Registration Opens for The San Angelo Business Plan Competition 2025

 SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Business Plan Competition 2025 is a two-phase business plan competition with cash grant prizes as well as in-kind prizes donated by local businesses. The Competition is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to expand their business in San Angelo by competing for a cash grant and in-kind prizes through the business plan competition. Entry is now open and requires business owners to submit a Business Overview & application. The deadline to enter is Thursday, August 8th at 5:00 pm CDT. Application available online at www.angelo.edu/bpc.

By competing in the San Angelo Business Plan Competition, participants not only have a chance to walk away with grant funds and in-kind prizes, but the selected finalists will receive valuable knowledge through working with ASU Small Business Development Center’s Certified Business Advisors that results in a fully executable business plan.

“ The Business Plan Competition has impacted many local businesses over the years, not just with funding, but through the knowledge gained from the process,” said Dezaray Johnson, Director of the ASU Small Business Development Center. “One of the best tools for growth, is having a roadmap to get there. The competition gives business owners the drive needed to complete their plan which will ultimately take their business to new heights.” 
Assistance for Contestants

A common misconception about the business plan competition is that contestants must create their business plan alone. However, the SBDC offers one-on-one, no-cost, and confidential assistance in preparing a Business Overview (Phase I) to be submitted as part of the application process.

If selected as a finalists, contestants are responsible for drafting a business plan including financial projections with assumptions, and a business plan presentation to be presented in-person to the judging panel as part of the Plan and Presentation (Phase II). SBDC certified business advisors will work with the selected contestants on developing their business plan, financial projections and assumptions, and their business presentation all of which will be presented to an external panel of judges for review. A student team from the Norris-Vincent College of Business (NVCOB) will work under the tutelage of SBDC advisors and assist contestants during Phase II of the competition, providing additional support to the small business owner as well as a quality experiential learning experience for the students.

“Our team is looking forward to assisting businesses who are ready to take advantage of their growth potential by leveraging competition grant funds. The SBDC Certified Business Advisors and qualified student interns will act as your support system throughout the competition helping you one on one, as well as an in depth workshop developed specifically to address the competition elements and judging criteria.” said Dezaray Johnson, Director of the ASU SBDC. The workshop will be held at the Business Resource Center (BRC) in the Dave Erickson Training Room located at 69 N. Chadbourne St. in San Angelo, day and time to be determined.

Eligibility Requirements

• Any individual or a multi-person team (up to four contestants per team) is welcome to enter in the competition if they meet the following eligibility requirements:
• Must be in the startup phase (two years or less) or be an established existing business.
• Business ideas or concepts are not eligible.
• The business must be legally formed at the county or at the state level.
• The business must be incurring business revenue and business costs at the time of entry. 
• Businesses must be in San Angelo or its ETJ to be eligible for an award.

Note: Please see review the competition guidelines for further explanation of eligibility requirements.
 
Prizes Available

The grant funding reflects our commitment to supporting small business growth in San Angelo,” said Nora Nevarez, Economic Development Coordinator.

“We’re proud to invest in entrepreneurs who are building innovative, job-creating businesses that strengthen our local economy. The Competition Officials may award $50,000 in a cash grant for first place, $30,000 in a cash grant for second place, and $20,000 in a cash grant for third place, as well as in-kind services donated by local businesses worth thousands of dollars in total.