Laid off? Feeling the itch to incorporate but don't have the capital? Assistance is on the way.
Eight local business entities have banned together to launch the Tampa Bay Small Business Jumpstart contest. The contest winner will receive $25,000 in pro bono business start up services to launch a company of their own.
“To start a new company after losing a job requires so many things – not to mention courage, determination and creativity," states Karen Gillman, of Intelligent Office in Tampa. "But you also need tangible resources like office space, marketing materials and advisors. That’s where we knew we could help.”
The Jumpstart winner will receive a package of services that includes internet marketing and web site development, on-site IT support, a public relations campaign, office space and receptionist support for nine months, start-up accounting services, life coaching, printing services and ongoing business planning and counseling.
To qualify, aspiring entrepreneurs must meet two primary criteria:
- They lost their job due to the economic crunch (laid off, downsized, etc)
- They are not looking for a new job with another company or organization, but instead, have either decided to start a business of their own in the last six months or plan to start a business within the next two months.
The Jumpstart concept originated with Jeremy Knauff, CEO of Wildfire Marketing Group. “There are a lot of people out there who have lost their jobs due to the economy,” Knauff said, “and that reality drove me to recruit like-minded business people who wanted to help at least one person overcome an unfortunate hardship.”
Jumpstart contest applications will be available online at www.tampajumpstart.com on May 18, 2009 and are due at 5 p.m. on June 18, 2009. There is a $20 application fee, and all contest proceeds will be donated to the Hillsborough Achievement Resource Center, which serves disabled adults.
Comments
Fred:
Thanks for letting your readers know about our program. We are looking forward to starting someone off right on their path to success.
Julie Heidelberg
Heidelberg PR
Jumpstart contributor
www.heidelbergpr.blogspot.com
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