All Over Albany

Here's the latest batch of entries for this year's AOA Startup Grant

The deadline to enter for this year's $2,500 AOA Startup Grant contest was last night at midnight -- and we got a whole bunch of entries.* We're in the process of posting them on the site in the order they were received, and there's a new group up this morning:

+ Katahdin Stone Works - A hardscaping and landscape construction services company (think patios, fire-pits, retaining walls, etc.) that is looking to become the leader in the area for environmentally friendly permeable pavement installations.

+ The DillyBean - A local market in downtown Schenectady that has a goal to promote and supply locally-made goods to Capital District residents at a dedicated, convenient location.

+ Sleep in Heavenly Peace - A local chapter of a national effort to build beds -- and provide sheets, blankets, and other bedding -- to children who are in need.

+ Hudson Virtual Tours - A local company that wants to provide reality capture of Capital Region historic sites for 3D tours, HDR photos, and architectural plans.

This group joins The Relief Room and Market Pops, which were already posted. (Because they got their entries in first.) And there a bunch more that will be posted soon.

Crowd voting for the two of the three finalists for the $2,500 cash prize will open on Monday around noon. We will, of course, let you know about that.

The AOA Startup Grant is $2,500 in cash for people to use however they like for their project. This year's contest is sponsored by SEFCU, CDPHP, and the College of Saint Rose.

* Pretty much every year the majority of entries arrives in the last few hours before the deadline.