Accelerate  Your Business

To obtain additional Contest information, place your cursor over top of the magnifying glass icon.   

• Contestants may opt to participate in the activities listed in this column.
• Contestants are required to attend events / activities listed in this column.
• Contestants are encouraged to participate in the events / activities listed in this column.
• Contest Kick-off Event June 1, 2010 11:30 - 12:00 (location TBA): Receive important contest information and network with mentors
• Workshop 1: The Executive Summary June 1, 2010 12:30-1:30 (location TBA): Join us immediately following the Kick-off Event for a short workshop on creating an effective Executive Summary. Contestants are required to submit the Executive Summary, Contest Contracts & Eligibility Forms by Noon on June 17, 2010.
• Mentoring Sessions June 7-11, 2010: Contestants may opt to make an appointment with a mentor to discuss their Business Plan. To make an appointment, email the Contest Administrator and reference “OPTIONAL MENTOR APPOINTMENT REQUEST #1” within the subject line.
• Due Date 1: June 17, 2010: Contestants are required to submit the Executive Summary, Contest Contracts & Eligibility Forms by Noon. Submissions should be in PDF format and sent to the Contest Administrator. Please make sure to reference “REGISTRATION & EXECUTIVE SUMMARY” within the subject line.
• Optional Bypass: At the discretion of Rock County Development Alliance, contestants may bypass various Contest phases. For additional information or to formally request this option, please email the Contest Administrator and reference “CONTEST BYPASS OPTION” within the subject line.
• Workshop 2: Conducting a Market Analysis June 29, 2010 11:00 – 12:30 (location TBA):  Join us for a hands-on workshop on conducting a Market Analysis.  Contestants are required to submit their Preliminary Market Analysis by Noon (12:00 PM) on July 22, 2010.
• Required Mentoring Session 1: Meet with a mentor to discuss your Business Plan in preparation for the Preliminary Market Analysis submission.  To make an appointment, email the Contest Administrator and reference “REQUIRED MENTOR APPOINTMENT REQUEST #1” within the subject line.
•  Due Date 2: July 22, 2010: Contestants are required to submit a Preliminary Market Analysis by Noon.  Submissions should be in PDF format and sent to the Contest Administrator. Please make sure to reference “PRELIMINARY MARKET ANALYSIS” within the subject line.
• Workshop 3: Financial Proformas July 27, 2010 11-12:30 (location TBD):  Join us for a hands-on Financial Proformas workshop.  Contestants are required to submit the Preliminary Financial Proformas by Noon on August 19, 2010.
• Required Mentoring Session 2: Meet with a mentor to discuss your Business Plan and prepare for the Preliminary Financial Proformas submission. To make an appointment, email the Contest Administrator and reference “REQUIRED MENTOR APPOINTMENT REQUEST #2” within the subject line.
• Due Date 3 August 19, 2010: Contestants are required to submit a Preliminary Financial Proformas in order to remain eligible for contest participation.  Submissions should be in PDF format and send to the Contest Administrator. Please make sure to reference “Preliminary Financial Proformas” within the subject line.
• Workshop 4: Compiling Your Business Plan August 24, 2010 (location TBA): Join us for a hands-on workshop on Compiling a Business Plan. Contestants are required to submit the Final Business Plan by Noon on September 24, 2010.
• Required Mentoring Session 2.  Meet with a mentor to discuss your Business Plan in preparation for the Final Business Plan submission.  To make an appointment, email the Contest Administrator and reference “REQUIRED MENTOR APPOINTMENT REQUEST #3”within the subject line.
• September Mentoring Sessions: September 6-10, 2010: Contestants may opt to make a final mentoring appointment to discuss their Business Plan before officially submitting it. To make an appointment, email the Contest Administrator and reference “OPTIONAL MENTOR APPOINTMENT REQUEST #2” within the subject line.
• Due Date 4 September 16, 2010: Contestants are required to submit their Final Business Plan by Noon. Submissions should be in .PDF format and sent to the Contest Administrator. Please make sure to reference “FINAL BUSINESS PLAN” within the subject line
• Finalist Interviews October 4-8, 2010: Potential Contest winners are required to participate in these interviews. The Contest Administrator will notify the contestants and coordinate these interviews.
• Workshop 5: Presenting Your Plan to Investors October 12, 2010 11:00 -12:30 (location TBA): Join us for a hands-on workshop on presenting your Business Plan to potential investors, banks, etc.
• Accelerate Your Business Plan Contest Awards Event October 21, 2010 (location and time TBA).