State Business Competition is a Success, Prepares to Launch for Next Year

MARSHALL, Mo. (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship held the final level of the Inaugural 2010 MADE In Missouri State Entrepreneurship Competition on August 19th, 2010 in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall at the Missouri State Fair. Five winners from ten finalists were named, and each received a cash price and certificate for placing, with over 100 in attendance.

In the Open Category, First Place went to K-9 Achievement Center of Centertown, a revolutionary dog-training and police-dog facility. Madhatterr Games Presents… of Lamar, a company specializing in online, supernatural-fantasy gaming, took Second. Kaitlynn’s, a restaurant specializing in cheesecake and dessert in Brunswick, won Third Place.

In the Youth Category, two projects made it to the State Level. First place went to Holdems Company, owned by KD and Becca Burkhart of Keytesville. Holdems offers wire-based products like tomato cages and sports equipment. Second place went to Nick’s Glycerin Soaps of Blue Springs, an allergy-free soap company run by Nickolaus Dungy.

The MADE In Missouri State Entrepreneurship Competition is an economic development project that provides new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to put their business ideas up against others throughout the state. The State Level was the last of three phases in the competition. Businesses competed using a business plan and a 20-minute presentation to judges consisting of business professionals and technical assistance specialists. The competition also included a trade show-open free to the public-which highlighted finalists’ wares and accomplishments. Winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony that afternoon with Senator James Mathewson as Master of Ceremonies.

“I’m pretty speechless,” says Alena, the business manager for K-9 Achievement. “We are overwhelmingly grateful. We [she and her husband Michael] have been dreaming of being in business together since high school, and that dream never went away. Winning this competition is a blessing for us. We’re very excited!”

First, Second, and Third Place cash prizes in both categories were $2500, $1500, and $1000, respectively. All participants, regardless of placement, are also provided continuing support from technical assistance professionals beyond the competition.

As the new businesses prepare for their next phases, MADE Allies are now looking toward next year. “It has been wonderful seeing how these businesses have benefited through this process,” says Cheryl Zimny, Project Manager for MADE. “We anticipate an even larger number next year.” As she makes notes on evaluation documents, she adds, “We already have a school that is encouraging all their students to participate next year!” Drafts for Preliminary Level Criteria in the 2011 Competition are currently available at the agency Web site.

For questions or more information, go online to http://www.mvcaa.net/index.cfm?Page=MADE or contact Cheryl Zimny at 660-886-7476, x816.

The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is a project facilitated by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Missouri, a not-for-profit organization.

Plain text copy of press release (and media contact)

PDF copy of press release (and media contact)


STORY REFERENCES: State Business Competition is a Success, Prepares to Launch for Next Year, The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship, MADE, Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Inaugural 2010 MADE In Missouri State Entrepreneurship Competition, Cheryl Zimny, K-9 Achievement Center of Centertown, a revolutionary dog-training and police-dog facility

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