The Jcda's Business Pitch Competition
Only the first 15 applications will be accepted! Register here.
Open to new and existing businesses in Jefferson County, WV, Jump Start Jefferson is a business pitch contest and educational series, designed to strengthen entrepreneurial growth and success! Participants will attend 6 educational sessions, aimed at providing information and skill development in the areas of finance and budgeting, credit, insurance, advertising and marketing, and business plan construction. Following the educational sessions participants will submit a business plan and pitch before a panel of judges for a prize of $5,000! As a participant, you will gain regional exposure, professional networking opportunities, and educational credits provided by Blue Ridge Community and Technical College.
Disclosures
The Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) reserves the right to use photos prepared for Jump Start Jefferson in publicizing and promoting the event.
Each participant is encouraged to attend the six (6) week education series and pitch rehearsal. Judges will factor attendance into the overall score. To view the judges' scoresheet, please click here.
Each participant certifies that business concepts and other class discussions will be kept confidential and not shared with others during the seven-week class/pitch rehearsal period.
Jump Start Jefferson does not have an entry fee.
Each participant is required to sign and submit a Participant Agreement Form. *
*This form will be provided in the Applicant Packet and should be signed and turned in at the first educational session.
Decisions regarding the competition and winners: the selections of the winner(s) are at the sole discretion of the judges and the decision of the judges is final.
Previous winner(s) of Jump Start Jefferson are not applicable for prizes.
Eligibility Requirements
New Business: Any “new” for-profit business endeavor that is located within Jefferson County, WV. A new business is defined as one that will start up within 120 days after the date of the award.
Existing Business: Existing businesses in Jefferson County, WV who wish to grow their business through new product and service development and plan to implement their expansion project within 120 days after the date of the award.
Contest Winner Requirements / Use Acceptability
To be considered for selection, the participant must submit a business plan via email by 12:00 p.m. on May 29, 2024, and score at least 80/100 points on their overall score (consisting of attendance, physical business plan, and pitch presentation).
Award winner(s) will have a maximum of 120 days (or October 3, 2024) from the award notice to implement their business and start collecting funds. *
*Grant winner(s) must provide their WV Secretary of State Business Registration, along with the Business Signature Page and WV State Tax Business Filing. Existing businesses must provide a certificate of good standing from the WV Tax Department. Winner(s) must present itemized receipts and invoices in order to receive reimbursement. Winner(s) will be required to provide the Jefferson County Development Authority with a W-9 (available from the office), and the winner will be provided a 1099 form for tax filing purposes related to winning funds.
Payroll expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.
Funds must be fully utilized by December 31, 2024, or the funds will be forfeited.
Winner(s) will be asked to sign a Winner Agreement Form. That form can be viewed here.
Tie-Breaker Stipulations
In the event of a tie for the first-place winner, the following factors will be considered to determine a sole winner in the provided order.
1. People’s Pick: If one of the tied participants is the ‘People’s Pick,’ they will be determined as the winner.
2. Perfect Attendance: If one of the tied participants has perfect attendance to all educational sessions and pitch practice, they will be determined as the winner.
3. Business Plan Score: The participant with the higher business plan score will be determined as the winner.
4. Judge’s Discretion: If the previous 3 factors have not determined a winner, it will be up to the discretion of the judges to determine a sole winner.
‘People’s Pick’ Competition
The winner of the ‘People’s Pick’ Competition will receive a prize of $500 courtesy of The Sara Duncan Team.
Participants will be asked to submit a 30-second video describing their business. This submission will be due by May 24, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the competition.
Videos will be hosted on the Jefferson County Development Authority YouTube page and posted on our Facebook page.
A Google Form to vote for the ‘People’s Pick’ will be linked at the bottom of each Facebook post, as well as listed in the YouTube video description. The form will open on May 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. and will close on June 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. The winner will be announced at the final business pitch and reception held on June 5, 2024.
All Educational Sessions and pitch practice will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Jefferson County Public Services Building Conference Room; 1948 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
March 15, 2024: Registration opens at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
April 5, 2024: Registration closes at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
April 17, 2024: Class 1: Intro to Small Business and Business Plan Outline Part 1
April 24, 2024: Class 2: Intro to Small Business and Business Plan Outline Part 2
May 1, 2024: Class 3: Credit: How do YOU Score and How Can You Build It
May 8, 2024: Class 4: Financials: Accounting for Success
May 15, 2024: Class 5: Legals & Insurance
May 22, 2024: Class 6: Marketing, Public Relations, and Advertising
May 29, 2024: Pitch Practice, Business Plans and Pitch Slide Deck (optional) Due at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
June 5, 2024: Pitch Night and Reception
1st Place Contest Winner:
$5,000 reimbursable prize (Sponsored in part by BCT - Bank of Charles Town)
1-year membership in the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and 2 free email blasts
Video/social media marketing package provided by SC Studios
People's Pick:
$500 prize - provided by The Sara Duncan Team
All Participants:
College credits - Provided by Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Rules, Disclosures, and Requirements
Disclosures
The Jefferson County Development Authority (JCDA) reserves the right to use photos prepared for Jump Start Jefferson in publicizing and promoting the event.
