Stanislaus business contest returns for second year

The Stanislaus Innovation Challenge has returned for a second year, offering prizes to startup businesses that impress experts and audience voters.

The contest will feature regional rounds in six Stanislaus County cities, up from four last year, leading to the finals on Dec. 10 in Modesto. The winner will get $3,500 and the runner-up $1,500, and they will share about $3,000 in legal, accounting, graphics and marketing services.

The event is open to people who live, own businesses or attend college in the county. It is sponsored by the Stanislaus Business Alliance, Wells Fargo, The Modesto Bee and the Stanislaus/Merced Angels investment group.

People throughout the county can apply for the regional rounds, which will all be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. More details:

▪ Modesto: Aug. 6, Kirk Lindsey Center, 1020 10th St., Suite 102. Entry deadline is July 22.

▪ Patterson: Aug. 27, Hammon Senior Center, 1033 W. Las Palmas Ave. Deadline is Aug. 9.

▪ Riverbank: Sept. 17, location to be announced. Deadline is Aug. 30.

▪ Ceres: Oct. 8, location to be announced. Deadline is Sept. 20.

▪ Oakdale: Oct. 29, Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second St. Deadline is Oct. 18.

▪ Turlock: Nov. 19, location to be announced. Deadline is Nov. 8.

The winner will be automatically entered in the 2016 version of the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge, an eight-county event based in Stockton and offering $24,000 in prizes.

Elias Ruiz of Hughson won the first Stanislaus Innovation Challenge with his idea for a lightweight raft. The other finalists were Luke Rocha with a holster that snugly fits an Airsoft gun, Fred Axton with an easy-access shower, and Joel Gutierrez Campos with a mobile app for use in redevelopment projects.

Applications and more information are at www.alliancesbdc.com or 209-567-4910.

This story was originally published July 8, 2015 at 9:21 AM with the headline "Stanislaus business contest returns for second year."