ENID, OKLAHOMA — Autry Technology Center is accepting applications for the 2024 Cherokee Strip Business Model Competition, with the deadline for applications being February 29th.2024.
The top four teams will be awarded a total of up to $30,000.
“The Business Model Competition is a great opportunity for local businesses and entrepreneurs to present their concepts to an experienced panel of judges,” said Meredith Westphal, Workforce Development Specialist at Oatly Tech. “Competitors can gain incredible feedback and access to seed capital. This is also a great way for companies to gain exposure in the local market.”
Eligible businesses must be less than five years old, and preference may be given to businesses operating in the Enid and northwest Oklahoma trade areas. The competition consists of three phases: business plan submission, 15-minute oral presentation, and third presentation in front of the judges. Four winners and one People's Choice winner will be selected. The top three winners will receive a community desk in Autry’s Strate Center coworking space for up to one year.
Since its inception in 2012, more than $210,000 in seed capital has been awarded through this contest. Funding for the contest is provided by Northwest Oklahoma State University, Northern Oklahoma University, Enid Regional Development Alliance and Autry Tech. If you are interested in donating, please contact Tambi Brown for more information at tbrown@autrytech.edu .
First place in last year's competition was Tea and Country Estate, which received $10,000 in seed funding. In second place was CroChic Styles, who won $5,000. Third place went to his EH Metal Works, which received $3,000. Fourth place goes to OnPoint Operations Group, for which he received $1,500 in seed funding.
For $10,000, Niki Schrader and Lauren O'Brien of Tea and Country Estates can buy their business, which features a family farm eight miles north of Enid and opens in 2022. He said a lot could be done for the
For more information about the Cherokee Strip Business Competition and to apply, visit autorytech.edu/scbmc2024 or contact Meredith Westfahl at (580) 242-2750 or by email at mwestfahl@autrytech.edu.
