PHILIPSBURG – The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) announced that registration is now officially open for the 2nd annual Small Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition 2016.
This initiative was executed in light of COCI’s Business Program 2015, themed “Driving Business Development through Education and Communication.”
Last year, 36 aspiring and existing small entrepreneurs registered for a chance to vie for one of the 6 categories of prizes: Overall Winner, Best Marketing, Best Brand, Best Pitch, Most likely to Become Successful and Best Business Plan.
Sabrina Vrutaal for Educare Foundation; Nalajsha Agard for Creative Learning; Shawn York for 37 Square Miles SXM Clothing Apparel; Yannick Hodge for H&H General Cleaning and Maintenance NV; and Shasa Lake of Sweetie Epicurean Icery Pops, were the five finalists with the highest overall points.
The Best Marketing, Best Brand and Overall Winner categories were won by Vrutaal, while the Best Pitch and Most Likely to Succeed categories were won by Agard. York walked away as winner in the Best Business Plan category.
The Small Entrepreneur Business Plan Competition 2016 contest is designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and greater awareness of the resources available to grow entrepreneurs and innovators in St. Maarten. Contestants may enter their small business plan summaries for an opportunity to win a prize. Winners will be announced to the business community at the St. Maarten COCI prize award ceremony on Friday, August, 20, in commemoration of World Entrepreneurship Day.
The overall winner will win a grand total of US $2,000, a value of professional services, and office start-up equipment. Other category winners will receive $500 worth of professional services.
COCI encourages the entire business community to exercise their corporate responsibility by supporting these courageous, young and ambitious entrepreneurs.
Registration forms can be picked up or filled out at the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Center, C.A. Cannegieter Street #11, Philipsburg. Deadline to submit is no later than Thursday, June 30.
For additional information, contact COCI via telephone number: + 1 (721) 542-3590/95/93 or email: biz@chamberofcommerce.sx .
