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FAQ

TAKE A CHANCE! Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition will take place September 6th, 2024 at the Gem Theater in Detroit.

TAKE A CHANCE! Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition Eligibility Criteria:

• Participants must be residents of the state of Michigan for at least one year prior to April 1, 2024.
• The company’s product and/or service must have been conceived no earlier than April 1, 2022.
• Each company may only enter one TAKE A CHANCE! Pitch Competition Category.
• Founders of the company applying must retain some portion of ownership in the company.
• The Company must not have raised over five million dollars in funding from combined funding sources.
• Startups should be legally registered and compliant with all relevant regulations and laws in their
respective jurisdictions.
• The product or service must fall into one of the TAKE A CHANCE! Entrepreneurial Pitch Competition
categories
• All entries must be submitted by the specified deadline to be considered for the competition.

Application Deadlines:

Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 at 11:59 ET

Submission Requirements:

  1. A comprehensive business plan outlining the venture’s concept, target market, revenue model, marketing strategy, financial projections, and operation plan.

  2. Proof of Michigan residency for at least one year (e.g., driver’s license, utility bills, or other relevant documentation).

  3. Purchase a copy of TAKE A CHANCE! Hardcover book by Larry Gaynor.

  4. Complete the online application by the deadline.

Judging Criteria:

1. Innovation and Feasibility (30%)

  • Uniqueness and creativity of the business concept

  • Market research and validation of the venture’s feasibility

2. Market Viability (25%)

  • Identification and understanding of the target market

  • Competitive analysis and positioning

3. Execution Plan (20%)

  • Detailed operational plan outlining how the venture will be brought to life

  • Timeline for implementation

4. Financial Viability (15%)

  • Realistic financial projections

  • Clear revenue model and cost structure

5. Impact on Michigan (10%)

  • How the venture will positively impact the local community and economy

Timeline:

March 1:
Competition open for entries, featured in dBusiness March/April issue and Hour Media
newsletters and email blasts
May 1:
Featured in dBusiness May/June and Hour Media newsletters and email blasts
May 31:
Competition entries deadline at 11:59 ET
July 15:
Finalists alerted
September 1:
Finalists mentioned in dBusiness and last mention of the event for tickets
September 6:
Pitch event at the Gem theater 8:30A – 11:30A
November 1:
Winners featured in the November/December dBusiness issue

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