The competition will award up to $30,000 in business investment grants for start-up and existing businesses looking to expand with additional job creation in the Town of Culpeper, Virginia.
| May 1, 2023 | Application due |
| May 17 – July 12, 2023 | Required entrepreneur courses |
| July 21, 2023 (5pm EST) | Submit detailed business plan |
| July 26, 2023 | Pitch Competition |
To inspire economic development and job creation in Culpeper, we are proud to present Culpeper Competes in partnership with the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center. Culpeper Competes is designed to encourage and develop an entrepreneurial spirit through business development education and mentorships to guide participants through the process of launching or growing their business.
Courses will be presented at the Town’s Economic Development Center, 803 S. Main Street. All course presentations will be streamed online for virtual attendance as well. Course participation is required to compete. If you plan to attend virtual, please be prepared to have access to high-speed internet during scheduled course times.
Example Business Categories
– Accommodations (i.e. hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, inn)
– Agritourism (farm retail shop and or consumer services)
– Arts, Entertainment, Experiential
– Cultural, Educational, Instructional
– Financial and Business Services
– Food and Beverage Manufacturing
– Healthcare/Wellness
– Information Technology, SaaS, Communications
– Life Sciences, Biotech, Biomedicine
– Light Manufacturing
– Other
– Personal Care (i.e. beauty/barbershop, nail salon, dry cleaner, spa)
– Recreation
– Restaurant/Food Service
– Retail
Competitors will:
– Attend eight required business development courses
– Develop and submit a detailed business plan for scoring
– Competitors will meet with experienced mentors from -Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC)
Competitors will be judged based on:
– Eligible finalists will deliver a pitch presentation to a highly regarded panel of professionals
– Sales pitch
– Oral presentation
– Clarity and quality of written business plan
– Market analysis
– Financial analysis
The Town of Culpeper Economic Development and Tourism Department made this program possible through partnership with the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center. The program builds on business support strategies, placing the community at the heart of entrepreneurial and small business development.
For additional information, please contact:
Tori Buell, (540) 729 – 4657 or tbuell@culpeperva.gov
OR
Shira Goldeen, (434) 214 – 4556 or sgoldeen@cvsbdc.org
For more information visit: Culpeper Competes (visitculpeperva.com)
Applications: Culpeper Competes Application (google.com)