Statewide Business Grant Contest Now Accepting Entries
The award winning Dream Big Grow Here business grant contest is back. The initiative, a program of the UNI Regional Business Center, provides an opportunity for current Iowa businesses or individuals dreaming of starting a business to win up to $15,000.
The contest starts with six industry specific grant contests, where the winners will receive $5,000. Each of those winners then get the chance to pitch their business at the statewide EntreFEST conference in May, where the winner will receive an additional $10,000.
“We are excited at the changes we’ve made to the program this year around,” says program manager Rob Williams. “We’ve been hard at work expanding the contests to cover the entire state, and improve the entry process to ensure that every entrant will see significant value in participating in this year’s program- regardless of whether they end up receiving one of the business grants.””
The program, now in its fifth year, has won numerous national economic development awards for its innovative approach to helping Iowa businesses start or grow. For additional information or to apply, visit DreamBigGrowHere.com.
Dream Big Grow Here is an initiative of the University of Northern Iowa Business & Community Services division and is supported by a variety of statewide sponsors, including Renew Rural Iowa,VentureNet Iowa, IASourceLink, Iowa Bankers Association, and Veridian Credit Union.
