ANN ARBOR — MiQuest, the combination of the Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest and the Small Business Foundation of Michigan, announced two new venture capital business plan competitions Wednesday.
Venture Drive is a new competition for what MiQuest calls “companies with traction.” In Venture Drive, companies with a vetted business model will be connected with a coach, develop an ambitious one-year vision, identify your roadblocks and find resources to reach the next level of business growth.
Success in this program will be announced on May 7 at Michigan Celebrates Small Business, the state’s largest gala event celebrating entrepreneurship. Participants will showcase your venture at the MiQuest Awards event on May 19 and continue the day with free admission to attend Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, the state’s most prestigious and long-running investor forum.
The top five teams will also receivev $5,000 in cash or a $15,000 micro-loan, a MiQuest Advisory Board for one year, and an exclusive opportunity to join a CEO roundtable.
Registration for Venture Drive begins Friday, Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. and closes Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. To get an email update the moment registration opens, click here.Introductory sessions are strongly recommended for entrepreneurs
interested in participating in Venture Drive. MiQuest Coach and Mentor Advocate and a Certified EOS Implementer, Kevin Suboski will lead 90 minute sessions at the following locations:
* Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Automation Alley, 2675
Bellingham, Troy
* Monday, Oct. 27 frmo 4 to 5:30 p.m. online
* Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 4 to 5:30 at MiQuest, 120 N. Washington Square, Suite 1000A, Lansing, and online.
Also, the Macomb-OU INCubator has announced a new pitch competition. With support from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and local partners, $20,000 in cash and in-kind prizes will be awarded.
Qualified companies must be a Michigan high-growth and technology based company, have earned less than $2.5 million in revenue and have been in business no longer than five years.
Applications are due Tjuesday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. Finalists will be announced Tuesday, Oct. 28. Pitch prep sessions will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 and Thursday, Dec. 4. There will be a live competition Thursday, Dec. 11 from 5 to 8 p.m.