Small Business BC is holding its fourth annual Business Plan Contest. All new and existing BC-based businesses are eligible to enter. Cash and in-kind prizes totalling $16,000 will be awarded to the top five winners.

It’s free to enter the contest, and entries must be received by noon on December 15, 2006. Entries can be submitted by e-mail, mail, or in person (see address below), but facsimiles will not be accepted.

The judging period is from December 15 to January 15, and the winners will be announced on January 15, 2007.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

1. High quality business plan
2. Strong business viability and overall business strategy
3. Concrete projections and financial plan
4. Solid management team: experience in relative industry and good credibility
5. Innovativeness and feasibility of the business concept
6. Sustainability where the business is based on significant social and environmental returns

Format guidelines include:

Maximum length of 25 pages excluding Title Page, Table of Contents, Financials, and Appendices.
Times New Roman font, 12 pt., single-spaced on letter size paper (8.5 x 11 inches or 21.59 x 27.94 cm)
Either official language – English or French

For more contest details, visit the Small Business BC web site. You can also drop in at their Waterfront Station office at 390-601 West Cordova St. Vancouver during business hours to check out their extensive resource area for small business.