Register for business plan contest

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The 2014 Rochester Regional Business Plan Contest is accepting entries through Jan. 24 for for-profit start-ups and early-stage enterprises.

Registration opened Monday.

The contest’s goal is to encourage entrepreneurship among all who enter while recognizing and rewarding the most promising new ventures and start-up companies in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region.

The contest enables early stage, for-profit companies to go through a four-week process that gives company leaders valuable insights into what makes a viable business plan and how to best present it to potential investors. Workshops are led by area business leaders and entrepreneurs with start-up experience and accomplishment; they offer participants first-hand feedback and individual help in developing their business concepts and plans.

The registration fee is $150 per company and includes participation of two company representatives in the preparatory workshops. The on-line application form and contest details are available at www.htr.org

The first place winner receives a $25,000 cash prize plus marketing and business incubation services. Second and third-place winners receive smaller amounts of cash and services. The runners-up receive marketing and business services.