2015 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition to Award $200,000 in Prizes

PROVIDENCE, RI–  The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition, the largest publicly supported business plan competition in New England, today announced that it will award prizes valued at $200,000 when winners are named in May.

The announcement was made in advance of the March 30 deadline to apply to the competition.

 The prizes—cash and in-kind services—are provided by 56 sponsors, representing a broad cross-section of Rhode Island organizations. Included are 11 banks and investors, seven colleges and universities, and a cross-section of advisory, construction, insurance, health-related, software, retail, professional services firms, and other businesses, including ShapeUp, a former winner of the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition that has become a thriving company based in Providence.

 Competition Co-Chair Anthony Mangiarelli, partner with the KLR accounting firm, said, “By supporting the competition, the Rhode Island business community demonstrates a strong commitment to nurturing the next generation of local growth companies. On behalf of everyone competing this year, I extend a heartfelt thanks.”

 Co-chair Peggy Farrell, partner in the law of firm of Hinckley, Allen, acknowledged the Competition’s Development Committee led by Richard Carriere, senior vice president at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, which secured the sponsorships: “The members of our development team are the unsung heroes. They have been working since last summer to make this year’s competition another success.”

 Serving on the committee were: Larry Davidson, principal, KLR; Sergio Ferreira, Startup Weekend Providence; Katharine Flynn, executive director, URI Business Engagement Center; Andrew Hughes, partner, Locke Lord; Ray Mathieu, board director, trustee, and private investor; Shawn Scott, strategy and brand architect, Focus Vision Media; Jennifer Schwall, executive director, Cherrystone Angel Group; Rick Wilkins, consultant; as well as Farrell and Mangiarelli.

 Winners of the 2015 competition will be announced at a public event in May.

 The competition is open to anyone with an innovative business plan. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must agree to use winnings to establish or expand a business in Rhode Island. Complete competition information, including rules, application procedures, guidelines, and business plan resources, is available atwww.ri-bizplan.com.

 Sponsors of the 2015 Competition

 Lead sponsors of the 2015 Competition are Cumulus Media-Providence, Embolden, Focus Vision Media, Hinckley Allen, KLR, Locke Lord, and the Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund.

 Also supporting the Competition are Ava Anderson Non Toxic, Bank of America, Brown University, Bryant University, Center for Women and Enterprise, Envision Technology Advisors, FM Global, Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, Hatch Entrepreneurial Center, Johnson & Wales University, Providence Business News, Roger Williams University, Slater Technology Fund, University of Rhode Island, and Utilidata.

 Additional supporters include Bank Rhode Island, Business Development Company, Care New England, Centreville Bank, Cherrystone Angel Group, Citizens Bank, Deepwater Wind, Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Dimeo Construction Company, Gencorp Insurance Group, Gilbane, GTECH, The Moore Company, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, Navigant Credit Union, Nortek, Rhode Island Student Loan Authority, Santander Bank, ShapeUp, Teknor Apex, The Washington Trust Company, and Ximedica.

 Additional support is provided by AAA Southern New England, Bank Newport, Betaspring, Biomedical Structures, Community College of Rhode Island, CVS Health, Freedom National Bank, Hayes & Sherry Real Estate Services, InsureMyTrip.com, Rhode Island College, Starkweather & Shepley, and Tech Collective.

 About the Competition

 Established in 2000, the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition has been recognized as one of the top 40 business plan competitions in the country. To date, it has awarded more than $1.6 million in prizes to competitors emerging companies across many industries.

In addition to awarding prizes, the competition hosts educational events in the months leading up to the application deadline, including business plan writing and presentation skills workshops. In addition, the competition hosts the annual Rhode Island Elevator Pitch Contest. Complete competition information, including rules, application procedures, guidelines, and business plan resources, is available at www.ri-bizplan.com.

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