Business Plan Competition
2013 North of Boston Business Plan Competition
The Enterprise Center at Salem State University is proud to announce the winners of the 2013 North of Boston Business Plan Competition. The prizes are: $5,000 first prize; second and third place winners will receive $3,000 and $2,000, respectively:
- 1st Place – Apptomics LLC is a digital health firm developing mobile applications and devices for neurological conditions.
- 2nd Place – North Shore Speech Therapy LLC is a pediatric practice dedicated to helping every child find his/her voice. They believe in treating the whole child and incorporating families into the treatment process.
- 3rd Place – The Bridge (OvaTheBridge.com) is a social media website where local businesses, nonprofits & community groups can raise awareness, share each other’s audience & network as part of the same online & offline community.
Click here to download a copy of the Finale Program Flyer
May 6, 2013 – The three winners of the 2013 North of Boston Business Plan Competition could not be more diverse, but there’s one thing they have in common: a passion for what they’re doing that augurs well for their future success.
First place and $5000 went to Apptomics, LLC, which is developing mobile applications and devices that will benefit patients with neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease. Apptomics plans to move to North Shore InnoVentures in Beverly, MA. Helping children find their own voice is the mission of second place winner North Shore Speech Therapy LLC of Peabody, which took home $3,000. Third place winner, Gloucester-based The Bridge LLC received $2,000; the company has built a social media website where Cape Ann businesses, nonprofits and community groups can raise awareness and share each other’s audience and network.
The May 6th grand finale, held in the recital hall at Salem State University, featured the CEOs of all three companies, who presented their plans to a public audience and fielded questions from a panel of expert judges. Their knowledgeable feedback is always cited by participants as a primary reason for entering the competition. As winner Dr. Georgia Mitsi, Founder and CEO of Apptomics said, “This competition gave me the opportunity to really focus on refining my plan. The advice and coaching have been excellent; this has been a very positive and dynamic experience.”
But perhaps the biggest winner is the region itself. As the event’s moderator, David Ives, Entrepreneur in Residence at the Enterprise Center, commented, “All three of our finalists are very mission-based and committed to causes that directly benefit people or build community. We are proud to have these companies on the North Shore.”
Winners must commit to locating on the North Shore and to growing to at least five full-time employees or full-time equivalent employees within two years. Companies must also be less than three years old or implementing a new growth strategy. “This competition is all about supporting young and growing companies and encouraging them to put down roots on the North Shore, said Enterprise Center COO Laura Swanson. “Small businesses are the foundation of our regional economy.”
This is the ninth year the competition has been held. Twenty-seven participants submitted plans that were reviewed by a judging panel comprised of local business leaders, entrepreneurs and investors. The competition would not be possible without their involvement or without the support of our sponsors. This year’s gold sponsors are East Boston Savings Bank, People’s United Bank and TD Bank. Silver sponsors include North Shore Technology Council, Salem Five, Speaking of Leadership, and West Hill Technology Counsel. The Competition’s media sponsor is The Salem News.
2013 co-sponsors are: the 128 Innovation Capital Group; Bertolon School of Business at Salem State University, Beverly Chamber of Commerce, Cape Ann Business Incubator, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Creative Economy Association of the North Shore (CEANS), Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce, Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, Merrimack Valley Small Business Center, Merrimack Valley Small Business Center, North Shore Alliance for Economic Development, North Shore Chamber of Commerce, North Shore InnoVentures, North Shore Women in Business, Peabody Chamber of Commerce, Salem Chamber of Commerce, Salem State University Alumni Association, Small Business Development Center at Salem State University.
Check out the photo gallery from yesterday’s Finale event
A BIG Thank you to our 2013 Sponsors
*donates companies that had judges represented in the competition
Here are the judges for the 2013 Business Plan Competition.2013 Judges*denotes competition sponsors
- Douglas C. Bates, M.S., M.B.A.- Aderit Internet Marketing Consulting
- Henry Bertolon- Partner, Manor Homes Development LLC
- Glenn Champagne- DataPoint Ventures
- C.W. Dick - Managing Director, Ascent Venture Partners
- K. Brewer Doran - Dean, Bertolon School of Business, Salem State University
- Tom Dusenberry - Founder & CEO, Dusenberry Entertainment
- Gordon Hall III, The Hall Company, Inc.
- Bonnie Henry, CEO, Game Metrix Solutions
- David W. Ives - CEO, NiiS, Inc.
- Ben Littauer - Boston Harbor Angels
- James Kawski, Varian Semiconductor
- Louise Leduc Kennedy, Founder, West Hill Technology Counsel, Inc.*
- Robert Millerick, Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer, East Boston Savings Bank*
- Michael H. Shanahan - Managing Partner, Egan-Managed Capital
- Lars Swanson - President, Swan Capital, LLC
- Scott Vandersall - Regional Vie President, TD Bank*
