The 2012 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition deadline has been extended until Friday, June 15.  Aspiring entrepreneurs and start-up companies that have not filed a full year’s tax return may visit www.valdostachamber.com and complete the 2012 registration packet.  Guardian Bank has been a proud sponsor of the business plan competition since it’s inception in 2006, awarding $85,000 in start-up capital to previous competition winners.  This year’s competition winner will receive $15,000 in start-up capital along with in-kind products and services provided by local Chamber members.  

2008 Winner, Azalea Health Innovations was recently recognized in Washington D.C. as a 2012 U.S. Chamber Blue Ribbon Award Winner.  2010 Winner, Innovate Engineering Solutions, received national attention last year when the company was featured in The Magazine for Professional Engineers, which is distributed to 40,000 top engineers across the country.  Fowler & Company, winner of the 2011 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition was a featured speaker during the Chamber’s Small Business Breakfast.

A video interview with Azalea Health Innovations tells first-hand the benefits of entering the Competition and the variety of resources available in our community to assist aspiring entrepreneurs.  If your company is interested in becoming an Angel Sponsor for our 2012 winner, please complete our 2012 Angel Sponsor form and return it to the Chamber.

The Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition is an initiative by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Valdosta State University’s Small Business Development Center and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to foster new business development that will raise the per capita income and better the quality of life in Lowndes County.  Registration packets must be received by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce before 5pm on Friday, June 15.