“Big Idea” competition accepting applications
It’s that time of the year again for big ideas!
The Knoxville Chamber, Development Corporation of Knox County, and Tech 20/20 are again joining forces for the 2014 edition of the “What’s the Big Idea?!” business plan competition.
As the old saying goes, you have to enter to participate, and the application deadline is 5 p.m. April 4. Interested entrepreneurs can access the application by clicking here.
Much like last year, 15 contestants will be selected on April 11 to participate in two “Idea Launch” seminars, which will help them refine their ideas and fine-tune their pitches. This initial set of contestants will give five-minute pitches at “Team Selection Night” on May 6.
After all have presented, nine participants will be selected to go forward to the next round. The selection process is the reverse of being voted off the island. Instead, three local coaches – all successful entrepreneurs – will select three individuals to mentor over the next month.
The coaches will work with their teams to prepare them for the “Knock-Out Competitions” set for June 3. This round will pit three contestants against each other, one from each team, in three separate rounds. A panel of independent judges will narrow the group from nine to three for the June 24 finale.
Just to add a little more drama to the 2014 event, the six contestants voted out in the “Knock-out Competitions” could still get a chance to participate in the finale. The sponsors are planning a special competition named the “People’s Choice Pitch” which will be held at the beginning of the finale.
The winner of that competition will become the fourth finalist for the grand prize of $10,000 to help defray start-up costs, office space, and complimentary business services.
Click here (Big Idea) to read the Knoxville Chamber news release.
