Seeds Milwaukee Corp., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is pleased to announce the commencement of its 2013 Retail Business Plan Competition. The Competition will provide start-up operating capital, in-kind business services, and mentoring by the Milwaukee business community to a select retail business that will operate in one of Milwaukee’s economically disadvantaged communities. The winner will be selected primarily by public voting at a live event to be held in September 2013.

Seeds Milwaukee was organized to support start-up retail businesses in Milwaukee’s lesser developed neighborhoods. Successful retail businesses will serve to attract foot traffic and consumer dollars to these areas, which in turn will foster an environment for additional businesses to take root. The spread of these businesses, and increased consumer patronage, should positively contribute to the economic development of these communities.

Entrepreneurs are invited to submit a retail business plan summary of 250 words or less by email to submissions@seedsmilwaukee.com. The deadline for submissions is June 23, 2013. The business plan summary must provide for a retail business that will operate in, and sell goods or services within, the neighborhoods specified on Seeds Milwaukee’s website (www.seedsmilwaukee.com). The Competition’s complete rules and requirements are available on the organization’s website.

Following the June 23, 2013 business plan summary deadline, Seeds Milwaukee will provide feedback and invite selected participants to develop their summaries into final business plan proposals. From these final proposals, Seeds Milwaukee’s selection committee will select and publicly announce a finalist group. Finalists will defend their proposals at a live event to be held at a Milwaukee venue in September 2013. Attendees at the final event, and the public at large, will vote for the Competition’s winner through a voting application on Seeds Milwaukee’s website. The winner will be provided a start-up business support package, which Seeds Milwaukee hopes will include $50,000 of start-up operating capital, in-kind accounting, legal, IT and design services, and ongoing mentoring by members of the Milwaukee business community.