Comcast Business’ Program for Startups and Entrepreneurs Returns after Successful Inaugural Campaign…
Comcast Business announced that for the second consecutive year, the company will seek out the nation’s most innovative startup companies and entrepreneurs to compete in the Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs competition. Contest applicants must submit a 250-word essay explaining how they would use $30,000 in technology investment to enhance their business.
Startups and entrepreneurs are encouraged to visit business.comcast.com/i4E to submit their application and essay and review the full program details. Entries are due by March 15, 2015. Last year’s winners came from a wide range of industries; including a women’s clothing designer from Delaware, a healthcare management company from Maryland, a business video producer from California, a mobile pet grooming service from Texas, a knitting materials supplier from Georgia and an animal hospital from Florida. Last year’s Greater Chicago Region regional winners included Cairnedge, a Palatine, IL-based consulting firm, and the Old St. Mary’s School in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood.
Startups and entrepreneurs play a critical role in driving our nation’s economy and creating new jobs, and we want to recognize and assist business leaders who are using technology to make a difference for their customers and employees,” said Bill Stemper, president of Comcast Business. “The Innovations 4 Entrepreneurs program is designed to enable these small businesses to take the next step in innovation and continue to grow.”
Entries will be judged and two winners will be selected in each of the 16 Comcast Business Regions: one winner for startup companies (in business less than two years) and one winner for entrepreneurs (in business for more than two years). The 32 regional winners will each earn $10,000 in cash.
From the regional winners, six grand prize winners will be selected – three startups and three entrepreneurs – who will earn an additional $20,000 in cash, plus a trip to Philadelphia and business advice from industry experts, including Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, Wharton entrepreneurship lecturer and DreamIt Ventures’ Director Patrick Fitzgerald, Comcast Chief Development Officer Sam Schwartz, and Managing Director of Comcast Ventures Louis Toth.
Regional winners will be notified beginning the week of April 8, 2015. Public voting for the 32 regional winners will be held April 27 – May 10, 2015. The six grand prize winners will be announced the week of June 1, 2015 with an awards event planned for August 2015.
About Comcast Business
Comcast Business, a unit of Comcast Cable, provides advanced communication solutions to help organizations of all sizes meet their business objectives. Through a next-generation network that is backed by 24/7 technical support, Comcast delivers Business Internet, Ethernet, TV and a full portfolio of Voice services for cost-effective, simplified communications management.
For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow us on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social.
About Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region
With nearly 7,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (www.comcastgcr.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting Comcast of Illinois, NW Indiana and SW Michigan. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.