Thank you for your interest in participating in CCBC's 12th Annual Business Plan Competition.
Have an idea for a new product, service or business? Submit your business plan to CCBC’s Center for Business Innovation Annual Business Plan Competition (BPC) and you could win up to $20,000 in seed money. A total of $62,500 in seed money will be award to the top 6 winners. The purpose of the competition is to encourage new businesses. The competition is designed to promote start-up ideas and economic development among CCBC students and alumni with the support of faculty and local entrepreneurs.

How is the BPC Organized?

Students and alumni interested in entering the competition must declare your “Intent to Participate” by submitting this short form that simply states you would like to participate in the competition.

• Participants are encouraged to attend 3 business plan workshops focused on developing a strategic plan, a marketing plan and a financial plan as participants work on their business plan.
• A Screening Round is the initial review of plans by CCBC faculty in which the top 12 business plans are selected to advance to the final round.
• The Center for Business Innovation will match the top 12 finalists with mentors who can help prepare the finalists for the final round of the competition.
• The 12 finalists will make their business plan presentations to a panel of judges. The judges will choose the top 6 winning participants. 

 Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to participate in the Business Plan Competition, you or your company must either reside in Maryland or plan to continue to do business from Maryland, and one of the following conditions must be met:
 

• Current or former CCBC students with at least 15 credit hours successfully completed in any discipline within the last five years.
• An alumnus of CCBC who has graduated with a credit degree or credit certificate.
• A non-credit graduate of any program/certificate or apprenticeship program offered by CCBC. (List of programs/certificates that are eligible including Small Business Ownership program.)
• A student in the final year of a non-credit apprenticeship program offered by CCBC.

Those who already have a business started may participate as long as they meet one of the criteria above and are a registered business in good standing with the State of Maryland, have less than $75,000 in revenue, no more than 2 full-time employees and haven’t been in business for more than 3 years.  To check on business status, go to: https://egov.maryland.gov/businessexpress/entitysearch

You can participate individually or as a team. At least one team member must meet the eligibility requirements. The eligible team member must already be either an owner/co-owner of the business or will be an owner/co-owner once the business is launched.
Types of businesses that are not eligible include franchisees, multi-level marketing and network marketing companies such as Amway, Herbalife, Tupperware, Nu Skin, Mary Kay, and other similar companies. Businesses promoting adult products, gambling, pornography or other illicit products that run contrary to the values of CCBC and Maryland laws are also prohibited.

All participants should thoroughly read all disclosures and terms & conditions before applying to the competition. Previous winners of the competition are not eligible.