2022 Enterprise Challenge - Contestant Registration

**CONTESTANT REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2022 AT 5:00PM**

Did you recently start a business or are planning to start one? If so, the Yakima County Development Association and Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce are hosting the 2022 Enterprise Challenge Business Plan Competition to help you initiate and improve your business plan. More than 200 entrepreneurs have competed in the competition since its inception - many of which have successful business in our communities.

As a contestant you will participate in virtual workshops and one-on-one help sessions with professionals in business planning, marketing, financing, law, technology, and other related topics. This tailored assistance has a value of over $2,500 and will provide you all the knowledge you need to complete a comprehensive business plan.

After the workshops and help sessions, you will submit your plan to a team of judges made up of community business leaders that will provide you with insightful feedback. The contestants with the highest scores receive local media coverage and move on to the Enterprise Challenge Trade Show. Those that advance from the trade show move onto the final round, a shark tank style presentation to a panel of judges.

The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 15, 2022. First place receives $10,000, second place receives $5,000, and third place receives $2,500.

Are you ready to get started? Register for the competition today!

The competition starts Thursday, January 6, 2022 and runs through Tuesday, March 15, 2022. Click here for the complete calendar of dates

ELIGIBILITY: The Enterprise Challenge is for individuals, teams, or start-up companies that are located in Yakima or Kittitas County. Participants must comply with the following:

• Teams and/or businesses must be based in and have 50% of the partners located in either Yakima or Kittitas County, Washington.
• The business must have been in operation for less than two years with gross receipts under $1 million, or it must be a new business venture.
• A supporting business license number or status documentation must be provided at registration.
• Franchise, Chains, Affiliations, Multi-Level Marketing, or similar business structures are not eligible.
• Businesses must be ‘for-profit’ enterprises. Non-profits are eligible to compete in the contest but are required to produce “for-profit” financials and business strategies.
• Business plans may be submitted by individuals or teams. Teams may have a maximum of three members. All team members must be over 18 years of age.
• To advance to the final round of the contest, the applicant and/or team member that is identified as the owner, or team lead, is required to attend the orientation, workshops (with one excused absence), and Enterprise Trade Show.
• Contest judges will recuse themselves if he/she has a conflict of interest (i.e. family, financial, or business relationship).
• Judges’ decisions are final, including interpretation of the rules.
• Previous Enterprise Challenge participants may enter the contest with a different business; however, winners from previous Enterprise Challenges are not eligible.
• Winners will receive half their business investment following the awards ceremony and the other half upon achieving a mutually agreed upon business milestone noted in the business plan. (i.e.- official opening of business, signed lease, payment system, website, etc). An official agreement is signed by both parties prior to the investment distribution that includes the milestone that must be met during the current competition calendar year.

**In the event that the competition does not generate enough participants, Yakima County Development Association and Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce reserve the right to amend cash prize amounts or registration deadlines. Please note that the schedule could change if the pandemic leads to continued closures and restrictions. For more information about the competition, schedule, and scoring criteria, visit the Yakima County Development Association website.