared to help you create your Business Plan, marketing plan, and financial forecast. You can also connect with a FREE SCORE Mentor to review documents you may already have.

Applicants will submit a Final Application and Business Plan for review and consideration to present at THE GREAT PITCH event.

If selected to present, applicants will have 5 minutes to present their business concept at THE GREAT PITCH event.

The Business Plan must include the following details

• Contact information
• Name of business
• Overview and description of business concept
• Acknowledgment of investors or partners (silent partners do not need to be disclosed)
• Tentative or known business location
• Approximate number of employees
• Financial projections
• Viability of the business via research (including location data and competition)
• Sales & marketing plan
• Budget for how the grant money will be used
• (Optional) Recommendations/Letters of Support

Winners will be announced at THE GREAT PITCH on May 20, 2020.
Please send all correspondence to:
info@thecenterlebanon.org
or
THE CENTER
604 Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042

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Suggested categories include:

• Accounting
• Marketing
  
• Banking
  
• Rental space
  
• Website development
  
• Advertising
• Printing
• Legal Services
  
• Business Mentoring/Coaching
  
• Business Development/Consulting
  
• Office Supplies
• Cleaning Services
• Technology Services

Do you provide services to small businesses? You can support THE GREAT Lebanon County PITCH and gain free advertising, by donating a package of services to the winners with a minimum $500 value (can be product or services). For details, contact Karen Groh at info@thecenterlebanon.org.