Entrepreneurs: 5 Reasons Why You Should Enter the Startup Open Competition

Posted by: Thom Ruhe on September 10, 2012 Source: e360 Blog

Startups around the world are vying for a chance to win Global Entrepreneurship Week’s Startup Open Competition. Any entrepreneur who’s had a “startup moment” between GEW 2011 and GEW 2012 (that’s November 22, 2011 to November 18, 2012) can apply. And for this competition, a “startup moment” is defined as anything that can be interpreted as the company being “open for business,” such as a business is incorporated, a first sale is completed or outside funding is secured.

There are only five days left to submit an application and here are my top five reasons—in no particular order—why every entrepreneur who’s eligible should apply:

5. You could win a free trip to Rio de Janeiro . . . which I can tell you from experience is a very cool place to visit if never have been there.
4. You could be recognized as part of “the GEW 50.” This group consists of 50 of the most promising ventures from around the world and this year’s class will compete for a handful of prizes.
3. You could be featured in a Kauffman Foundation animated video Sketchbook. Kauffman’s Sketchbook series has become a one of our organization’s most-watched video series and the exposure of those in each video is incredibly valuable, especially if you’re a cash-strapped startup with a PR budget that’s non-existent. In the vernacular of our youth – that wouldn’t suck.
2. You could receive one full year of mentoring from successful entrepreneurs, including Redbox founding member Michael DeLazzer, courtesy of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. Relationships with entrepreneurs who’ve been successful are priceless.
1. By winning the competition you will participate in one of the most exciting events in entrepreneurship – anywhere in the world! Your rolodex will never be the same and you will only be limited by the connections you make!

These prizes were crafted to help winning companies be more successful and I hope you’ll take a few minutes to complete the online application by September 15, 2012.

Tags:  Startup Open Competition, Global Entrepreneurship Week