Virtually 50 local business owners competing for prize cash to fund their enterprise notion

VINTON, Va. – Just about 50 nearby entrepreneurs submitted their business enterprise plans this 7 days to be judged in the Gauntlet, as they turn into a single stage closer to earning their small business dreams come genuine. The Gauntlet is the state’s major company competitiveness method that has aided hundreds of neighborhood corporations begin or increase around the earlier 7 several years.

Now, a panel of nearby business industry experts and economic leaders will begin reading over their strategies, selecting which strategies have earned a spot in the last stage of the opposition. Finalists will have the chance to give their organization pitch in-particular person in front of the judges.

Tens of thousands of pounds of funds and in-kind prizes are on the line to assist fund their plan. Finalists will gain the highest awards. Every entrepreneur that concluded the application will gain some thing to assist them start off their enterprise.

Additional than 100 entrepreneurs began the 10-7 days plan this year. Shannon Dominguez with the Development Basis, the nonprofit guiding the Gauntlet, said 49 business owners are competing. The majority of individuals had been submitted from business owners in Roanoke Metropolis. There are 16 from Roanoke Town, 10 from Roanoke County and various business owners from Botetourt, Bedford, Lexington and Allegheny Highlands.

Advertisement

Small business concepts becoming pitched this calendar year array from a assortment of industries like retail, agriculture and restaurants, and are becoming submitted by a variety of contributors — just one that’s only 7-yrs-old, the youngest in Gauntlet background. Quite a few businesses, like Woven Artisan Gallery, also aspect neighborhood give-back again themes and concentration on company duty.

This is the to start with 12 months the program has been offered in the Bedford area. Progression Foundation President Annette Patterson says they have options to carry on to broaden throughout the region, specially in the New River Valley next year.

Advert

Winners will be declared in May perhaps. 10 Information is a proud media sponsor of the Gauntlet.