Free South Norwalk commercial space up for grabs in contest
NORWALK — Local entrepreneurs have a chance to win free commercial space in the Washington Street area in a New York-based firm’s contest.
AGW SONO Partners, an investment and management group, is accepting pitches through its marketing division, On-Washington, for its 2024 Entrepreneur Contest, where entrepreneurs can pitch their business concept to compete for free retail space.
There is no set lease for the winner of the contest; the length of occupancy depends on the business type and plan, a statement on the firm’s behalf said.
AGW manages 27 properties on Washington Street ranging from eateries, retail and office space, and lifestyle services.
Two previous iterations of the contest garnered “40 business plan pitches ranging from antique and floral shops to health and beauty products, fitness floors, cafes, and photography studios,” the statement said.
“This unique opportunity provides entrepreneurs with the ability to test their concept, gather consumer feedback, tweak their business’ products and practices, and experience Washington Street from a business owner’s perspective,” the statement said.
Eco Evolution, one of the past two winners, is an “eco-friendly retail concept, event space, and café" at 135 Washington St.
The cafe’s pop-up location from the contest turned into a five-year lease, the statement said.
Ideal business pitches for the contest include physical fitness studios, coffee shops, cafes, gift shops, clothing boutiques, media studios, food markets, bodegas. and gallery and artist collectives, the statement said.
Business proposals, evaluated by OnWashington and AGW SONO Partners, must include an entrepreneur profile, concept overview with samples or examples, branding deck, and marketing campaign in an application submitted by March 29. Submit applications at this link.
Projected financials in a proposal are optional. Interviews take place in the first two weeks of April before the winner is announced on April 16.