Voting now open for the 2014 AOA Startup Grant!
The entries for the 2014 AOA Startup Grant are now posted online and voting is open!
Three finalists will be chosen to compete for $1,500. Crowd voting will pick two of the finalists, the Editors will pick the third. The finalists will make presentations to a panel of judges that will pick the winner.
This year's group of applicants looks very strong. They range from arts programs to body piercing to food companies to retail to design to apparel. Go have a look, and then vote for your two favorites.
The All Over Albany Startup Grant contest is sponsored by sponsored by Staff Ciampino & Company P.C., Certified Public Accountants, with prize money from Berkshire Bank.
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Comments
What an amazing range of exciting entrepreneurial ventures. It's going to be tough to decide what to vote for.
What would be really cool is if you made the finalist presentations a public event -- like a local version of "Shark Tank." Do it at the Albany Public Library?
... said chrisck on Apr 7, 2014 at 11:53 AM | link
@chrisck: The idea of a public event is interesting. I don't think we'd be able to pull it off for this year, but it's something we'll think about for next year.
... said Greg on Apr 7, 2014 at 12:14 PM | link
How do the fans actually vote?? Where is the ballot??
... said Dana on Apr 7, 2014 at 2:00 PM | link
@Dana: On the main page for the Startup Grant there is a large "Click here to vote now" button/image just below the lineup of thumbnails for all the projects.
Also, you can get the ballot page directly via this link:
http://alloveralbany.com/startups/vote
We are hoping people will take a few minutes to browse through the list of applicants before voting.
... said Greg on Apr 7, 2014 at 2:17 PM | link
@chrisck - Being a fan of Shark Tank, I think that idea is awesome. And I agree there are a lot of interesting grant 'contestants' this year!
... said Paul on Apr 7, 2014 at 4:19 PM | link
It's difficult to tell if you have voted. I clicked on the boxes of the two I wanted to vote for. Did that do it?
... said Robin Schnell on Apr 7, 2014 at 4:51 PM | link
I can't tell if I "voted." The set up is very confusing. When I clicked on the big gray button indicated in your response earlier, nothing happens.
... said Carmen on Apr 8, 2014 at 9:55 AM | link
@Robin Schnell: There's a "done" button at the bottom of the ballot. After selecting your choices, click that button. You will get a short message thanking you for voting. If you get that message, your vote was cast.
@Carmen: I'm sorry you're having trouble. Here is the direct link to the ballot page:
http://alloveralbany.com/startups/vote
... said Greg on Apr 8, 2014 at 10:54 AM | link
Win or lose this has already been a rewarding experience! Thank you to AOA for hosting such an awesome event.
... said Kem Karl on Apr 10, 2014 at 12:39 PM | link