Entrepreneurs will pitch their businesses and compete to win $20,000 at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s Twenty Grand Business Plan Competition to be held at the National RES Las Vegas 2014 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, March 17-20, 2014.

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An estimated 4,000 people will attend the 28th Annual National Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, featuring hundreds of exhibitors over three days of training and business development sessions, and two days of the largest Native American Business Trade Show in the world. The trade show includes a National Center Energy Forum, Tribal Business Leaders Forum, “electrifying general sessions,” exclusive networking receptions, a procurement expo including federal, corporate and tribal buyers, the National Center Diversity Luncheon, a Native American Arts Market and the 26th Annual NCAIED Scholarship Golf Tournament.

How to Enter the Twenty Grand Business Competition:

Step 1- Determine your eligibility

–Must be registered to attend National RES Las Vegas 2014 by 5pm PST on February 1, 2014.
–Must have an official document of Tribal Enrollment (American Indian or Alaskan Native)
–Must be a 100% American Indian, Alaskan Native, or Canadian First Nations-owned business.

Step 2 – Register for National RES Las Vegas, March 17-20, 2014

Interested participants of the Twenty Grand Business Plan Competition must register to attend National RES Las Vegas 2014, being held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV from March 17 – 20, 2014, where they will compete by giving an in person pitch/presentation of their business plans for a chance to win $20,000. Register here.

Step 3 – Submission via Live Plan

After completing your National RES Las Vegas 2014 registration, participants will be contacted by a member of the NCAIED staff with instructions on how to access Live Plan (given a code and directed to a URL) and receive a free six month trial of Palo Alto Software’s Live Plan business plan software.

Step 4 – Presentation

All business plan presentations will take place at National RES Las Vegas 2014 beginning with the Qualifying round on March 18, 2014.

Competitors will first “pitch” their company’s business plan via their Live Plan account—in person to a panel of respected and accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders who will serve as judges of the competition.

If chosen to appear in the semi-final and final rounds, competitors are welcome to bring products, visual aids and/or other information that may strengthen their Live Plan business plan presentations.

Step 5 – Judging

All Business plans will be judged on the following criteria:

40% Business Plan Quality:

–Executive Summary & Company Structure

–Management Overview

–Financial Viability

40% Presentation Impact:

–Provide evidence of ability and experience to execute

–Provide evidence of business experience

20% Judge’s Assessment:

–The Judge’s overall critique and assessment of the idea potential

Winners wll be announced at the National RES 2014. For more information, visit ncaied.org/how-to-enter-the-twenty-grand-business-plan-competition.