Details about Start It Up Challenge

Who is eligible

If you're familiar with other business plan competitions, you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that "Start It Up" (SIU) is open to all United States residents, age 18 or older. Individuals or teams with a maximum of five members are eligible to compete. Participants do not have to be students or alumni of a certain college, nor must they be residents of the city of Fresno. All that's required is an innovative concept, a well-written business plan, and the desire to win!

Business Plan Criteria

Business plans may only be submitted for businesses two years old or newer (according to the company's founded date). They will be reviewed and judged according to these criteria:

• Quality of product(s), service(s) and/or solution(s)
• Market opportunities and competition
• Entrant(s) qualifications
• Overall attractiveness of the venture
• Does the business align with one of the 12 clusters identified by the Regional Jobs Initiative as having strong potential for growth and diversification of the economy (www.fresnoedc.com/businessservices/rji.php)
• Does the business have strong potential for growth and diversification of the Central Valley's economy

Grand Prize

One of the things that make Fresno's Start It Up $250K Entrepreneur Challenge so unique, compared to other business plan competitions worldwide, is its "winner take all" approach. One person will walk away with the entire $250,000 prize - $100,000 in cash plus $150,000 in in-kind support (i.e. office furniture, professional services, office equipment, etc.).

Travel Accommodations

Roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations (up to three nights) will be provided to all top 10 Start It Up finalists.

Judges

The top 10 finalists will present their business plans to a distinguished panel of judges.

Rules and Regulations

Click here to download a copy of the competition Rules and Regulations