Do you ever dream of opening your own business? Are you a small business owner looking to innovate?
The Dream-O-Vate Business Competition supports entrepreneurs to bring their dream of opening a business to reality. The program will award $300,000 in prizes to fifteen (15) winners through training, funding, and the essential resources and tools needed to successfully open their businesses.
“Starting a business is hard work – especially in today’s economy,” said Bill Bacon, Director of Economic Development for Livingston County, NY. “Through the Dream-O-Vate competition we hope to ease that transition into business for fifteen innovative entrepreneurs. In doing so, we’re not only helping the winners, but also our existing businesses as we add to the critical mass in our communities.”
Livingston County is actively seeking makers, creators, movers, and shakers to open retail establishments that will enhance the visitor experience in and around nine historic Main Street districts. Applicants can be a new business start-up or diversification of an existing business.
“We’re hoping that the competition will attract new residents who are looking to make the move from city to country living,” says Bacon. “Our location in the beautiful Genesee River Valley on the western edge of the Finger Lakes offers a rewarding lifestyle where you can make real connections and a big difference in a small community.”
Produced by Livingston County Economic Development, Dream-O-Vate is a retail business plan competition that encourages entrepreneurs to compete for the chance to open a storefront and earn a coveted business start-up package to turn their dream into reality. This is the second Dream-O-Vate program run by Livingston County Economic Development. A 2019 program assisted nine businesses across five communities.
Four information sessions are scheduled between April 5th and 8th. Applications and introduction videos are due April 23rd. For more information and to apply, visit www.dream-o-vate.com.
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