Looking for the “WriteIdea”
9/30/2008
by Shelly Weaver, E-Magnify Staff

Calling all entrepreneurs. WriteIdea is looking for the best of the best in the world of business plans. WriteIdea is designed to encourage entrepreneurial thinkers in our community to produce a business plan that is ready to implement. The competition will bring together regional plans in the provided categories exploring the development of young companies. A handful of entrepreneurs will receive cash prizes of $5,000 each, totaling $25,000 to help with start-up costs or the capital to help bring their business to the next level. 

The process is simple. Log onto e-magnify.com/writeidea and submit your application. Deadline for applications is Oct. 31. Applicants need to provide a brief executive summary of their business plan idea and some pertinent business information. You can then begin developing your plan and be eligible for the prizes that will allow you to grow your future.

The ultimate outcome is to help the region to learn more about entrepreneurship and to collaborate with successful businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Companies and the Keystone Innovation Zones in Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties are teaming to bring WriteIdea to those entrepreneurs who have a start-up business (in business less than two years as of January 30, 2009) and have sales of less than $100,000.

“We are pleased to join forces with our partners State Farm and the Keystone Innovation Zones to renew the tradition of WriteIdea to further grow the number of women entrepreneurs in our market area,” said Jayne H. Huston, Director, Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify. “This initiative will certainly contribute to the stimulating of southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy.”

Applicants who need assistance in preparing their business plans are encouraged to contact Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify at 724-830-4625 or email at info@e-magnify.com.

For more information about the Greene County KIZ, contact Don Chappel at donchappel@gcidc.org. Greene County categories include information technology, energy, and homeland security

For more information about the Westmoreland County KIZ, contact Donna Bates at dbates@egcw.org. Westmoreland County categories include information technology, bio-medical and life sciences, advanced materials, and diversified manufacturing

For more information about the Washington/Fayette Counties KIZ, Contact Joe Podolinski at joep@faypennstate.org. Washington/Fayette categories include information technology, defense, and Energy 

“The Business Plan Competition is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas,” said Donna Bates, Westmoreland Keystone Innovation Zone Coordinator. “Our partnership with E-Magnify, the Greene KIZ and the Fayette / Washington KIZ has brought together a number of resources for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses to access. 

“I look forward to receiving plans for our target industries of advanced materials and diversified manufacturing, bio-medical and life sciences, and information technology.”     

The competition will be judged by a panel of representatives from Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties that will review each entry for innovation, employment capability, a management plan, high growth potential, and overall viability. The deadline to submit executive summary is Oct. 31, 2008 while final plans must be postmarked by Jan. 30, 2009.

Former Business Plan Winner Had WriteIdea
Amy Veltri is an entrepreneur in all senses of the word. Veltri had the right idea to start a new business with growth potential and used the WriteIdea business plan completion presented by E-Magnify as a springboard. Bitten by the proverbial entrepreneurial bug following a lack of advancement opportunity, Veltri has the unique perspective of being a woman-owned business owner in a highly dominated male field.

Veltri’s previous professional experience included being responsible for managing a staff of several junior technical personnel and securing and managing over $1 million annually in project work. As a successful business owner, she has far surpassed the competition, by increasing her company’s gross revenues from $50,000 less than three years ago to approximately $800,000 in 2004.

The WriteIdea business plan competition applications deadline is almost here! Call 724.830.4625 for more details or click here for your application now

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