Deadline nears for Cedar Rapids business funding competition

Applications are due Thursday for the Open 4 Business local funding competition

The event, at 8 a.m. April 19 at the Geonetric Building, 415 12th Ave. SE in Cedar Rapids, will provide a chance for local entrepreneurs and small businesses to grow their ideas in Czech Village-New Bohemia. The event is sponsored by Czech Village-New Bohemia Main Street, the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Main Street Iowa.

The winner of the local competition will receive $500, pitch coaching from the Iowa Startup Accelerator and Small Business Development Center, a 30-day Vault resident membership, an opportunity to pitch to the entire community at 1 Million Cups, and advancement to the substate pitch competition in June for a chance to win an additional $8,000.

Substate winners from across Iowa will make their pitch on Aug. 2 in Mason City for the state competition, with the grand prize winner receiving $20,000.

The competition is designed to provide financial and technical support for businesses that improve Iowa's Main Street districts. The local Main Street office can provide additional information and resources such as market analysis data to assist in completing the entry form.

Application materials available online at crmainstreet.org/open-4-business. The application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday.

The 2015 winner of the local competition was Lion Bridge Brewing Co. in Cedar Rapids. It went on to join Giving Tree Theater in Marion, Perfect Blend Gift Shop and Shortbread Co. in Mount Vernon, Building Grounds in Woodbine and Rockadot in Elkader as winners at the regional level of the competition.

The five companies competed at the state level on Aug. 26, 2015.