Extended deadline for start-up grants
POTTSTOWN » Montgomery County Community College is extending the deadline for applying for the college’s Karen A. Stout Start-Up Accelerator Fund competition and its inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year award. The new deadline to apply is March 15.
The Karen A. Stout Start-Up Accelerator Fund program — now in its third year — gives aspiring and new entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete for muchneeded capital to help take them to the next level in their business development. The program is named in honor of MCCC President Emerita Karen A. Stout.
According to a spokeswoman for the college, the extension was offered to provide extra time for some entrepreneurs to submit their applications, and to allow time for other members of the community to apply.
So far, the college has received 19 applications, according to
spokeswoman Diane VanDyke, the most the college has received since the program began.
The Montgomery County Community College Foundation and the college’s Division of Business and Entrepreneurial Initiatives oversee the Accelerator Fund.
Selected applicants will be invited to the college on April 20 to pitch their business concepts to a review team.
Selected entrepreneurs will be awarded between $1,000 and $25,000 to help launch or grow their business ventures. Recipients will work with MCCC’s Center for Entrepreneurial Services and are eligible for inclusion in the College’s Entrepreneurship Academy, co-sponsored by Drexel University’s Close School of Entrepreneurship, to assist to further develop and finalize their business plans, set key milestones and deliverables and monitor progress and outcomes.
According to Gaetan Giannini, MCCC’s Dean of Business & Entrepreneurial Initiatives, a total of approximately $75,000 was awarded in the first two years of the program. There have been 10 recipients to date.
Ventures submitted for consideration should be located in or have the ability to impact Montgomery County or the surrounding Philadelphia region, according to information on the college’s website. Submitted plans should include information about: market feasibility; competition; value proposition; financial feasibility; ability to execute; launch/status; potential impact; and affinity category. According to the online explanation, the fund supports the success of military veteran, women and alumni owned businesses.
To apply, interested entrepreneurs should complete the applications and submit their proposed business plans. For details and to apply, visit mc3.edu/accelerator.
The college also announced the criteria and deadlines for its inaugural Montgomery County Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
According to the MCCC website, the award “will be given to an entrepreneur that demonstrates impact in the county, exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship by setting high standards and exhibits a desire to succeed by taking risks, overcoming significant obstacles, learning from experience, and demonstrating perseverance.”
The Entrepreneur of the Year award will be announced April 20, as well. For details and to apply, visit mc3.edu/entrepreneur.
For more information about Montgomery County Community College visit http://www.mc3.edu.