Business Plan Competition
The Business Plan Competition began in 2005 with a sponsorship from Guardian Bank who continued to sponsor the competition for the next 6 years. With the goal of creating a competition that encouraged excellence in the planning stages of new businesses and ensured that more local businesses would succeed, the Business Plan Competition began.
At the end of the 6 month competition, the winner received $10,000 in start-up capital along with thousands of dollars of in-kind services from Chamber members. In turn, the winners committed to hiring university and technical college graduates and remaining in Lowndes County.
It is through this competition, which we hope to create jobs that keep graduates in Valdosta-Lowndes County. In 2013-14, Southwest Georgia Bank became the sponsor of the competition and remained the sponsor through 2018. Since inception the winners have created more than 50 jobs in Valdosta.
2018 Business Plan Competition Winner Ink And Cotton
INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY
“Southwest Georgia Bank recognizes that small business is the backbone of our economy. An investment in small business is an investment in our community. Our long term commitment to the Business Plan Competition is a great way for SGB to re-invest capital into the community that has been so supportive of us, and it further demonstrates our long term commitment to Valdosta – Lowndes County.”
Jeff Hanson,
Southwest Georgia Bank
Business Plan Competition Winners – Prior Years
2017 Winner – Partners in Health Management
2016 Winner – TH Boyd Communications
Past Winners:
2006– SmithBarnas & Associates
2007– Code 3 Response Security
2008– Azalea Health
2009– SEGA Medical Research
2010– Innovative Engineering Solutions
2011– Fowler & Company
2012– I2o Technologies
2014– Monarch Hair Solutions & Salon, LLC
2015– Enay Coaching
2016– THBoyd Communications
2017– Partners in Health Management
2018– Ink & Cotton
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS
