Judges Announced for 2015 Rhode Island Business Plan Competition

PROVIDENCE, RI– The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition, the largest publicly supported business plan competition in New England, today announced its nine-member judging panel for the 2015 competition, which is expected to award prizes approaching $200,000 in value.

“Once again, we are fortunate to have a highly experienced team of business builders who are willing to volunteer as judges,” said Competition Co-Chair Peggy Farrell. “It’s their commitment, along with the support of our sponsors, that enables the competition to continue to foster the next generation of companies in Rhode Island.

Serving as judges are the following:

  • Kim Anderson, founder and president, Ava Anderson Non Toxic
  • Scott DePasquale, chairman and CEO, Utilidata
  • Peggy Farrell, partner, Hinckley Allen
  • Katharine Flynn, executive director, URI Business Engagement Center
  • Andrew Hughes, partner, Locke Lord
  • Anthony Mangiarelli, principal, KLR
  • Ray Mathieu, board director, trustee, and investor
  • Shawn Scott, strategy and brand architect, Focus Vision Media
  • Thorne Sparkman, managing director, Slater Technology Fund

The deadline to apply to the 2015 competition is 5 p.m. on March 30. The judging process will take place during April, with winners to be announced in May at The Garage, a half-day business development event hosted by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

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 at www.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, 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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Avatar About the Author: The Rhode Island Small Business Journal is a printed monthly magazine and an online resource for the aspiring and start-up entrepreneur and small business owner.

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