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Boost Your Business

Thank you for your interest in the 2009 Boost Your Business Contest on Forbes.com. The Entry Period is now closed.

Hanging in the balance: a $50,000 check and $50,000 advertising budget to the Grand Prize winner.

Of the entrepreneurs who entered the contest, just 20 will pass muster with our judges and make it to Round 2. At that point, we will post their submissions online, along with their self-recorded, 30-second "elevator pitch" videos.

Who will survive to compete in the grueling final round? YOU decide! Come back on August 17 to cast your votes.

See the complete details in the Official Rules

See Contest Timeline

 

"Forbes wants to celebrate gutsy small companies navigating this recession. Buoyed by a panel of experts, our contest aims to identify sound businesses with the most promise for growth--and to educate millions of other entrepreneurs on the hunt for capital."

—Brett Nelson
Entrepreneurs Editor, Forbes.com

  

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS TIMELINE

April/May ENTRY SUBMISSIONS - Community submits written business pitches via contest page on Forbes.com

June/July INITIAL JUDGING ROUND - Judging panel selects 20 semi-finalists; the submit a 30-second elevator pitch to support their write-up

August/Sept 2nd JUDGING ROUND - Forbes.com community votes on the 20 candidates, reducing the fields to 5 finalists

OCT PROFILES ROUND - Each finalist submits more detailed business plan to be profiled on Forbes.com

OCT PRESENTATIONS - Finalists convene in NYC and give live presentations (20 minutes apiece) to the judging panel; videos & business plans on Forbes.com for reader voting

NOV FINAL JUDGING ROUND - Expert panel & Forbes.com community online voting determine winner & runners-up

DEC GRAND PRIZE PRESENTATION - Reception & Award presentation at the Forbes Galleries