The Competition provides new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to compete with other new businesses throughout the state. The competition is designed to support future Missouri businesses and communities by cultivating reliable businesses, creating jobs, and stimulating the state’s economic future.

Why participate in the MADE Competition? According to one of the winners from 2011, “You guys were very accommodating, the detail that was required for the application allowed me to solidify my thoughts and ideas of my business. Also the rounds of feedback made sure I got general, detailed and then specific advice and thoughtful consideration on the development of my business…. This competition gives you a chance for a professional to review and better your idea and then you also have the chance to take home something for yourself as well. It’s important for hopefuls that take business seriously to apply because this is like free business mentorship, rare to find.”

Participants start by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas, and are provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. Those who advance to the final round will develop business plans and provide brief business pitches to judges in a simulated investor scenario. Finalists present their finished business plans, products, and services at the Missouri State Fair on August 16, 2012 in Sedalia, Missouri.

Grants will be awarded as startup or operating capital to winners at the State Fair. Judging at all levels will take place behind closed doors, and all information is regarded as confidential and proprietary and will not be shared with outside parties.

Registration is open to any potential business owner or current business owner in Missouri that has been in operation three years or less. There are Youth and Open categories for participation, and people considering going into business for the first time are welcomed. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete.

Application material can be accessed online at http://www.mvcaa.net/index.cfm?Page=MADE with a first round submission deadline of May 31, 2012. Submissions by mail must be postmarked by May 31st, and those by email must be sent by 5:00 p.m. on May 31st.

For more information and to register, go online to
http://www.mvcaa.net/index.cfm?Page=MADE
or contact:
Cheryl Zimny
Community Development Manager
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency
1415 S. Odell
Marshall, MO 65340
Phone: 660-886-7476, ext. 816
Fax: 660-831-5039
Made.mvcaa@gmail.com.

About MADE:
The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is a coalition of a diverse group of organizations, technical assistance professionals, university, federal and state departments, entrepreneurs and other professionals. The guiding purpose behind its creation was the integration of a coalition dedicated to cultivating entrepreneurship in Missouri by assisting entrepreneurs in creating, financing and managing their new businesses and effecting an environment which supports them. The Alliance is facilitated by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Missouri.

This project is funded 100 percent at $15,000 with federal funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division.

News Source: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

All participants started by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas including the impact their business would have on their community and were provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. The finalists presented their finished business plans, products, and services in a trade show and presentation format for the judges at the Missouri State Fair on August 18, 2011 in Sedalia, Missouri.

Certificates and awards were given out to the winners in each of the two classes, Open and Youth. In the Open class the first place winner is Brent Woodside from Sedalia with Sketch You as a Fantasy Character. The second place winner is Richard Lillard, Jill Lillard and Deb Middleton from Jefferson City with Lifesong for Growth and Wellness. The third place winner is Kate Tary from High Point with Nanner Designs. In the Youth class Courtney Brown from Tina and Kami Nelson from Hale with Cowgirl Angelic Accessories took first place. Brandon Banks of Troy with Spot Light Stars took second place. Third place went to Rhiannon Finley, Mallory Early and other students from Leeton with Bulldog Express.

About MADE:
The Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship (MADE) is comprised of members from several state agencies and USDA Rural Development and is facilitated by Missouri Valley Community Action Agency of Marshall, Missouri, a not-for-profit organization.

This project/program is funded in whole/or part with federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. The funds received from the Family Support Division are all federally funded.

News Source: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The Competition provides new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to put their business ideas up against others throughout the state and grow their ventures. The competition is designed to support Missouri communities and its residents by cultivating reliable businesses, creating jobs, and stimulating the state’s economic future.

Participants started by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas, and were provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. Finalists will present their finished business plans, products, and services at the Missouri State Fair on August 18, 2011 in Sedalia, Missouri. Mini-grants will be awarded as startup/operating capital to winners at the State Fair. The free event is held in the Lowell Mohler Assembly Hall with the show case open all day and the awards ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come meet the new entrepreneurs and learn about their businesses.

