Contest Rules
The Contest is FREE to enter and open to all new or existing small businesses operating in British Columbia, Canada.
Definitions:
- Business Start-up: Business start-up is defined as one in the pre-start phase of business or has been in business for a maximum of 24 months as of December 16th, 2008.
- Business Growth: Business growth is defined as one that has been in operation for a minimum of 25 months as of December 16th, 2008.
- Small Business: A small business is defined as one with fewer than 50 employees, or a business operated by a person who is self-employed, without paid help.
- Participants: Participants are individuals who have submitted business plans before 12:00 noon - December 16, 2008. Participants submitting a business plan must be for a small business.
- Judging Panel: The Judging Panel composed of appointed business representatives from Small Business BC and industry professionals will review all submissions that meet the eligibility requirements and select the top three business plans in each of the following two categories: Start-up and Expansion Business.
- Organizer: Small Business BC.
Contest Eligibility:
- All Participants must be starting or growing a small business in British Columbia, Canada.
- All Participants must submit a business plan before 12:00 noon on Monday December 16, 2008.
- Plans may be submitted in either official language (English or French).
- The business plan must be written by the owner or partner of the business.
Contest Period:
- The contest will begin on September 16, 2008 and continue until 12:00 p.m. (noon) December 16, 2008.
Contest Rules:
- All staff members of the Organizer are not eligible for the Contest.
- All Participants must be eligible to enter the Contest.
- The deadline for all submissions is December 16, 2008 at 12:00pm (noon).
- All submissions will be categorized as either a start-up or growth business. The Organizer reserves the right to make all final decisions regarding if the submitted plan is considered a start-up or growth business.
- The Organizer reserves the right to update the Rules of the Contest at any time and will do their best to keep Participants informed of changes but it is ultimately the responsibility of each and every Participant to be aware of any updates.
- Successful Participants understand that this contest should not be construed as an endorsement or determination of future success by the Organizer.
- All successful Participants that make the top 10 shortlist in each category authorize the Organizer to conduct credit and references checks before the top 3 award recipients are confirmed in each category.
- The Participant authorizes the Organizer to identify successful Participant (name/picture) in connection with organizing or promoting the Contest. Only successful Participants will be notified by February 17, 2009.
Confidentiality Clause:
- All business plans, references and credit checks will be treated as confidential, seen only by the Judging Panel, and kept in a locked and secure location during the judging process.
- The Organizer agrees to maintain the information submitted in confidence and to not reproduce / distribute / communicate the information within, except to the members of the judging panel, without expressed written consent of the contest entrant.
- All plans submitted will be DESTROYED (shredded) after two weeks of winners’ ceremony held on March 3, 2009.
Submission Rules:
- Single space with Times New Roman font of letter size 12 on 8.5 x 11 paper (letter size);
- Plans may be submitted in either official language (English or French);
- Maximum length of application shall not exceed 25 pages, EXCLUDING Title Page, Table of Contents, Financials, and any Appendices;
- All eligible Business Start-up Award Participants must read the Biz Start-Up Submission Format Rules before submitting their business plan.
- All eligible Business Growth Award Participants must read the Biz Growth Submission Format Guidelines before submitting their application form.
How to Enter:
- Contest submissions must be done either online, mailed-in or sent in-person. FAXES and EMAILS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
- Only choose ONE submission method (online, mail or in-person).
- All submissions are FINAL. There will be NO REPLACING DOCUMENTS OR PARTS THEREOF.
- Organizer will not be responsible for loss or damages to the materials submitted. All submissions will NOT BE RETURNED.
Winners:
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