Competitors sought for Startup Rochester

Entrants do not have to be Rochester residents

The deadline to apply for the 2013 Startup Rochester Business Competition is Friday, May 10, and judging will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 6.

The competition — a collaboration of the Rochester Economic Development Department and abi Innovation Hub — remains open to competitors around the state. The winning business plan will receive a $10,000 cash prize plus over $7,500 of in-kind services.

The competition is open to for-profit, technology-focused businesses, formed no more than five years prior to the deadline for the application, and have not raised more than $100,000 in funding from unaffiliated parties, and as of the time of the application have not had revenues exceeding $100,000 annually.

The judging will be a “Shark Tank”-like event, with finalists asked to make their pitch before an audience.

The competition will identify startup companies, provide contestants with the opportunity to be found by potential venture investors as well as by customers.

Following the competition, qualified applicants may be invited to participate in a startup accelerator program run by abi, which will provide expert advice and access to resources to help grow their business.

There is no application fee and entrants do not have to be Rochester residents. Along with the application, each contestant must submit a maximum five-page business plan.

Presenting Sponsor of the event is Bank of New Hampshire. Supporting sponsors are Albany International, Federal Savings Bank, Thompson Investment Casting, SEDC, Pixel Media and Profile Bank.

For more information, contact the economic development office at 603- 335-7522 or click on the Library tab at ThinkRochester.biz.