FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 
July 14, 2008                                                                          

 

Redding Sets the Stage for Entrepreneurial Competition
Calling All North State Entrepreneurs!

(Redding, CA)  If your great idea or innovative business is ready for a challenge and opportunity to receive some fantastic exposure to key professionals, venture capitalists, and $25,000 in cash and prizes, then the next Venture Island Challenge is for you!


          Taking place in Redding this fall following the success of Chico’s 2008 event, Venture Island is a three month competition geared to identify and add value to the best and most innovative companies in the region. It’s a must attend networking event for entrepreneurs, executives and investors. Contestants will be instructed and guided by the most established business owners in the North State. From challenges, coaching and training, and peer to peer mentoring, to ultimately naming an overall winner, the competition will be the must see event for everyone (even audience members can vote for their favorites).

 

 To compete, entrepreneurs must be located and plan to remain in the region, have scalable growth potential beyond the North State and have gross annual revenues of less than 1M per year. The first step in the process is to submit a no more than 3-page executive summary by August 4, 2008. Workshops are being scheduled to assist entrepreneurs with the summary.

 

Northern California’s own Ken Hill, a successful entrepreneur and owner of the Trinity Theatre in Weaverville, Prime 11 Cinemas in Anderson and Riverside Plaza Cinemas in Red Bluff, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the competition.

          

"Venture Island provides a unique opportunity for North State entrepreneurs to showcase their talents,” said Gerry Gitchell, McConnell Foundation CFO. “I was extremely impressed with the contestants and with the format. Venture Island is an entertaining and educational way to bring entrepreneurs and potential resources together."

 

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