1^st Annual Business Plan Competition
Among High School Youth
Thursday, May 12^th, 2011, 12:00-1:30pm
Altadena Town & Country Club
Sponsor – Altadena Rotary

Entrepreneurial Literacy is urgently needed by new generations in this jobless economy to stimulate the formation of small businesses that lead to job creation. Rotarians have the business-savvy and leadership skills to provide this locally and internationally. We can do this as part of our vocational service outreach to our communities and the world.

Altadena Rotary has been conducting business plan competitions in area schools for 11 years and now, with the encouragement of DG Roger Schulte, has expanded the competition to other clubs in the district, similar to Dan Stover music awards.

You are invited to send high school students that have prepared a written business plan based on their own ideas and selected by a vocational service team from your club to this year’s competition.  Each business plan will be orally presented within 5 minutes (PowerPoint and other aids are allowed.)  A panel of judges will adjudicate the selection of the best plans.

Cash prizes will be awarded: $500 for 1^st place, $300 for 2^nd place and $150 for 3^rd place. All participants will receive Certificates of Excellence.

A submission fee of $100 per business plan is asked of each club for the pool of prize money and student meals.  Donations from other clubs and businesses are welcome and will be duly recognized during the competition.

Presently business plans are expected from students of San Antonio High School (Claremont Unified,) John Muir High School’s Business & Entrepreneurship Academy (Pasadena Unified,) Pasadena High School’s Graphic Communications Academy (Pasadena Unified,) and San Marino High School (San Marino Unified.)

A maximum of 6 plans will be accepted at this first year’s competition. If there are less than 6 plans submitted, clubs may request to submit a second entry. Future competitions will be developed regionally. Application forms are due by March 15, 2011, and will be available by email at ray@rotapreneur.com or from the District’s website.

As part of the Avenue of Vocational Service, your club is encouraged to conduct a series of classes in a local school to teach the basics of entrepreneurship and how to write a business plan. There are many business plan templates on the Internet and curricula for instructing youth. This can be taught during regular class hours or after school.  For details on this and how to start, contact

Competition Information and Rules
Entry Form

C. Ray Carlson, ray@rotapreneur.com    or    Ken Rowland, krowland@ca.rr.com
Tel 800-448-3456                                             Tel 909-447-0096