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Small Business Kick Start
Annual Pitch Competitions 2022 
1. NEW STUDENT PITCH COMPETITION:
This year we are inviting teams or individual Wayne County students to present their business ideas in the form of a 5-min video pitch. Projects will highlight new business ideas, product concepts, or service-oriented endeavors. Through the process of applying, students will learn the basics of developing a good business plan, performing relevant market research, and delivering a "pitch" speech to potential investors. The winners will be chosen by judges from the local business and education community. Multiple cash prizes totaling $5,000 awarded including the project that is most transformative for Wayne County. Winner announcements will be made at the adult live "pitch" competition in November of 2022.
Students must submit an executive summary of the business plan, financial projections and a video pitch to be part of the first annual Student Pitch Competition. Read Eligibility and Submission Guidelines for instructions.
- Student Pitch Competition Eligibility & Submission Guidelines
- Student Pitch Competition Cover Page
- Submission Deadline is October 14, 2022.
- HOW TO SUBMIT A VIDEO. Please upload your video to your own private account on Youtube or Vimeo. Be sure to mark the video as private with permission to view and download to those you share with. Email a share link to the video to dhall@co.wayne.ny.us along with your Application cover page and Executive Summary (a description of your idea.)
WHO: Available for students who will be in grade 9 through grade 12 by October 2022 (22-23 school year). Student must be a resident of Wayne County or enrolled in a Wayne County school district. Student can be enrolled in public, private or home school.
WHAT: Develop a business, product or service concept into a deliverable business plan including some financial projections, then video tape your team pitching the business.
WHEN: Start preparing now. Deadline for submissions will be October 14, 2022. No fee to participate.
WHERE: Video submissions will be evaluated privately. Winners will be contacted and videos will be presented to the public at the Live "Pitch" competition in November.
If you have any questions about Student Pitch application, contact Deb Hall at 315-946-5919.
RESOURCES FOR MENTORS AND STUDENTS
- How to Write an Executive Summary
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/executive-summary-of-the-business-plan-2948012 - Financial Projection Excel Sheet (Please use this for your submission.)
- Presentation Overview
- See Resources under Adult Competition and SCORE Workshops (see links to pre-recorded videos below).
2. ADULT PITCH COMPETITION:
This competition is open to all Wayne County residents who have a new business (less than three years old), a new business idea, or are in the concept stage of developing a business in Wayne County. The Winner will receive a cash award to kick start their new business.
Hear what past winners have to say: (click on photo to see video).
- 2021 winner, Sodus Bay Outfitters
- 2020 winner, Agri-trak
- 2019 winner, Load Alone
Adult Pitch applicants must review and adhere to these following items. Terms and conditions could change.
- 2022 Adult Application
- 2022 Adult Pitch Eligibility & Guidelines
- Grant Disbursement Agreement required, if chosen as winner.
- Attend at least one of the free SCORE business education workshops listed below under Resources.
- Include a non-refundable application fee of $50.00.
- Deadline to apply will be September 23, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
If you have any questions about Adult Pitch application, contact Katie Bronson at krbronson@co.wayne.ny.us 315-946-5920.
RESOURCES FOR ADULT PITCH APPLICANTS
1. Sample Documents for applicants to use when preparing their business plan. NOTE: If you did not attend a live session, you must watch one of the video below and submit the Business Model Canvas*.
- *Business Model Canvas (PDF)
- Financial Statements (Excel Sheet)
- Business Resources List (PDF)
- Cash Flow Template (Excel Sheet)
2. Online SCORE workshops SCORE Workshops are free to all participants. All applicants are required to complete at least one workshop of your choice before submitting your Adult Pitch application. The first 6 Workshops will be available via Zoom.
Workshops Recorded 2022
- July 26, 2022 - Intros and the Business Model Canvas(link to recorded workshop)
- August 2, 2022 - Sales and Marketing(link to recorded workshop)
- August 9, 2022 - Accounting, Financials, and Budgeting(link to recorded workshop)
- August 16, 2022 - Insurance and Legal Entities(link to recorded workshop)
- August 23, 2022 - Banking and Pricing (link to recorded workshop)
- August 30, 2022 at 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM - In-depth Financial Review Wrap Up
- Insurance Needs
3. SCORE Mentors For more information on the SCORE organization or for a private consultation with a SCORE mentor, view the SCORE mentoring website.
4. The New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC) provides small business owners and entrepreneurs in New York with one-on-one business counseling, training, and business research. All advisement is free and confidential. For more information visit the New York Small Business Development Center website and start by making an appointment with a Certified Business Advisor.