Whole Foods Market and Teamwork Englewood, an Englewood community based organization, have issued a “Call for Entries” for local small business owners and entrepreneurs with for profit innovative—Englewood tailored—business ideas to participate in the “Englewood Quality of Life Business Plan Competition.” Eligible applicants will compete for a total of $40K in cash prizes that will be awarded to multiple businesses. The Application Deadline is Thursday, August 18, 2016 and applications are online at: www.teamworkenglewood.org.
The competition serves as a kick-start for local entrepreneurs and small business owners with innovative ideas to launch or expand their ventures. Participants are required to create or refine their business plans in preparation to build a viable business that is needed in Englewood. Collaborating business development organizations will provide applicants with pre-competition top-tier business plan creation seminars and coaching.
“This is an opportunity for fledging businesses to ramp-up their game and receive excellent supportive services in addition to having an opportunity to win BIG cash prizes to advance their business,” said Perry Gunn, executive director, Teamwork Englewood. “We seek the best talent with the brightest new ideas from the community to help create a vibrant and sustainable business district in the heart of Englewood.”
The competition was announced during the Englewood Quality of Life Plan II Mid-Point celebration. The competition is presented by the Englewood Quality of Life Plan Jobs and Economic Development Task Force that is charged with identifying emerging businesses that are crucial for building a thriving enterprise zone in Englewood. Task force members along with local business leaders and educators will evaluate applicant submissions. Finalists will participate in a culminating, open to the public, “Pitch Competition” in December that will feature a Blue Ribbon panel of judges. Whole Foods Market, scheduled to open a store this year in the Englewood Square business district at 63rd and Halsted streets, is the lead sponsor and originator of the competition.
Interested applicants were encouraged to attend the Englewood Quality of Life Business Plan Competition Information Session that was held August 11 at Marquette Bank. Additional information can be obtained at: www.teamworkenglewood.org or call: (773) 488-6600.
Competition Collaborators
The Monroe Foundation, Marquette Bank, The Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation, Chatham Business Association, Women’s Business Development Center, SCORE Chicago, The Resurrection Project, The Law Project and Sunshine Enterprises.
About Teamwork Englewood
Teamwork was formed in 2003 as part of the New Communities Program, sponsored by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the MacArthur Foundation. Its goal is to unite the many organizations serving Englewood residents and work toward the common goal of building a stronger community.
Created by St. Bernard Hospital, Greater Englewood Parish United Methodist Church and Pullman Bank Initiatives (a subsidiary of the former Park National Bank), Teamwork Englewood drew input from more than 600 residents to draft a “Quality of Life Plan” – a roadmap to a brighter future for Englewood. For more information, please visit: www.teamworkenglewood.org.