2012 “Dream Big Grow Here” Competition
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
(0 Comments)
Posted by: Kristina Moy
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE August 27, 2012
North Iowa Area Community College John
Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and Eight Surrounding County Economic
Development Centers Announce 2012 "Dream Big Grow Here” Competition
North Iowa Area Community
College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center has partnered with the counties of Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Franklin,
Hancock, Mitchell, Winnebago, Worth and Wright and the University of Northern
Iowa to offer an online contest
worth $15,000 to regional entrepreneurs and small business owners. The
competition begins September 19, 2012.
Contestants can win
cash and gain statewide publicity by competing in one of several online
contests, followed by a statewide Pitch-Off event during the annual EntreFest!
conference.
The Dream
Big Grow Here grant contest is an opportunity for Iowans to fulfill
their dreams of self-employment or expansion of their current firm. Entrants compete online at www.DreamBigGrowHere.com and encourage customers, friends, family, and community members to
vote for them. The winner of each
regional contest receives a $5,000 cash award and a chance to compete for
$10,000 at the state level.
Ten regional contests
are planned for 2012, including the NIACC Pappajohn Center which begins September 19.
To participate,
entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit the website to determine their
eligibility, upload a video, PowerPoint slide show or photographs outlining
their plans during the contestant entry phase, which is September 19 – October
17. The public may vote for them between October 18 and October
31. There will be a pitch-off on Monday, November 12 of the top five vote
getters from 1:00– 4:00 p.m. in the NIACC Pappajohn Business Incubator.
Lead sponsor for Dream
Big Grow Here 2012 is the Iowa Bankers Association. John Sorensen, president and CEO of the Iowa
Bankers Association notes that, "Entrepreneurs and small business owners are
the heart and soul of Iowa’s economy. They provide jobs for thousands of Iowans
and economic growth for our local communities. The Dream Big Grow Here
grants are a terrific way for Iowa banks to help recognize the hard work and
commitment of Iowa’s entrepreneurs.”
Dream Big Grow Here is sponsored by the University of Northern
Iowa MyEntreNet, the Iowa Bankers Association, Renew Rural Iowa, ISU Community
Vitality Center, Iowa Economic Development Authority, VentureNet, Delta Dental
of Iowa and the Technology Association of Iowa.
For more information
on the Dream Big Grow Here competition and for complete rules, go to www.DreamBigGrowHere.com or contact Tim Putnam at putnatim@niacc.edu or 641-422-4192.
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