Semifinalists named in Southern Nevada Business Plan Competition

It’s that time of year again, and the semifinalists for the Dominic Anthony Marrocco Southern Nevada Business Plan Competition have been selected.

The business plans in this year’s contest represent concepts ranging from alternative energy and a trampoline park to dental stem cell collection and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Here are the 10 semifinalists in alphabetical order: American Green– earth Energy Inc., GovernSocial, Matrix Trampoline Park, ProStem, Radioactive Productions, Skyworks Aerial Systems, Smart Start, Soluminaire, WealthCare Connect and Webraind.

“I’m excited. I like the breadth of the semifinalists,” said Andrew Hardin, director of the UNLV Center for Entrepreneurship, co-sponsor of the competition.

At this point in the competition, Hardin said it’s a matter of the semifinalists taking the judges’ feedback and incorporating that in their plans. It’s still anyone’s game, and as always, contestants are welcome to seek guidance from Hardin or his staff.

This business plan competition is co-sponsored by the Las Vegas Business Press and the Center for Entrepreneurship at the Lee Business School at UNLV.

The winner of the annual Dominic Anthony Marrocco Southern Nevada Business Plan Competition receives working capital and business services meant to aid a company with its startup phase. The prize package for the 2014 contest, as of press time, included $30,000 cash and $40,000 in-kind prizes. Winners are set to receive a $20,000 advertising campaign in the Las Vegas Review-Journal or Las Vegas Business Press and $20,000 in executive office space and services from St. Rose Executive Suites. Prizes can be added up until the final awards reception April 4.

In addition to prizes, all contest entrants receive feedback on their business plans from the judging panel.

Those businesses interested in donating a prize or sponsorship should visit snbpc.com. Business plan resources also are listed on the site, as are contest updates. The five finalists will be announced March 31.

Contact reporter Laura Carroll at lcarroll@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @lscvegas on Twitter.