Startup business contest returns for sixth year

The sixth annual San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge kicks off next week with workshops for people thinking of entering.

The contest offers $20,000 in prizes for startup business ideas, as judged by an expert panel and the audience at two Stockton events. It is open to people who live or work in Stanislaus and seven nearby counties.

The workshops – Tuesday in Modesto and Wednesday in Stockton – will provide information on the application process. It asks about market research, financing and other aspects of launching a business. The contest is for startups and “early stage” companies.

Up to 20 entries will be chosen for the first round March 18, which will involve two-minute pitches to the judges and audience. Eight will move on to the second round April 8, where they will make five-minute presentations. Four finalists will take part that night in a “simulated challenging business situation” and answer judges’ questions.

Stanislaus County has owned this contest, producing four of the five past winners. Amalia’s Cocina of Denair won in 2011 with a line of natural Mexican sauces. John Paoluccio did it in 2012 with an odor-controlling device for sewer manholes. Rich Ison won the 2013 contest with security doors made in Riverbank. Mark Coons of Modesto placed first last year with a gun vault concealed behind artwork.

The contest is sponsored by the San Joaquin Angels investor group with help from several businesses and economic development organizations.

They include the Stanislaus Business Alliance, which last year held its first contest for startups in the county, won by Elias Ruiz of Hughson with his lightweight raft. He and runner-up Luke Rocha of Modesto, maker of a form-fitting holster for Airsoft and real guns, were automatically entered in the upcoming eight-county challenge.

This story was originally published January 15, 2015 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Startup business contest returns for sixth year."