Each participant is encouraged to attend the six (6) week education series and pitch rehearsal. Judges will factor attendance into the overall score. To view the judges' scoresheet, please click here.
Each participant certifies that business concepts and other class discussions will be kept confidential and not shared with others during the seven-week class/pitch rehearsal period.
Jump Start Jefferson does not have an entry fee.
Each participant is required to sign and submit a Participant Agreement Form. *
*This form will be provided in the Applicant Packet and should be signed and turned in at the first educational session.
Decisions regarding the competition and winners: the selections of the winner(s) are at the sole discretion of the judges and the decision of the judges is final.
Previous winner(s) of Jump Start Jefferson are not applicable for prizes.
Eligibility Requirements
New Business: Any “new” for-profit business endeavor that is located within Jefferson County, WV. A new business is defined as one that will start up within 120 days after the date of the award.
Existing Business: Existing businesses in Jefferson County, WV who wish to grow their business through new product and service development and plan to implement their expansion project within 120 days after the date of the award.
Contest Winner Requirements / Use Acceptability
To be considered for selection, the participant must submit a business plan via email by 12:00 p.m. on May 29, 2024, and score at least 80/100 points on their overall score (consisting of attendance, physical business plan, and pitch presentation).
Award winner(s) will have a maximum of 120 days (or October 3, 2024) from the award notice to implement their business and start collecting funds. *
*Grant winner(s) must provide their WV Secretary of State Business Registration, along with the Business Signature Page and WV State Tax Business Filing. Existing businesses must provide a certificate of good standing from the WV Tax Department. Winner(s) must present itemized receipts and invoices in order to receive reimbursement. Winner(s) will be required to provide the Jefferson County Development Authority with a W-9 (available from the office), and the winner will be provided a 1099 form for tax filing purposes related to winning funds.
Payroll expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.
Funds must be fully utilized by December 31, 2024, or the funds will be forfeited.
Winner(s) will be asked to sign a Winner Agreement Form. That form can be viewed here.
Tie-Breaker Stipulations
In the event of a tie for the first-place winner, the following factors will be considered to determine a sole winner in the provided order.
1. People’s Pick: If one of the tied participants is the ‘People’s Pick,’ they will be determined as the winner.
2. Perfect Attendance: If one of the tied participants has perfect attendance to all educational sessions and pitch practice, they will be determined as the winner.
3. Business Plan Score: The participant with the higher business plan score will be determined as the winner.
4. Judge’s Discretion: If the previous 3 factors have not determined a winner, it will be up to the discretion of the judges to determine a sole winner.
‘People’s Pick’ Competition
The winner of the ‘People’s Pick’ Competition will receive a prize of $500 courtesy of The Sara Duncan Team.
Participants will be asked to submit a 30-second video describing their business. This submission will be due by May 24, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. to be eligible to participate in the competition.
Videos will be hosted on the Jefferson County Development Authority YouTube page and posted on our Facebook page.
A Google Form to vote for the ‘People’s Pick’ will be linked at the bottom of each Facebook post, as well as listed in the YouTube video description. The form will open on May 29, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. and will close on June 4, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. The winner will be announced at the final business pitch and reception held on June 5, 2024.
Dates
All Educational Sessions and pitch practice will be held at 6:00 p.m. in the Jefferson County Public Services Building Conference Room; 1948 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
March 15, 2024: Registration opens at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
April 5, 2024: Registration closes at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
April 17, 2024: Class 1: Intro to Small Business and Business Plan Outline Part 1
April 24, 2024: Class 2: Intro to Small Business and Business Plan Outline Part 2
May 1, 2024: Class 3: Credit: How do YOU Score and How Can You Build It
May 8, 2024: Class 4: Financials: Accounting for Success
May 15, 2024: Class 5: Legals & Insurance
May 22, 2024: Class 6: Marketing, Public Relations, and Advertising
May 29, 2024: Pitch Practice, Business Plans and Pitch Slide Deck (optional) Due at 12:00 p.m. (noon).
June 5, 2024: Pitch Night and Reception
Prizes
1st Place Contest Winner:
$5,000 reimbursable prize (Sponsored in part by BCT - Bank of Charles Town)
1-year membership in the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and 2 free email blasts
Video/social media marketing package provided by SC Studios
People's Pick:
$500 prize - provided by The Sara Duncan Team
All Participants:
College credits - Provided by Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
Jump Start Jefferson is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors!
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Education Partner |
Official Bank Sponsor |
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Sponsor |
Sponsor |
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People's Pick Sponsor