SPARK | Manistee Downtown, Michigan - Downtown Development Authority

the Manistee DDA, West Shore BAnk, Little river casino resort Present

Spark Manistee is a competition to encourage and incentivize entrepreneurs to open or grow their businesses in Downtown Manistee. Submit your next big idea today!!

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SUBMIT YOUR IDEA

OFFICIAL RULES

HOw It works

Creators submit their new business ideas. 5 finalists present their ideas before a panel of judges and live voters on January 25th, SPARK Pitch Day. The winner receives DDA cash incentives and professional services to launch their local business!

Submission Deadline: October 30th, 2019 at midnight

Top 5 Selection: November 19th, 2019

Spark Manistee Event: January 25th at 10 am to 1 pm

Finalists will be expected to participate in the following pitch and presentation opportunities:

SBDC/SCORE Presentation Pitch Training: December 11th at 12 pm at Location Downtown

SBDC/SCORE: 1-1 Business Prep One Hour Sessions: Dec 19th at TBD Location Downtown

SBDC/SCORE:1-2 Business Prep One Hour Sessions: January 16th and 17th at TBD Location Downtown

2018 Winner

Jamie Catlett – Manistee Men’s Grooming Company

Jamie Catlett-One year later

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5 IDEAS

Community members submit business ideas and the Spark committee selects 5 finalists.
These 5 local creators receive individual support from WSCC to create business plans.

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5 MINUTES

Creators have 5 minutes and 5 slides to make their pitch to the judges panel and live audience on September 15th.

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1 WINNER

The judges panel and live audience voting select the winning business idea. The winner receives a cash prize and DDA business incentives.

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5K CASH

The winning business creator will receive $5k cash prize.

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BUSINESS SERVICES

Professional in-kind business services such as marketing, accounting, and legal advice.

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5K LOAN

The winner will be eligible for a low-interest DDA business loan, adding to the start-up cash on hand to launch their business!

Support local business growth

Working with and on behalf of the Manistee downtown business community, the Manistee Downtown Development Authority wants to make Manistee a great place to live, work and build a business. Help support entrepreneurial spirit in the Manistee downtown through one of three levels of sponsorship. Your financial or professional consulting sponsorship will make someone’s dream a reality. See sponsorship form for details.

Sponsorship form