The 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition is for
Proposed,
Startup &
Existing
Entrepreneurs
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Take Action Now to Apply in January
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$30,000 in Seed Money and In-Kind Prizes -Free Advising & Training & Chance to Win Prize Money
The annual HCC BPC is an opportunity for proposed, startup and existing entrepreneurs to develop focused plans to start or grow their businesses through free advising and training in the competition.
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Competition Timeline
- Apply - January 1-January 30
- Accepted Contestants Notified-February 15
- One-on-One Mentoring & Group Training - Five Free 2-hour Tuesday Evening Training Sessions: 2/26, 3/5, 3/19, 4/2 & 4/16
- Plans Due - May 8
- Finalists Present to Judges - May 23
- Prize Money Awarded and All Teams Celebrated - May 29
T
he greatest prize is the competition mentoring and training that empowers all contestants to develop a strong plan!. A bonus - all contestants receive in-kind prizes!
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Proposed & Startup Entrepreneurs*
* You are considered a Startup if you have not yet achieved 6 continuous months of net profit.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE: Proposed & Startup Applicants who have previously completed one of the following, are NOT required to take the quick online class (CASBP) mentioned below: 1) BUSG 2309 Small Business Management; 2)BUSG 1373/1073/1307 Entrepreneurship & Economic Development; 3) University of Houston SURE program; 4) Houston Area Urban League Small Business University; or 5) Liftoff Houston Competition (completed all Liftoff training sessions and submitted a business plan).
Next:
- Sign up for the quick Creating a Successful Business Plan online class if you need to take it.
- Sign up for 1-day Financial Workshop and attend it on the date: Choose 1/26 OR 2/2
- Submit Competition Application by January 30
- Contestants Chosen for Competition are Announced February 16
- Free Competition Training and Mentoring Begins February 26.
Scroll down for more on the quick class and workshop!
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Creating a Successful Business Plan - Quick Online Class
- The class takes 24 hours of your time online and you have from now through February 22 to finish it.
- Enrollment is open in the class that began on January 16 until January 29. Sign up for the class before you submit your BPC application.
- Apply for the Competition January 1-30.
- Competition Training for accepted contestants starts February 26.
- Takes just three minutes to sign up for the class! Click Here for More Info & to Enroll
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Financial Workshop for Small Business Launch and Growth
For proposed, startup and existing business owners! An all-day workshop that sets you up for success. Know your numbers and plan right for 2019!
Thinking of applying for the 2019 HCC Business Plan Competition? This workshop prepares you to go for it!
- Understanding Cash Needs: Understanding how much money you need; Negotiating to save money - a framework; Collecting money and making a profit; and Forecasting for success.
- Loans: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Understand how much you should borrow; What loan type is best for you; Loan sharks: How to avoid predatory lenders.
- Are You Doing a Good Job? - The basics for measuring your hard work; Importance of understanding your financials; Building a real asset; Connections.
- Financing Panel - Relationships for success. Representatives from Houston's financial entrepreneurial eco-system, including LiftFund, Amegy Bank and Wallis Bank.
Register Now for One of These Dates & Locations:
For those of you applying for the HCC Business Plan Competition during the application period January 1-30, you must sign up for the workshop prior to submitting your application. Complete the workshop before chosen contestant teams are announced on February 15.
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Mix & Mingle BPC Reception Drew 120 Entrepreneurs, Past Contestants, Sponsors and Community Leaders on January 10
Dr. Zachary Hodges, President, HCC Northwest spoke along with competition, leaders, supporters and past contestants & winners. Enthusiasm & inspiration was off the charts!
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Financial Workshop for Small Business Launch & Growth Attracted 48 Proposed, Startup & Existing Entrepreneurs on January 15
Many Are Preparing to Apply for the HCC Business Plan Competition -
Conducted by Rebecca Schulz, the workshop covered cash needs, forecasting for success, measurement for evaluation of business performance and funding. Progressive case study examples aided breakout group discussions throughout the day.
A Funding Panel moderated by HCC Entrepreneur in Residence David Regenbaum closed out the day with lots of Q&A and one-on-one relationship building with the funding panelists: Peter Ellen, Amegy Bank; Lisa Riley, LiftFund; and Orlando Saldana, Wallis Bank.
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Entrepreneur Success Videos
Business Plan Competition Alumni
Helen Callier
PermitUsNow
Alan Barrera
Grass on the Go
Tiffany Williams
Twice Media Productions
Hussain Ali
HD2Menus.com
Sandra Louvier
BPC Director
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How to Apply-2019 HCC BPC
- Entrepreneur Successes:
- Deidre Mathis, Wanderstay
- Megan Eddings, Accel Lifestyle
- 4 Minute Video
Erik Calderon
FLMC Films
"I grew my revenues by $50,000 in the summer following the BPC thanks to the advising, training and plan I brought out of the competition!"
BPC Alumni Survey Results
On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the most favorable, BPC Alumni rated the competition 9.15 in effectiveness in improving their business skills and 9.5 in recommending the competition to a friend or colleague!
"I continue to be thankful for the knowledge gained and the relationships formed! Part of being successful is to learn from situations that don't go as planned. I found this program to be incredibly relevant, informative, and effective! Thank you for this opportunity!"
BPC Alumni Survey Comment
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Become an Advisor - HCC Business Plan Competition
Business advisors play a key role in this working competition through one-on-one advising with a contestant team to vet business assumptions as they move through the competition's group training while developing and refining their plans. Your feedback can guide the entrepreneur to avoid the pitfalls and unproductive tangents and create a focused plan that leads to launch of their plan, funding and growth.
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Become a Sponsor - HCC Business Plan Competition
Join us in empowering entrepreneurs to launch and grow businesses, create jobs and positively impact our economy and our lives. Let's make a difference together!
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About the Center for Entrepreneurship
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The mission of Houston Community College's Center for Entrepreneurship is to provide education and training for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our mission fosters economic growth through business and community development.
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2019 HCC Business Plan Competition Application Deadline
January 30
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Sales & Marketing Powered Up for Small Business Owners
Wednesday January 23
HCC Alief Hayes
3rd Floor A319
8:30 am-4:30 pm
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Income Tax Myths & Facts for Small Business Owners
Saturday February 23
HCC Alief Hayes
3rd Floor A319
10:00am-1:30pm
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