Sponsored by M&T Bank and the FCC Foundation, the 11th Annual FCC Business Plan Contest is open to any current FCC student enrolled in one or more credit or non-credit classes during the 2023-2024 Academic Year.

Students with a business idea will develop a complete business plan to be evaluated by a panel of local business leaders. The top three finalists will be awarded a scholarship from the FCC Foundation.

Contest Scoring

Written business plans are scored by the panel of judges based on established criteria. The students with the three highest scoring plans will be invited to provide oral presentations to the same panel of judges. Like the popular television show, “Shark Tank,” the final oral presentations should be formatted as an “elevator speech” or “pitch” for the business idea.

The panel of judges will score the oral presentations and scholarship prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest combined scores from the written plans and oral presentations.

Scholarship Prizes

• 1st place: $2,500 Scholarship 
• 2nd place: $1,500 Scholarship 
• 3rd place: $1,000 Scholarship

Scholarship prizes are sponsored by M&T Bank through the FCC Foundation, Inc. and may be used at FCC or a transfer college. Scholarships are not transferable to other students.

Contest Requirements & Deadlines

Students who wish to enter the contest must:

1. Submit an Intention to Compete Application by Friday, March 8, 2024, 11:59PM EST.
2. Submit a Final Written Business Plan by Friday, April 12, 2024, 11:59PM EST.

Early submission of the written business plan is encouraged. Students must use the submission link. Official rules, instructions, forms, and examples are provided below.

3. The Top Three Finalists will be notified via email by Friday, April 19, 2024.
4. Finalist Presentations will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 1:00 PM - 2:30PM in the FCC Conference Center (E126).

The final presentation should be modeled after a typical “Elevator Speech” or “Pitch.” See Contest Instructions below for more information.

Contest Rules & Forms

Contest Rules & Instructions

• Business Plan Contest Rules
• Business Plan Contest Instructions

Application Forms

• Intention to Compete Application
• Final Written Business Plan

Examples

• Financial Plan
• Financial Plan Example

Questions?

Students are encouraged to contact the following FCC Professors for advice or questions regarding their business plans:

Larry Devan
Assistant Professor, Business
[email protected]

Rick Dillon
Adjunct Faculty, Computing & Business Technology
[email protected]

Tom Mazerski
Adjunct Faculty, Computing & Business Technology
[email protected]

Contest Committee Members

Larry Devan 
Charles “Rick” Dillon
Thomas Mazerski 
Doree Lynn Miles
Karen A. Wilson 

2024 Contest Judges

Melissa Lentz, Owner
Mjach Designs
Certified Minority, Disadvantaged and Women’s Business Enterprise (MBE/DBE/WBE).
 
Katie Hanna, CB
President & CEO
Details Matter Bookkeeping & Advisory
 
Rita Dorsey, Owner
The Garage Food Truck, Restaurant, and Bar
 
Nana Yaw Gyamfi, Branch Manager
M&T Bank
 
Amy L. Killian, Assistant Vice President
M&T Bank

Special thanks to M&T Bank for generously providing the scholarship prizes through the FCC Foundation, Inc.