ANN ARBOR ? The Spring Cycle of the Great Lakes Entrepreneur?s Quest business plan competition has been so successful, contest officials now are seeking more volunteer coaches.
?Things are kicking up a notch,?? said GLEQ Executive Director Art DeMonte. ?We?ve noticed there?s a whole influx of new business plans being submitted. We?ve had one hundred so far in the Spring Cycle, which is way off the map. How many of those hundred get through the stage gates and submit a business plan hard to say, but it does mean we need to recruit more coaches.?
DeMonte said GLEQ would like to double its portfolio of 15 volunteer coaches and already has been hearing from interested business professionals. He said if past practices hold true, one in five applicants will be accepted.
?We sift through them and take the cream of the crop,?? he said.
Applications must be submitted on the GLEQ website by April 15. Those candidates that meet the criteria as a GLEQ coach will be matched to teams based on their industry and functional expertise and start-up business experience.
Coaches will advise teams in either the New Business Idea or Emerging Company categories and assist teams with their executive summary, business plan and investor pitch. Current coaches include a cross section of talent including serial entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, corporate executives and business consultants.
To register, click on GLEQ.Org