Finalists in the 2011 MADE in Missouri State Entrepreneurship Competition are Azure Consulting and Advocacy (Cheryl Tietjens) from Brookfield; Bulldog Express (Rhiannon Finley and others) from Leeton; Cowgirl Angelic Accessories (Courtney Brown and Kami Nelson) from Chillicothe; Lifesong for Growth & Wellness (Richard Lillard, Psy.D.; Jill Lillard, MA, LPC; and Deborah Middleton, LCSW, ACSW) from Jefferson City; Nanner Designs (Kate Tary) from High Ridge; Sketch You as a Fantasy Character (Brent Woodside) from Sedalia and Spot Light Stars (Brandon Banks) from Troy.

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 located in Marshall, MO.

This project/program is funded in whole/or part with federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. The funds received from the Family Support Division are all federally funded.

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency, 1415 S. Odell, Marshall, MO 65340; Phone: 660-886-7476.

News Source: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The Competition provides new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to put their business ideas up against others throughout the state and grow their ventures. The competition is designed to support Missouri communities by cultivating reliable businesses, creating jobs, and stimulating the state’s economic future.

Participants start by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas, and are provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. Those who advance to the intermediate level will develop business plans and provide brief business pitches to judges in a simulated investor scenario. Finalists at level three will present their finished business plans, products, and services in one last round at the Missouri State Fair on August 18, 2011 in Sedalia, Missouri.

Cash grants will be awarded as startup/operating capital to winners of the final round during the State Fair. Judging at all levels will take place behind closed doors, and all information is regarded as confidential and proprietary and will not be shared with outside parties.

Registration is open to any potential business owner or current business owner in operation three years or less. There are Youth and Open categories for participation, and people considering going into business for the first time are welcomed. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete. Electronic submissions for the preliminary level are due by 5:00 p.m. April 29, 2011. Judging of the first round will occur the first week of May and participants will be notified of the results by May 13, 2011.

For more information go online to http://www.mvcaa.net/index.cfm?Page=MADE or contact
Cheryl Zimny
Community Development Manager
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency
1415 S. Odell
Marshall, MO 65340
Phone: 660-886-7476; Fax: 660-886-5868
zimnyc@mvcaa.net .

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.

News Source: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source by Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®. View all current news at: http://Send2PressNewswire.com .

The due date, originally set for April 10th, is extended to garner additional participation, assist more entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas, and provide the opportunity for investment capital to more Missouri businesses.

The competition will provide new and potential business owners in Missouri an opportunity to put their business ideas up against others throughout the state and grow their ventures. The competition is designed to support Missouri communities by cultivating reliable businesses, creating jobs, and stimulating the state’s economic future.

Participants start by answering a questionnaire about their business ideas, and are provided with tips and suggestions on how to make their businesses better in the first round. Those who advance to the intermediate level will develop business plans and provide brief business pitches to judges in a simulated investor scenario. Finalists at level three will present their finished business plans, products, and services in one last round at the Missouri State Fair on August 19th, 2010 in Sedalia, Missouri.

Cash prizes will be awarded as startup/operating capital to winners at the State Fair, as well as prize trophies. Judging at all levels will take place behind closed doors, and all information is regarded as confidential and proprietary and will not be shared with outside parties.

Registration is open to any potential business owner or current business owner in operation three years or less. There are Youth and Open categories for participation, and people considering going into business for the first time are welcomed. Participants do not have to be in business yet to compete.

Submissions for the preliminary level are due May 8th, 2010. Submissions by mail must be postmarked by May 8th, and those by email must be sent by 5:00 p.m. on May 8th.

For more information and to register, go online to www.mvcaa.net/made.php – or contact:
Cheryl Zimny
Community Development Manager
Missouri Valley Community Action Agency
1415 S. Odell
Marshall, MO 65340
660-886-7476
Fx: 660-886-5868
zimnyc @ mvcaa.net .

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.

News Source: Missouri Alliance for the Development of Entrepreneurship :: This press release was issued by Send2Press® and is Copyright © 2010 Neotrope® News Network – all rights reserved.