The Pottsville Area Development Corporation (PADCO) and its partners announced earlier this month that the Launch Pottsville competition is moving it's next phase.
Launch Pottsville is a business plan contest targeting the Strategic Redevelopment Area in downtown Pottsville, as outlined by the Strategic Plan created through the Continued Progress Project in 2018.
PADCO announced that 15 total applications were received for the Launch Pottsville competition, which was originally scheduled for 2020 and delayed an entire year.
Out of those 15 applications, 11 were accepted to begin Phase 1 of the competition. The plans laid out for the competition include business models in the fields of hospitality, education, events, the arts, and social entertainment.
After interviews with their six judges, all 11 applicants were moved to Phase 2. During Phase 2 of the competition, future entrepreneurs have been paired with local business mentors who will help them further develop a full business plan, financial projections, and identify potential real estate.
PADCO hosted a seminar last week on the 2nd floor of Union Station in the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce/SEDCO meeting room at 1 Progress Circle, Pottsville, PA 17901.
The first seminar was on Business Plan Writing and Financial Forecasting
A second seminar will be on Finalizing Your Business Plan, Personal Finance, and Real Estate and will be held Wednesday, January 19th from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. The seminars will also include guest speakers who will offer value to any entrepreneur.
The seminars are free and open to the public, not just Launch Pottsville competitors.
Phase 3 will include a final presentation in a “Shark Tank”-like style on April 28th at the Pottsville YMCA and will be a ticketed event.
Phase 3 will include a final presentation in a “Shark Tank”-like style on April 28th at the Pottsville YMCA and will be a ticketed event.
Over the course of the next few months the public will have the opportunity to meet the inspiring entrepreneurs through interviews on social media. At the final presentation, contestants will be competing for $150,000+ in startup funding plus pro bono goods and services to jumpstart their business in downtown Pottsville. PADCO anticipates that the winning businesses will be up and running by the end of 2022!
Launch Pottsville would not be possible without the help from its sponsors: Pottsville Area Development Corporation, Pottsville Redevelopment Authority, the Continued Progress Project, M&T Bank, and Riverview Bank.
Launch Pottsville would not be possible without the help from its sponsors: Pottsville Area Development Corporation, Pottsville Redevelopment Authority, the Continued Progress Project, M&T Bank, and Riverview Bank.