2024 Business Plan Contest (above)
(L to R): Rita Dorsey (judge); Alexander Marc (3rd Place); Angelina Garcia (1st Place); Nana Yaw Gyamfi (judge); Amy Killian (judge);
AJ Nwoga, M&T Bank; Katie Hanna (judge); Mia McGuffin (2nd Place); Paula Baldwin, M&T Bank; and Melissa Lentz (judge).
The 12th Annual FCC Business Plan Contest is open to any current FCC student enrolled in one or more credit or non-credit classes during the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
Students with a business idea will develop a complete business plan to be evaluated by a panel of local business leaders. The top three finalists will be awarded a scholarship from the FCC Foundation.
Contest Scoring
Written business plans are scored by the panel of judges based on established criteria. The students with the three highest scoring plans will be invited to provide oral presentations to the same panel of judges. Like the popular television show, “Shark Tank,” the final oral presentations should be formatted as an “elevator speech” or “pitch” for the business idea.
The panel of judges will score the oral presentations and scholarship prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest combined scores from the written plans and oral presentations.
Scholarship Prizes
- 1st place: $2,500 Scholarship
- 2nd place: $1,500 Scholarship
- 3rd place: $1,000 Scholarship
Scholarship prizes are sponsored by the FCC Foundation, Inc. and may be used at FCC or a transfer college. Scholarships are not transferable to other students.
Contest Requirements & Deadlines
Students who wish to enter the contest must:
- Submit an Intention to Compete Application by Friday, March 7, 2025, 11:59PM EST.
- Submit a Final Written Business Plan by Friday, April 11, 2025, 11:59PM EST.
Early submission of the written business plan is encouraged.
- The Top Three Finalists will be notified via email by Friday, April 18, 2025.
- Final Presentations will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2:00 PM - 3:30PM in the FCC Conference Center (E126).
The final presentation should be modeled after a typical “Elevator Speech” or “Pitch.” See Contest Instructions below for more information.
CONTEST RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS
OFFICIAL SUBMISSION LINKS
Questions?
Students are encouraged to contact the following FCC Professors for advice or questions regarding their business plans:
Larry Devan
Assistant Professor, Business
[email protected]
Rick Dillon
Adjunct Faculty, Computing & Business Technology
[email protected]
Tom Mazerski
Adjunct Faculty, Computing & Business Technology
[email protected]
Contest Committee Members
Larry Devan
Charles “Rick” Dillon
Thomas Mazerski
Doree Lynn Miles
Susan McMaster
Karen A. Wilson
2025 Contest Judges
Katie Hanna, CB, President & CEO, Details Matter Bookkeeping & Advisory
Melissa Lentz, Owner, Mjach Designs
Dave Schmidt, Owner, Frederick Air
Steve Schmidt, Owner, Frederick Air