Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs has announced prize money and seminar dates its Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition.

First place prize is $5,000 in business start-up costs and a one-year BCE client program membership. Second place is $1,000 in start-up costs and a one-year BCE client program membership. Third place is a one-year BCE client program membership.

This is BCE’s fifth business plan competition and it recognizes the late Ropp Triplett, long-time Bluffton industrial leader and entrepreneur.

“The contest is open to start-up businesses and emerging businesses that are less than three years old. The competition teaches entrepreneurs to write a business plan that will help them improve their existing business or to successfully start a new one,” said Brendon Matthews, BCE board president.

The competition will be launched at the Jan. 17 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast.

Kathy Keller, director, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Lima, instructs all seminars. Each takes place at Bluffton University from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following evenings:

Jan.16: “Launch Your Business Right (free)
Jan. 23: “So You Want to be an Entrepreneur” (fees and applications are due)
Jan. 30: “Planning to Start a Business”
Feb. 6: “Developing Your Business Idea”
Feb. 13: “Testing Your Business Idea and Getting it to Market” 
Feb. 20: “Accounting for Your Business”
Feb. 27: “Financing Your Business”
March 13: “Final Pitch Dress Rehearsal (business plan due)
March 15: Final pitches

To enter the competition, contestants must complete an entry form and submit a $150 application fee. The fee for college student to enter is $75. The deadline to enter the contest is Thursday, Jan. 23.

For a copy of the entry form and additional information contact BCE at 419-369-2985 or e-mail [email protected].  Material is also available at www.blufftonentrepreneurs.com.

About BCE

The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs is a not-for-profit business incubator offering support services and professional guidance to entrepreneurs and small businesses in Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties.