San Joaquin startup business contest seeks entrants
People with ideas for startup businesses can apply now for the seventh annual San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge.
A total of $24,000 in cash and professional services await the winner and runner-up in the contest, open to people in Stanislaus and seven nearby counties.
The organizers will choose up to 20 applicants to take part in the first round March 16 in Stockton, where they will make pitches to an expert panel and audience voters. Eight finalists will move on to the second round April 13, also in Stockton, where the winner will be named.
The entry deadline is Feb. 7. Interested people can get advice on the process at workshops in Modesto and Stockton next month.
The San Joaquin Angels investment group sponsors the challenge with several partners in business, economic development and academia. Along with cash, the winner and runner-up will get legal, accounting, marketing and other services aimed at turning their startups into successes.
Stanislaus County residents have won four of the six previous contests:
▪ Amalia’s Cocina of Denair in 2011 with a line of natural Mexican sauces.
▪ John Paoluccio of Modesto in 2012 with an odor-controlling device for sewer manholes.
▪ Rich Ison in 2013 with security doors made in Riverbank.
▪ Mark Coons of Modesto in 2014 with a gun vault concealed behind artwork.
Two other county residents are automatically entered in the 2016 contest because of their success in this year’s Stanislaus Innovation Challenge. They are winner Charlene Solomon, with disposable pads used to lift and change bedridden patients, and Erin Bell, with ceramic pendants that diffuse essential oils.
San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge
Who: Residents of Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties
When: First round, 5 to 8:30 p.m. March 16 at Stockton Golf & Country Club, 3800 W. Country Club Blvd.; second round, April 13, same time and place. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
Modesto workshop: Interested people can get advice on how to enter from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Small Business Development Center, 1020 10th St. Call 209-567-4910 to register.
Stockton workshop: 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Small Business Development Center, 56 S. Lincoln St. Call 209-954-5089 to register.
More information: www.sjchallenge.homestead.com
This story was originally published December 24, 2015 at 12:06 PM with the headline "San Joaquin startup business contest seeks entrants."