ENTREPRENEURS TEAM UP AND COMPETE IN CAREERSOURCE CAPITAL REGION’S STARTUP QUEST COMPETITION
The competition will award winning teams with more than $20,000 in cash and in-kind prizes
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – CareerSource Capital Region’s Startup Quest® teams are finalizing the pinnacle project of their 10-session entrepreneurial training, the Business Plan and Pitch Competition. A panel of community leaders and entrepreneurs acting as simulated investors will hear each of the 9 teams’ pitches as they compete for more than $20,000 in cash and in-kind prizes.
Startup Quest® is a nationally recognized entrepreneurship training program that connects teams of qualified participants with successful entrepreneurs to learn the steps needed to transform an invention or discovery into a product for the marketplace — giving these professionals the training and skills to become entrepreneurs or bring their new entrepreneurial skills to an existing company.
This program has prepared participants not only for the pitch day competition but for the entrepreneurial world and future career prospects.
“The Startup Quest® program has given participants entrepreneurial skills that will empower them to take ownership of their future careers,” said Kara Palmer, regional project manager. “The 10-session program gives participants a hands-on approach to business success, from corporate structure to building a solid revenue model.”
“I was initially drawn to Startup Quest® for the mentoring and volunteer opportunity, said Brian Ramos, Startup Quest® Mentor and Principal/Chief Marketing Officer at The Pod Advertising.
“My team has been a great group of individuals that I now consider friends. I did not expect to have as much fun or get as jazzed up about bringing a technology to market for my alma mater - Florida State University. This program benefits all involved.”
Each of the participating teams has created a business plan for a technology that was developed at a university or NASA federal laboratory. These technologies included; a lightweight, elastic and conductive nano carbon foam from Florida State University, a revolutionary non-invasive, low cost and portable glucose monitoring system from the University of Central Florida and a fast single camera system for real-time monitoring of driver fatigue from University of Central Florida. The team plans include each step necessary to take the product to market.
Startup Quest® participant Markeshia Luree Gorden said that Startup Quest® provided her with a greater understanding of entrepreneurship and business startup knowledge and skills.
“I’ve learned the importance of a management team and how crucial they are to a startup and the continual process of a business. I learned where my business fits in the industry, how to market it effectively, where to find funding, how to develop and manage a financial plan, and most definitely, how to pitch my business or product idea to a potential investor,” said Gorden. “I absolutely love that part.”
The competition will be held at Florida State University’s Turnbull Conference Center on Friday, April 24. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and the pitch competition will run from 1:00-3:30 p.m., with the winning teams being announced at 4:30 p.m. To learn more about Startup Quest®, email [email protected]. Participants and mentors will be available for media interviews following their presentations.