It All Starts With An Idea
THE PROGRAM
Hands Up Lake County is a small business competition that encourages and nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit in the community. Selected participants will fine-tune their business ideas and business plans and receive training and follow-up support. Thirteen (13) small businesses will be selected in the Established Business category and seven (7) businesses will be selected in the Startup Business category. All businesses in both categories will compete in a “mini-competition” from which five (5, in the Established Business category) and three (3, in the Startup Category) will be selected to advance to a final competition and a chance to win cash awards totaling $150,000.
There are 4 phases in the small business competition.
THE APPLICATION REVIEW
THE MANDATORY 1-DAY WORKSHOP
THE MINI COMPETITION
THE FINAL COMPETITION
THE APPLICATION REVIEW
THE MANDATORY 1-DAY WORKSHOP
THE MINI COMPETITION
THE FINAL COMPETITION
ELIGIBILITY
BASICS
- Fully completed, signed application must be submitted by the deadline. Applications will be accepted from March 1 to May 31, 2024. Late applications will not be accepted.
- Applicants must agree to all the terms specified on the application.
- The business (established or startup) must be located in Lake County.
- The application must be responsive to the questions asked.
- The name of the business or startup must be clear.
- The contact information must be current and accurate.
- In any of the phases of the competition, if an applicant does not respond to communication from the 1Team 1Dream administration in a timely manner, the applicant may be disqualified.
COMPETITIVENESS
From the application submitted, to the business plan, and the pitch/presentation judges will have the challenging task of deciding which businesses will advance – from the mini-competition to the final competition – where they will decide the award amounts for each finalist in 2 categories:
Established Businesses:
1st Prize: $40,000
2nd Prize: 2 winners, $20,000 each
3rd Prize: 2 winners, $15,000 each
Startup Businesses:
1st Prize: $15,000
2nd Prize: 2 winners, $10,000 each
HOW IT WORKS
![HULC2024_Phases_updated_425](https://1t1drevamp.coffeeorcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HULC2024_Phases_updated_425-1.png)
![HULC2024_Phases_mobile_updated](https://1t1drevamp.coffeeorcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HULC2024_Phases_mobile_updated.png)
![Mask group](https://1t1drevamp.coffeeorcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mask-group.png)
They have the opportunity to get funding for their business ideas.
![Mask group-1](https://1t1drevamp.coffeeorcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mask-group-1.png)
They get invaluable feedback on their business plan.
![Mask group-2](https://1t1drevamp.coffeeorcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mask-group-2.png)
They get the exposure to the right audience and expand their network.
![Mask group-3](https://1t1drevamp.coffeeorcode.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mask-group-3.png)
They learn more and acquire new talent and skillset.
Cash Prizes
Established Businesses
Start-up Businesses
The participants of the competition have the chance to win cash prizes, which he or she can use to jumpstart his business plan.