AOA Sunmark Startup Grant 2012
Last year's winners -- Scott Kellogg and Stacey Pettigrew from the Radix Center -- in their greenhouse in Albany's Grand Street neighborhood. They used the grant money to help start an indoor aquaculture system.
Sometimes all a good idea needs to get off the ground is a little push. And we know there are a lot of great ideas floating around the Capital Region. So we've brought back the AOA Sunmark Startup Grant.
Sunmark Federal Credit Union is offering a $1,500 startup grant to help get one local micro-enterprise off the ground. And once again, you get to help decide who gets that funding. Or -- you know -- maybe even enter your own idea.
Last year more than 30 people or groups submitted entries to compete for the grant. It was inspiring to see the variety and creativity among the entries -- from cheesecakes and cell phone pods to public art and aquaculture. We're really looking forward to seeing what people come up with this year.
So, here's what we're looking for -- and how to apply...
What we're looking for
Think small business (baked goods, taco truck, Etsy shop) or community effort (public art, neighborhood program). We're not looking for straight out charities, rather business or community enterprises.
Who should enter
$1,500 probably isn't going to change a lot for an established small business. But for someone with an idea, or a small project that they want to take to the next phase -- it could help a lot.
How to enter -- please read all the details!
AOA will be accepting proposals from today through May 4. Be sure to include:
+ A short bio: Tell us a little about yourself. What have you done in the past? What led you to this project?
+ A description of your proposed project: What is it you want to do? Why do you want to do it? Why should we fund it?
+ An image: A photo/screengrab/image of the idea as it exists now and/or of what you would like to change. Be creative. Images should be at least 600 pixels wide and 400 pixels tall. Have a video to go along with your application? Excellent. Please post it online somewhere (example: YouTube or Vimeo) and provide us with the link so we can embed it.
+ How this funding would help: Tell us how you'd use the $1,500 startup grant grow your idea and help you move it into the next phase. We're not looking for a dissertation -- 200-300 words should be enough.
Applications should be emailed to startups@alloveralbany.com. Please enter the title of your project in the subject line. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of your submission.
The first round
AOA will post all the projects online for the crowd to review. The crowd will vote on 2 finalists. The Editors will pick a third.
Entrepreneurial crash course
All three finalists will be required to attend a one-night crash course by business/creativity coach Janet Tanguay on May 15 at the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce office in Colonie. Janet will help them arrange their ideas and think about how to present them to the judges in the final round.
The final round
The three finalists will then present their ideas to the judges on May 23 at the chamber's office. Each finalist will get 20 minutes to convince the judges to fund their project.
The judges
Our panel of judges are experienced entrepreneurs who have started successful businesses in the Capital Region.
+ Blake Hanen -- founder and owner of Mealeo.com
+ Lissa D'Aquanni - former small business owner and director of community relations at the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region
+ Rhea Drysdale -- founder and CEO of Troy-based online marketing firm Outspoken Media
Results
The winner will be announced here at AOA, and we'll check in with the winner over the next year.
Big thanks to Sunmark Federal Credit Union for its continued support of the startup grant.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
Very excited to participate and help with the selection process. Hope the community brings some amazing ideas! Get inspired Capital District. :)
... said Rhea Drysdale on Apr 16, 2012 at 9:59 PM | link
We are proud to sponsor the AOA Sunmark Startup Grant 2012! Looking forward to meeting this year's Capital Region start ups and entrepreneurs, and providing support to help them grow their businesses.
... said David Weinstein on Apr 17, 2012 at 12:53 PM | link
Just sent in my idea, fingers crossed! =) When will the ideas be available for the public to view? Thank you for having this contest, it's a great idea to help and promote micro local businesses!
... said Jennifer Zhao on May 1, 2012 at 9:34 PM | link
Stayed up late to finish up my application. Thanks for putting on this contest! Win or not, I'm having fun already.
... said Chase on May 4, 2012 at 12:38 AM | link
Our application is in. We're excited. Included is more detail on what we are doing at 540 Delaware Ave. Thank you for doing this contest. This is fun!
... said Eric Paul, The Cheese Traveler on May 5, 2012 at 10:23 AM | link