UC Clermont, Clermont Chamber sponsor first business plan competition

Do you live, work or go to school in Clermont County, and have dreams for a new business or product line?

The University of Cincinnati Clermont and the Clermont Chamber of Commerce could help make that dream a reality, and give you a little cash to boot.

The institutions have teamed up for their first-ever business plan competition. The contest is open to both students and members of the community who have an idea for a business, or are in the startup stages of development, said Dr. Jeffrey Bauer, associate professor of management and marketing chair of the college's Business, Law, and Technology Department.

More established companies looking to launch a new product can also enter, Bauer said.

The contest was launched to help spur entrepreneurism in Clermont County and to let aspiring business owners know more about the resources available to support them along the way, organizers said.

"We are looking for ways to extend the reach of college and chamber and engage in community partnerships," Bauer said. "And this is part of the economic development plan for the county."

There are two categories of competition, entrepreneur and student. Participants have until Oct. 15 to submit plans, which will be evaluated by a team comprised of members of the chamber's Small Business Development Center, UC Clermont faculty and competition sponsors.

The competition is open to any type of business idea. Students who enter must either live or attend school in Clermont County. Awards will be as follows: Entrepreneur Category -First Place $5000, Second Place $2500, Third Place $1000 and in the Student Category - First Place $1000, Second Place $500 and Third Place $250.

"It's open to whatever interesting ideas people come up with. It's expected that those who receive the awards would use it for a business within the county," Bauer said.

The college also will be offering a series of free, but optional, business planning classes leading up to the competition deadline. To register for classes, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Batavia campus, call (513)732-5257.

Plans must be submitted to the Clermont Chamber of Commerce. You can get complete contest information here.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Jeffrey Bauer, UC Clermont chair of the college's Business, Law, and Technology Department

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