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Made in FredVA Competition Accepting Applications

by | Dec 13, 2014 | Business

By Susan Larson

Applications for the second annual Made in FredVA business startup competition are being accepted September 2 – October 3, 2014.  Startups or new divisions of existing companies may submit their business concept online at madeinfredva.com. There is no cost to apply.

Five finalists will be selected from the applications by The Next Generation of Business Leaders’ (NextGen) board of directors.  These five will present their business idea during this year’s Made in FredVA event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19 at the Inn at the Old Silk Mill, 1707 Princess Anne St., in Fredericksburg.

“The winner of Made in FredVA will receive at least $5,000 toward startup expenses,” said Bill Freehling, Fredericksburg assistant director for Economic Development and Made in FredVA chairman. “The final prize amount will be announced later and is expected to grow. There will also be a people’s choice cash award.” The winner will also receive the opportunity to pitch their business idea to early-stage investment fund Select Venture Partner LLC.

Three successful local entrepreneurs are the final judges for Made in FredVA.  They are:

●  Adam Fried, CEO of Atlantic Builders

●  Joy Crump, executive chef and partner at FoodE
●  Sameer Shalaby, managing partner, Select Venture Partner

Libby O’Malley of Muster Me, Adrian Silversmith of Sprelly and Shawn Phillips of Spencer Devon Brewing — three finalists in the 2013 competition — have all since launched their businesses.

“The Made in FredVA event helped me uncover the fact that my business idea would be possible,” Silversmith said.   “It also served as a launching point that took Sprelly from an idea into a reality.”

Sponsors of the second annual Made in FredVA include the Stafford County Economic Development Authority, Atlantic Builders, Marstel-Day and Neibauer Unlimited. Sponsorships are still available.  Contact Whitney Watts at [email protected].

Dr. Chris Neibauer will discuss his “Seven Principals of Unconditional Responsibility” at a September 16 event to benefit Made in FredVa and Startup Weekend Fredericksburg. The talk begins at 6 p.m. in Seacobeck Hall at the University of Mary Washington.  Tickets are $20 and are available through the events section of the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce website.

Made in FredVA is on Facebook at MadeinFredVA and on Twitter @MadeinFredVA
Related Stories:

Neibauer Presents ‘Seven Principles of Unconditional Responsibility’

FredXchange: Building a Startup Community in the Fredericksburg Region

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