Thank you to the 109 aspiring entrepreneurs who applied!
2022 Homegrown for Hopewell:
Community Business Pitch Competition
& Free Business Bootcamp
Don’t miss this opportunity to jump-start your business! Entrepreneurs seeking to open brick and mortar businesses in the Hopewell Downtown Historic District (Virginia) may apply to our ‘Homegrown for Hopewell’ program.
What:
A Business Pitch Competition hosted by the Hopewell Downtown Partnership and made possible through the Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Business Launch (CBL) grant program.
Complete a Business Bootcamp and then choose to compete for gap-financing in front of a panel of judges. $30,000 to award!
For Whom:
Local and regional entrepreneurs, business owners, and creatives
When:
January – September 2022 (see timeline below). “Pitch Night” will be Wednesday, May 11th.
Why:
The overarching goals of this program are to:
a) support local entrepreneurs b) create and/or expand 3 new businesses that will create at least 5 jobs and fill at least 3 vacant commercial spaces in the Hopewell Downtown Historic District c) increase commercial activity and density in the area
Have questions?
Register for the Info Session (Zoom) on Tuesday, February 1st at 6pm EST.
Please direct any additional questions to [email protected].
More Information:
Get to Know Hopewell
- Why Downtown Hopewell?
- City of Hopewell
- “Our Town” Video – History and Future of Hopewell
- Support Small Business Promos: Part 1 and Part 2
- Dining out in the Region
- The Region
2022 Timeline
January – February
- Applications Open January 3rd
- Info Sessions (January 11th and February 1st)
- Application Deadline: February 11th at 11:59pm EST
February – March
- Participants complete FREE Business Bootcamp at VSU’s Minority Small Business Launch Center
- Virtual and In-Person Sessions from Wednesday, February 23rd – Wednesday, March 30th.
- You must attend all (live or recorded) Core Programming sessions by April 4th to be eligible to compete in the Pitch Competition.
April
- Bootcamp participants choose whether or not to compete in the Pitch Competition
- Participants work with mentors to prepare for “Pitch Night”
May
- Pitch Night participants compete in front of a panel of judges for cash prizes (to cover the gap financing) and other incentives
June – September
- Winners must open businesses by Sept. 30, 2022
- Celebrate participants’ launches with Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings
Requirements & Criteria
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You must attend and complete all ‘Business Bootcamp’ Core Programming Courses and earn your “Certificate Of Completion” to be eligible to compete in “Pitch Night.
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Pitch Night is not mandatory. You can participate in the ‘Business Bootcamp’ (educational piece) and choose not to compete in the pitch competition.
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If you are pitching a food and beverage business, you must also attend the food and beverage workshop (optional for all other bootcamp participants).
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If awarded funding at Pitch Night, you must locate your business in the Downtown Hopewell Historic District in Hopewell, Virginia.
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You do not have to be a current resident of the area but precedent for the Bootcamp will be given to local/regional participants if max capacity is reached.
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Non-profit entities may take the Bootcamp but are not eligible to pitch for funding.
Have questions? Register for Info Session (Zoom) on February 1st at 6pm EST.
Applications must be received by Friday, February 11th at 11:59pm EST.
Examples of Businesses Who Should Apply
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Breweries or Tasting Rooms
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Entertainment Centers/Social businesses (For example, bowling alley, skating rink, or shuffleboard)
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Restaurants, Bistros, Cafes (niche not already filled)
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Boutique clothing store
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Outdoor Recreation Store or Outfitter
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Ice Cream Shop
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Specialty Market/Multi-Vendor Market
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Boutique salon or spa
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Virginia or regionally-themed Gift Shop
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Small-scale production/manufacturing
Have questions? Register for Info Session (Zoom) on February 1st at 6pm EST.
Applications must be received by Friday, February 11th at 11:59pm EST.
Bootcamp Schedule & Curriculum
Due to great generosity and GO Virginia Funding, VSU’s Minority Small Business Launch Center will be offering Core Programming Courses (required) as well as both (optional) the “Pro Small Business Course Certificate” and StartUp Virginia Certificate *free of charge* to a limited number of participants throughout Term 1 (January – March) of the Spring 2022 VSU Academic Calendar. The live, interactive Core Programming Course webinars will be accompanied by the self-led Certifications and later, in-person sessions. The content is based upon a SCORE and SBA-funded SBDC feasibility analysis workbook for which I updated, enhanced, and modified core content and the delivery mechanism.
Participants who wish to compete in the Business Pitch Competition in May will also be assigned a mentor to help them prepare for Pitch Night.
MSBLC Core Programming (*All sessions live. Recordings will be made available):
Have questions? Register for Info Session (Zoom) on February 1st at 6pm EST.
Applications must be received by Friday, February 11th at 11:59pm EST.
