Prize package increased to $40,000
HOULTON, Maine — The 2017 Houlton Entrepreneur Challenge officially kicks off with the “Ignite The Spark” event on Wednesday, May 17, from 6-7 p.m. at the Houlton Higher Education Center.
The “Ignite The Spark” event is an information night to give people interested in taking part in the Challenge some inspiration and details on how the program will be run. There will be a panel discussion featuring local entrepreneurs sharing their stories and experiences to inspire those present to ignite their own spark to move forward with their business idea. Participants will learn about selection criteria and hear tips for being a successful contestant in the Entrepreneur Challenge.
New features added for this round of the Entrepreneur Challenge include one-on-one coaching sessions that are being offered on May 31 and June 1. Those interested in talking through their business idea can sign up to meet with mentor teams of experienced business people. These informal sessions will allow the contestants to discuss their ideas with the mentors. The mentors will evaluate and recommend any additional assistance and resources that would be beneficial to the contestant as they proceed through the Challenge.
The prize package for the Entrepreneur Challenge has been increased to $40,000. This includes a forgivable loan of up to $30,000. Several of the Financial Partners have contributed toward the prize for the second round. There will again be several business service prizes offered to the winner.
There is no charge for the “Ignite The Spark” event or the coaching sessions, but registration is required. Register by Monday, May 15, by contacting Nancy Ketch at 521-5938 or comm.development@houlton-maine.com, or by visiting www.sadcaroostook.com.
The Houlton Entrepreneur Challenge is a collaborative effort of the Town of Houlton and the Southern Aroostook Development Corporation. For further information visit the town’s web site at www.houlton-maine.com or SADC’s web site at www.sadcaroostook.org, or call Ketch at 521-5938 or Jon McLaughlin, SADC executive director, at 521-0157.
