Prepare a winning biomass business plan concept for the competition.
The cash award total for the Competition will be finalized soon. We expect a Competition total of at least $95,000 split between two winners equally for a prize take away total of $47,500 each.
There will also be a technical awards package offered to all award winners including:
Awardees will also be able to leverage key contacts with individuals to secure feedstock contracts from various entities throughout the County.
The Competition will not be looking for fully completed business plans, but rather, well thought through business concepts. However, the more information provided on the logistics of the business concept will help the review committee make a decision.
The application will require two components including the Applicant Cover Sheet and an Executive Summary of the Business Concept (including financials) limited to 5 pages. In order to help guide applicants, several optional templates are provided below. Please ensure that your application addresses the goals, objectives and scoring criteria discussed in the RFP.
The Sonoma County Biomass Business Competition is requesting proposals to create economic incentives and markets which support fire safe vegetation management and avoids air pollution. The intent is for the selected awardee to play a critical role in utilizing wood waste that would have otherwise been a fire threat, or open pile burned. Through this Competition, we invite all eligible applicants to develop a business plan proposal to launch a new wood product industry in the region. We encourage all considerations for launching a new venture or expanding their existing business to build a wood utilization market. Competitive applicants will directly address what is explained in the RFP.
Applicants must submit an Applicant Cover Sheet, Executive Summary Business Concept (5p limit), Resumes, Articles of Incorporation for their business, and additional proof of concept to support business concept.
Please submit all applications to clarke@clereinc.net in PDF format by March 26th 11:59pm
February 1st Release Request for Proposals
Jan 27th - Feb 4th How to Write a Business Plan Zoom Workshops
March 26th First Phase Proposals due by 11:59 PM
April 26th Executive Committee completes Phase One reviews
April 26th - May 7th How to Pitch your Business Concept Zoom Workshops
June 4th Phase two Evaluation Questions Due by 11:59 p.m.
June 30th Business Pitch Competition
Early July Announcement of winners (subject to delay)
Mid July Disbursement of awards packages (subject to delay)
The Biomass Business Competition will employ a two phased review process. The first phase will be an initial evaluation of applicants based on how well they score according to our first phase Scoring Criteria. Applicants will need to have their application package submitted before March 26th, 2021. A panel of judges will notify applicants if they will continue to the second phase of the Competition.
How to Write a Business Plan Napa-Sonoma SBDC will be hosting four (4) free zoom workshops to review what will be important details to consider when writing a business plan. For more information on how to register go to the Napa-Sonoma SBDC website.
By April 26th, 2021 second phase applicants will be notified and sent supplemental questions about their first phase application. There will be general questions that we will be asking every applicant in addition to questions more specific to the business model. Applicants will limit their responses to 5 pages. Applicants need to respond by June 4th, 2021 to be considered for the Pitch Competition. Scoring for this phases of the Competition will be combined with the Pitch Competition
How to Pitch Your Business Napa-Sonoma SBDC will be hosting four (4) free zoom workshops to review what will be important details to consider when pitching a business plan. For more information on how to register go to the Napa-Sonoma SBDC website and check back in closer to workshop dates.
Once submitted, the review committee will assess each supplemental response and select the final candidates to proceed to the Pitch Competition hosted on June 30th, 2021. The Pitch Competition will be the final stage of the Biomass Business Competition and is mandatory. The selection of our winning applicants at this stage will be assessed on a number of criteria surrounding presentation skills and business acumen.
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Learn more abut the two grand prize winners, honorable mention, and runner-up projects. Please help us support these innovative local entrepreneurs!