Entrepreneurial spirit sought
By LAURIE WINSLOW World Staff Writer
It's time for entrepreneurs of all kinds to submit their business ideas for the SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
The annual competition kicked off Tuesday at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame as entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs gathered with business leaders, past winners and others to learn more about the contest, which will award $30,000 to the first-place winner.
This is the fourth year for the competition, but the first time that SpiritBank and Tulsa Community College have teamed up to be the title sponsors. Previously, the competition was called the Mayor's Entrepreneurial Spirit Award sponsored by SpiritBank and was led by former Mayor Kathy Taylor.
"It is exciting to take a concept Sean Griffin birthed, the city of Tulsa nurtured and now Tulsa Community College and SpiritBank will launch into its next level of competitiveness and sustainability," Taylor said in a written statement. "Entrepreneurism is the spirit of Tulsa, and TCC and SpiritBank will keep that spirit alive."
TCC has been involved with the competition over the past couple of years, in part, as a sponsor of the Tulsey Awards, which is an outgrowth of the Spirit Award and is a publicly driven contest where people submit online nominations in several categories. Carol Messer, provost of TCC Southeast Campus, also was a member of the mayor's Spirit Week planning committee, said TCC President Tom McKeon.
The new partnership with SpiritBank is a natural evolution and ties in with TCC's mission to promote economic development and retain jobs in Tulsa, said McKeon, in an interview prior to Tuesday's kickoff.
"The awards provide a great venue to promote innovation and the development and growth of new business," he said.
The competition creates an opportunity for entrepreneurs who have great ideas, and gives them a lot of support, McKeon said. While the recognition and prizes that come with the awards are great, it's the experience of working with the mentors throughout the process that is beneficial to these individuals, he said, adding that it's exciting for people who begin with an idea to then start a company in the Tulsa area.
Aside from the new combined partnership, this year's Spirit Award will follow the same process as last year.
"I think those people who have worked on the competition have refined it now, and it is something that brings out some really talented persons and ideas," SpiritBank CEO Albert "Kell" Kelly said in a phone interview.
"This year, because of the past winners and the competition, I think you'll have a higher level of finalists even beyond what we've had in the past. I think we'll see some really adventuresome and truly novel contestants."
Said Kelly, "Entrepreneurship is really what has spawned the American economy. It's why we have a strong capitalistic-based society.
"This competition stands for that independent individual who can go out and create commerce and create jobs and truly still have the ability to capture the American dream."
SpiritBank/Tulsa Community College Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
Criteria: The competition is open to anyone with a business ranging from a startup to a company that has been in operation for up to five years, or to those with simply an idea for a new business.
Entrants do not have to be based in Tulsa, but must agree to establish or expand in Tulsa if they win.
IMPORTANT DATES:
April 6 to May 13: Entrants can electronically submit executive summaries
June 7: Top 25 entrants will be notified
July 15: Top 12 semi-finalists notified
Sept. 20: Top seven finalists notified
Nov. 16: Winners announced
PRIZES:
First place, $30,000
Second place, $5,000
Third place, $2,500
More details are available at tulsaworld.com/spiritaward
Source: Tulsa World