Rural Entrepreneurship Challenged Launched at McDonough
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has teamed up with the McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative (GSEI) and the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Initiative’s StartupHoyas to create the Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge. This new competition is an opportunity for students to put their best ideas and business innovations to the test. The Farm Bureau Rural Entrepreneurship Challenge is a key component of the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative, a joint effort between AFBF and Georgetown McDonough.
“Through the challenge, we will identify rural entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and help them remove any barriers standing between them and a viable, emerging business,” said Lisa Benson, AFBF’s director of rural development. “Winners will get initial capital, as well as mentoring to take them from innovative concept, to strategy, to reality. Farm Bureau recognizes that great business ideas can germinate anywhere, and we’re excited to see what our members will bring to the table.”
The inaugural challenge is accepting applications through September 15, 2014. Ten semi-finalists will be announced at the National Summit on Rural Entrepreneurship at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business on Tuesday, October 14. The summit is sponsored jointly by AFBF, GSEI, and the White House Rural Council. Finalists will then pitch their business ideas to a team of judges at the AFBF 96th Annual Convention. There, participants, who must be based in a rural county, will compete for the Rural Entrepreneur of the Year Award and prize money of up to $30,000 to implement their ideas. Visit http://www.strongruralamerica.com/challenge to sign up.
“Bolstering economic growth through entrepreneurship strengthens not only rural America, but all of America,” said Ladan Manteghi, executive director of the Global Social Enterprise Initiative. “Our partnership with Farm Bureau combines complementary assets to bring educational tools, business expertise, incentives such as the challenge, and mentorship to rev up new business concepts and rural economies.”
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Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
