Raymond, NH – The Regional Economic Development Center of Southern New Hampshire (REDC) will be hosting a local New Hampshire InnovateHER challenge, which is part of the national SBA’s InnovateHER 2016: Innovating for Women Business Challenge and Summit. The panel of judges for this competition include Taylor Caswell, Executive Director of the Community Development Finance Authority; Liz Gray, Director of Live Free and Start; John Hamilton, Managing Director of Vested for Growth; Mark Kaplan, CEO of Alpha Loft; Carmen Lorenz, Director of the New Hampshire Economic Development Advisory Council; and Laurel Bistany, President of the REDC.
REDC will be hosting this local competition on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at 5:30PM at the REDC Business Development and Resource Training Center in Raymond, NH. To be considered for this competition, entrepreneurs must first submit an application for review at www.redc.com/innovateher.php by Thursday, November 5, 2015. Audience space is limited. If you would like to attend the challenge to view the presentations, please RSVP your seat at www.redc.com/innovateherrsvp.php.
From the local competition, REDC will select one competitor to be submitted for consideration for the national InnovaterHER Final Challenge. The InnovateHER Challenge is a national prize competition aimed at unearthing products and services that impact and empower the lives of women and families through local business competitions that culminate in a live pitch Final Round. During the national InnovaterHER Final Challenge, up to 10 Finalists will compete for the Top Three cash prizes totaling $70,000 provided by Microsoft. This year, the national InnovaterHER Final Challenge will be held on March 16 & 17, 2016 in the Washington, D.C. metro area as part of a larger Women’s Summit.
Additionally, REDC will be hosting a Practice Pitch Event on November 12, 2015 from 9:00AM to 12:00PM at the REDC Business Development and Resource Training Center in Raymond, NH. This practice session is for any entrepreneur to present their idea for a product or service and receive feedback from REDC Business Advisors. This event is free and open to any entrepreneur, not just InnovateHER competitors. To attend this event, please RSVP to info@redc.com.
InnovateHER provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs throughout the U.S. to showcase products and services that have a measurable impact on the lives of women and families, have the potential for commercialization, and fill a need in the marketplace. To enter or learn more about the InnovateHER Competition, please visit www.redc.com/innovateher.php or call 603.772.2655.
REDC was established in 1994 as a non-profit economic development organization with a mission to serve new and growing businesses in Southern NH. REDC seeks to promote responsible, sustainable economic development activities within the 42 communities that reside in its territory. REDC does this by creating jobs for low-to-moderate income people, by accessing alternative financing for business, and industrial expansion or relocations, which in turn provides tax relief for communities within its region. REDC also provides free start-up and ongoing technical assistance, which supports businesses as they grow. For more information, please contact REDC at 603.772.2655 or visit www.redc.com.