Chicago State University - Entrepreneurial Idol Competition – August 22 - Supporting Illinois-based businesses. Entrepreneurs
By Fields Jackson. Jr, Founder & CEO, Racing Toward Diversity magazine and adjunct professor, Chicago State University
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Next Thursday evening, August 22, 2013 Chicago State University will be hosting the second Entrepreneurial Idol Competition. The competition will be webcast, and will have in attendance the Honorary Chairman, U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and the newest Freshman Congresswoman, Robin Kelly (D-Ill) (won Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s vacated seat).
About Entrepreneurial Idol
The Chicago State University Entrepreneurial Idol Competition was launched in 2012 with support from local and national business leaders, as well as City, State and Federal elected politicians. The Entrepreneurial Idol is a business plan competition with the goal of highlighting and supporting Illinois-based businesses. Entrepreneurs in the start-up or early stages of growth are strongly encouraged to apply. All submissions are reviewed by a panel of educators, entrepreneurs and business leaders.
The Entrepreneurial Idol business plan competition has 3 rounds:
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Round I - Application Round |
Round II - Semi-final Round |
Round III - Final Round |
Last year's competition was a great success with 94 applicants submitting their business plans.
2012 Winners:
1st Place Winner: 3 Net Wise
2nd Place Winner: Cambridge Commercial Facilities Maintenance (CCFM), Inc.
3rd Place Winner & Crowd Favorite: Building Blocks Learning Academy
4th Place Winner: Silver Care Home Services
2012 Finalists included:
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3 Net Wise
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Building Blocks Learning Academy
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Cambridge Commercial Facilities Maintenance (CCFM), Inc.
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International Cyberbanque
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Prodico Technologies, LLC
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Seed 1st
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Silver Care Home Services
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Thank God It's Natural
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The School of Gospel Music
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Whatever Sells, LLC
About Chicago State University
Chicago State University opened its doors as a teacher training school in a leaky railroad freight car in Blue Island, Illinois on September 2, 1867. Today, in contrast, the university is a fully accredited public, urban institution located on 161-picturesque acres in a residential community on the Southside of Chicago. During the first year of its founding, CSU enrolled 62 students. The current student enrollment is nearly 7,200.
From its humble origins, Chicago State University has evolved into an outstanding, nationally acclaimed university that provides a value-added education for all who enter its hallowed halls. Consistently evolving to reflect state-of-the-art trends in higher education, Chicago State University prepares students for success in the twenty-first century.