Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition applications due August 19
Applications are now open for the Liftoff Houston Startup Business Plan Competition, where three winners will each receive $10,000 in seed money to fund their dreams of entrepreneurship. Applications must be received by 2 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022. The competition, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, is sponsored by Capital One Bank and administered by the Houston Public Library (HPL) and the Office of Business Opportunity (OBO).
To be eligible for the competition, applicants must live in, and operate their businesses within the city limits of Houston. The business should be for-profit, in operation for less than one year, and have verifiable revenue that does not exceed $10,000. Those who are not eligible to compete can participate in the Educational Pathway, which allows access to all educational and mentorship components of the program.
Once accepted into Liftoff Houston, participants attend workshops over a four-month period that cover essential business topics including business planning, marketing, financing, and pitching. Participants also receive additional support from professional mentors from SCORE Houston and Capital One Bank to further refine their business plans (these are required to advance to the final round of the competition).
The event culminates on Pitch Day on November 5, 2022, where three businesses in each contest category are selected to present their business plan to a panel of judges. All who fulfill the requirements of the Educational Pathway receive a certificate of completion.
To apply for Liftoff Houston, go to liftoffhouston.com.
Sandra Fernandez is a professional communicator, tech enthusiast, book lover, and blogger. You can find her main blog at SandraSays.com and more of her writing at HispanicHouston.com.