A regional pitch competition where the founders showcase business ideas to accomplished entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.
Applications for West Central Trailblazer Challenge 2022 will open March 18th, 2022. To get started click the “start today” button to join our contestant list and be the first to know when application and submission portal open up.
A regional pitch competition where the founders showcase business ideas to accomplished entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders.
Applications for West Central Trailblazer Challenge 2022 will open March 18th, 2022. To get started click the “start today” button to join our contestant list and be the first to know when application and submission portal open up.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
You could win $5,000 to develop your idea.
The West Central Business plan competition is open to all West Central, MN resident, entrepreneurs and students with idea for a new company or with any new business or existing business with a new product idea that’s generated less than $1 million in revenue.
There are two divisions of competition with multiple levels of cash prizes. The Adult (18+) Division will have a top prize of up to $5,000, and up to a $2,500 top prize in the Youth Division. “One top finisher in both the youth and adult divisions may be selected to receive automatic semifinalist status in the University of Minnesota’s prestigious MN Cup Startup Competition. Contestants who wish to be eligible for MN Cup must also complete the application for MN Cup before April 13, 2022.
#WCTRAILBLAZERS #LAUNCHMN
YOUTH DIVISION
(9-12th Grade)
This competition is open to all high school students 9 -12th grade in the West Central Region of Minnesota.
Date // April 13th
Time // 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Location // ILT Studios Davidson Opera House, 113 5th Ave S. St. Cloud, MN 56301
ADULT DIVISION
(18+)
This competition is open to anyone that is over the age of 18 in the West Central Region of Minnesota. College students, graduate students, business owners, and corporate employees are eligible to compete in this division.
Date // April 13th
Time // 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location // ILT Studios Davidson Opera House, 113 5th Ave S. St. Cloud, MN 56301
WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE TRAILBLAZERS
The West Central region is committed to advancing new ideas, technologies, innovations and the next generation of business leaders in our community. We want to equip entrepreneurs, students, and innovators to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change while creating more opportities to address the biggest challenges across our communities. This is your opportunity to share your idea and blaze a new trail.
ELGIBILITY
• Submissions must be for a new company or for a business that’s
been incorporated for less than 12 months.
• Teams typically consist of one to four members.
• Each team must designate one student or team member as the team
leader and point-of-contact for the competition.
• Youth teams cannot include non-student members.
• In the case of an existing organization, at least one team member
must be a C-level officer or director of the organization (eg, Executive
Director, CEO, COO, etc) or the majority owner of the business.
• Teams cannot enter more than one business plan/idea into the
competition.
• Teams must reside in the following counties: Becker, Benton, Clay,
Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pope, Sherburne,
Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Wilkin, Wright
All are welcome!
Don’t have experience creating a business plan? No problem!
We’ve partnered with ILT Academy to help! They will supply all finalists with an example pitch deck and entrant outline when you apply to participate. To start the application process: click here.
TIMELINE
Registration Open
18 March 2022
Applicants can apply for competition and receive submission instructions. Click here to indicate your interest in the competition and start your application.
Submission Close
03 April 2022
Teams must submit a 1 page description of their idea and 5 min team video.
Online Judging
04 April 2022
Judges will score submissions in the youth and adult division.
Finalist Announcement
05 April 2022
5 finalist teams will be announced for each division.
Finals
13 April 2022
Finals are a Live Pitch presentation in front of a panel of judges in St. Cloud, MN at ILT Studios Davidson Opera House.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Initiative Foundation
West Central Initiative
Downtown Moorhead Inc.
College of St. Benedict/St. John's University
St. Cloud State University
City of St. Cloud
Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission
Entrepreneurship Center, Concordia College
University of Minnesota, Morris
Get in Touch
One last great reason why you should get in touch with us and here’s how you can
or just email us at hello@iltstudios.com