Business Plan Competition

Participate individually or as a team! 

At least one team member must meet the eligibility requirements. The eligible team member must already be either an owner/co-owner of the business or will be an owner/co-owner once the business is launched.

In order to participate, you or one member of your team must be either a:

• Current or former CCBC students with at least 15 credit hours successfully completed in any discipline within the last five years.
• Alumnus of CCBC who has graduated with a credit degree or credit certificate.
• Non-credit graduate of any program/certificate or apprenticeship program offered by CCBC.
•  Student in the final year of a non-credit apprenticeship program offered by CCBC.

Level-up your existing plans!

In addition to meeting the general requirements, existing businesses must also meet the following criteria: 

• a registered business in good standing with the State of Maryland, or your business is exempt. You may be exempt if you are a sole proprietor or self-employed.
• have less than $75,000 in annual revenue,
• no more than two full-time employees, and
• haven’t been in business for more than three years.

Please note: Types of businesses that are not eligible include franchisees, multi-level marketing and network marketing companies such as Amway, Herbalife, Tupperware, Nu Skin, Mary Kay and other similar companies. Businesses promoting adult products, gambling, pornography or other illicit products that run contrary to the values of CCBC and Maryland laws are also prohibited.

A total of $80,000 that will be awarded to the top 6 finalists to help promote the business. Here is how the seed money is awarded:

• First place: receives up to $25,000;
• Second place: receives up to $20,000;
• Third place: receives up to $15,000;
• Fourth place: receives up to $10,000;
• Fifth and sixth place: receive up to $5,000 each.

Plus, all six winners will receive scholarships to attend a 12-week course designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses.

Funding your business is important, but so is setting yourself up for professional success! The BPC winners also receive:

• An invitation to work with CBI’s incubation network in which a class of students help implement the business plan during the spring semester. The winners get support in the areas of marketing and sales, website development, technology, accounting, human resources and management and will gain access to investors and creditors.
• Up to four one-hour coaching sessions with experts in the business community on such topics as accounting, legal, marketing, insurance, information technology and project management.