Could your start-up business use $500, $1,000 or $4,000 cash to assist in your business launch?

Could your currently-operating Bluffton business use $1,000 or several “in-kind” services to improve your already existing business?

Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs wants to help start-ups and existing businesses. Business owners an the public are invited to an open house from 1 to 4:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, in BCE’s new location at 110 S. Main St., Bluffton.

The offices are in the Citizens National Bank building and have an entrance directly to Main Street.

BCE staff and board members will be on hand to answer questions about how BCE operates. Information on the 2016 Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition will also be available.

In addition, three of this past winter’s business plan competition winners will have displays about their business services and products. Those businesses are Bluffton Pediatrics, Fresh Modern Fabric and 315 Walnut.

Here are more details about the business plan competition:

1. STARTUPS AND EMERGING BUSINESS CONTEST

The competition is open to startups and emerging businesses less than 2 years old OR under $20,000 in annual revenues and located in the four-county area: Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam.

Contest participation includes enrollment in a seven-session course designed to help you create a complete business plan suitable for presentation to lenders or investors. Participation at all seven seminars is strongly recommended, but not required for entry to the competition.

Must submit application from and fee by January 21.

Must present plan to judges in March.

2. BLUFFTON SMALL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT CONTEST

The Bluffton Small Business Improvement Contest is provided to allow business leaders to add/grow/develop enterprises, which contribute to increase in sales, jobs and traffic to their business and Bluffton.

Business must be located in the 45817 zip code.

Contest participation includes enrollment in a seven-session course designed to help you create a complete business plan suitable for presentation to lenders or investors. Participation in 3 of the seven seminars is strongly recommended, but not required for entry to the competition.
Must submit application form and fee by January 21.

Must present plan to judges in March

2016 Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition
What is the Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs? Simply put, we're business incubators. We provide programs that add value to young businesses, accelerate their growth, and increase the odds of their success — that's business incubation.

The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) is a not-for-profit business support center offering professional assistance and customized programs to entrepreneurs and small businesses in Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties.