2010 All-Ireland Seedcorn Business Competition close on 17th Sept.
You've dreamed it. You've built it. Now give your business lift-off with the 2010 InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Business Competition.
Nine cash prizes are up for grabs and entrepreneurs compete against each other regionally before competing for the all island Best Emerging and Best High Growth titles.
Every business plan submitted will be reviewed by our investment experts and companies will be given individual feedback, upon request.
Short listed companies will also get a unique opportunity to pitch to investors and business leaders.
Am I eligible?
If you are an early stage company based on the island with a new equity funding requirement you can submit your business plan into our Seedcorn competition to compete for a share of InterTradeIreland's €280,000 cash prize fund.
The competition is open to independent ventures to be incorporated in Ireland or Northern Ireland in the seed, start-up or early stages of business development and ideally targeting international markets. Entrants should have started, manage and own such a venture. Ventures which have already raised external equity in excess of €1m (or sterling equivalent) are not eligible.
Categories
High Growth Company
For companies which have not been in existence for more than five years at Friday 17th September 2010 and have a current new equity requirement of at least €500,000 (or sterling equivalent), which is clearly demonstrated in the business plan. Companies with substantial sales targets are eligible to enter this category. "Substantial sales targets" means cumulative projected sales in excess of €5m (or sterling equivalent) by Year 3, 4 or 5. These sales targets must be shown in the financial projections.
Emerging Company
For companies which have not been in existence for more than three years at Friday 17th September 2010 and have a current new equity requirement of at least €100,000 (or sterling equivalent), which is clearly demonstrated in the business plan. . Companies with cumulative sales targets of less than €5m (or sterling equivalent) by year 3, 4 or 5 are eligible to enter this category. These sales targets must be shown in the financial projections.
Why should I enter?
By entering you will :
• make valuable contacts and get expert help to become investor-ready.
• Accelerate the development of your business idea
• Learn how to pitch your business plan to investors
• Gain exposure with venture capitalists and other investors
• Get feedback on your business plan
• Increase the profile of your business
How do I register?
Register for the competition by clicking on 'register now here' (above or below) before submitting your business plan.
When you register, you will receive an e-mail from us with a dedicated upload reference which you must click on to upload your business plan to us by the closing date.
Closing date
The closing date for receipt of business plans is Friday 17th September at 1pm.
For more information: http://www.intertradeireland.com/index.cfm/area/information/page/Equity%20Seedcorn
