Taiwanese Merchants Association (“TMA”) and Taiwanese American Professionals – New York (“TAP-NY”) are launching the 1st Entrepreneur Challenge & Competition (“ECC”) where creative Taiwanese American entrepreneurs get the chance to present novel ideas (e.g., tech start-up, non-profits, hedge funds, food trucks, jewelry and fashion) to a panel of distinguished judges and compete for cash prizes up to $10,000. Our goal is to create a platform for Taiwanese Americans to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and inspire the community. COMPETITION OVERVIEW
For the First Round, contestants must submit their proposals in English in PowerPoint format to competition@tap-ny.org before August 15th, 2012.
In the Second Round, TAP-NY will ask the Top 15 teams to present in front of a panel of experienced business and industry leaders.
On the day of the competition (Final Round), the Top 6 will present in front of a distinguished group of judges. Each team will get 10 minutes to present with a 5 minute Q&A from the panel of judges. Judging will be based on these criteria:
• Presentation
• Likelihood of long term success
• Ability to execute
• Market opportunity
The judges will select one overall winner to receive an unrestricted cash prize of $9,000. The audience will also select an “Audience Favorite” who will receive an unrestricted cash prize of $1,000.
TEAM REQUIREMENTS
At least 1 member of the core team is Taiwanese American or Taiwanese (and a U.S. resident); or, the product is directly beneficial to Taiwan
The team cannot have raised more than $250,000 capital by June 15 for the idea/product
Age limit is 18 to 40 years old
IMPORTANT DATES
• JUNE 15: Plan submission open
• AUGUST 15: Plan submission deadline
• AUGUST 27: Top 15 announced
• SEPTEMBER 1-2, 8-9: Presentations to TAP-NY Panel (at Manhattan location)
• SEPTEMBER 10: Top 6 announced
• SEPTEMBER 15: Competition Day (at Manhattan location)
For more, visit: http://competition.tap-ny.org.