Mayor Kicks Off 2008 Spirit Award
GEARING UP: Tulsans gathered at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame April 2 to celebrate the kick-off of the 2008 Tulsa Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. Helping announce the kick-off were, from left, Albert C. “Kell??? Kelly, Larry Mocha, Mayor Kathy Taylor, Sean Griffin, Jeff Horvath, Gary Trennepohl and Seeking Sitters CEO and 2007 winner Adrienne Kallweit.
GTR Newspapers photo
The second annual Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award kicked off April 2 at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. The award provides cash and services totaling $100,000.
The first place winner will receive $30,000; second place $5,000; and third place $2,500. With cash money, the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is one of the richest business plan competitions in Oklahoma.
The competition is open to anyone in the city of Tulsa with an existing business from either a start-up business, one that has been in operation for five years or simply an idea for a new business. Entrants need not be based in Tulsa, but they must agree to establish or expand in Tulsa.
“Tulsa was built on entrepreneurial spirit,” says Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor. “Tulsa is in a great position to become a national center, if not a global center, for entrepreneurs to start and expand their businesses. We are creating an environment that supports entrepreneurs. The Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award encourages people with ideas to act on them, fosters advancement in businesses and creates a culture of entrepreneurial spirit. We are offering additional benefits and cash awards this year and our efforts to develop and support small businesses continue to grow.”
“Start-up and early stage companies play a pivotal role in the economic vitality of Tulsa,” says banker Albert C. “Kell” Kelly. “This business plan competition provides an excellent way for existing and emerging entrepreneurs to develop.”
“New businesses,” adds Mayor Taylor, “have been integral to Tulsa’s history from the beginning, and the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award Business Plan Competition provides yet another way for emerging companies to participate and grow.”
Business plan competitors will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges leading to a winner being announced Nov. 18 at a celebration held as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, sponsored by the Mayor’s Economic Development Commission and the Kauffman Foundation.
Anyone interested in entering the competition may obtain instructions, resource information, entry forms and business plan content requirements at www.tulsaspiritaward.com. Executive summaries will be accepted April 2 through May 14.
Updated 04-22-2008
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