NCW Business Competition Launches, Attempt to Help Grow Small Businesses

The Supernova Business Launch Competition was officially unveiled last week, but the competition won't kick off until January - leaving plenty of time for hopeful young businesses to join in on the competition. The competition will extend over several months until the North Central Washington Economic Development District reveals the winner in June 2020.

"The mission behind it is to grow small businesses throughout North Central Washington," said Alyce Brown, event manager for NCWEDD.

The competition would serve as a means to eliminate employment barriers, such as affordable housing, transportation and healthcare access, and create jobs within these small businesses as the companies grow.

"What we hope to do is help drive young, small businesses. Part of Supernova, what it's going to do is work off a point system so if they were to hire someone that has barriers with employment, they will receive additional points," said Brown.

Despite there only being one business chosen next June for the cash prize to jumpstart the business, Brown reminds those participating there are many opportunities that could roll over from the competition beyond being the selected winner.

"Any business that becomes an applicant will go through a series of workshops, bootcamps," said Brown. "Even if they're not the winner, they're going to come out of this with a solid business plan."

Some of the partnerships and sponsors involved in the event include local chamber of commerces, Wenatchee Valley College Microsoft and GWATA.