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!!
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 recieves 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 1pm
2018 Winner
Jamie Catlett – Manistee Men’s Grooming Company
Jamie Catlett-One year later
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.
These 5 local creators receive individual support from WSCC to create business plans.
5 MINUTES
Creators have 5 minutes and 5 slides to make their pitch to the judges panel and live audience on September 15th.
1 WINNER
The judges panel and live audience voting select the winning business idea. The winner receives a cash prize and DDA business incentives.
5K CASH
The winning business creator will receive $5k cash prize.
BUSINESS SERVICES
Professional in-kind business services such as marketing, accounting, and legal advice.
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.