Support emerging entrepreneurs. The US has become a country where we no longer make much with our hands. What we make and what makes the country wealthy is Intellectual Property, new technologies, new methodologies. We’ve become the brains while the hands are increasingly elsewhere. This is how wealth is generated in the US today.

Unless you’re a Venture Capitalist or an Angel Investor, it’s difficult to find ways to efficiently invest in and support bright new ventures because there are few avenues. Our competition offers you a unique and exciting avenue. You can be involved, witness the incubation process and back the winners. To make this competition a reality, we need your time, talent and treasure.

Tax deductible contributions. Your donation to HBN-BIC is tax deductible. You will know you are investing in the future of the wider community. Everyone here is a volunteer and the entire HBN is a non-profit organization. We’re doing it because we love it!

Ethnic pride. Many ethnic and cultural communities take pride in their communities and people by investing in each other. This is an opportunity to spread Greek values and sensibilities, and to generate goodwill towards Greeks at home and abroad. It is a chance to benefit both the place you’re in – the Greek community in Boston – as well as the Motherland. Greeks have been regarded as traditionally savvy entrepreneurs but there needs to be more support for emerging entrepreneurs.

Open to everyone. The majority of BICs are university based. Yet, there is also great entrepreneurial potential within non-students. So many people of all ages and walks of life have great ideas but no idea how to bring them to market! You can be part of this exciting process for the next big thing. Imagine translating your intangible idea into a market player that adds value and generates wealth! Entrepreneurship is good for the wider community. Everybody wins from inventing and investing in new ways to generate wealth.

Participants of the Big Idea Competition will receive the following services and benefits:

• Online forum. At www.hbngroup.org/bicforum, aspiring entrepreneurs can form teams even if they do not yet have a business idea. Here, they can develop their business vision and networks.
• Networking events. Entrepreneurs may participate in the specially designed team-formation/ networking events held throughout the fall (see Calendar at www.hbngroup.org/bicevents).
• HBN community. Entrepreneurs connect to the HBN circuit and can attend HBN's NAW (Networking After Work) held on the third Thursday of each month at 8pm at Boston’s Four Seasons Hotel “Bristol Lounge”.
• Video conference. Entrepreneurs can use video conferencing to aid their business plan development.
• Investor exposure. The HBN-BIC functions as a meeting point for entrepreneurs and investors. The HBN-BIC will also match entrepreneurs with investors by interest areas through events.
• Mentorship. Entrepreneurs receive help with team formation and idea refinement through mentors.
• Professional feedback. All participants receive feedback from qualified judges on submitted plans.
• Publicity. Entrepreneurs will be exposed to a host of professional contacts, including potential employees, customers, consultants, accountants, lawyers, and others affiliated with the business plan competition.

You can financially support the HBN-BIC through individual, foundation, and corporate contributions, [as follows]:

1. Individual support. You can make individual contributions to HBN-BIC. Perhaps you have a successful business of your own, and appreciate the mentoring you received along the way. You can now help support new entrepreneurs as HBN-BIC grows through your individual financial contributions. You will receive a tax-deduction for this contribution since HBN is a registered non-profit organization. You and other individual donors will also be recognized on our web site, unless you wish to preserve anonymity.
2. Foundation support. The HBN-BIC welcomes conversations with foundation affiliates about this new venture. If your organization supports such initiatives, just let us know. We can provide a detailed business plan and testimonials at your request.
3. Corporate support. Your company or small business can support the HBN-BIC through our Sponsorship Program. Sponsors can give at four different levels, ranging from the “Big Idea Friend” sponsorship level at $1,000 to the “Big Idea Founder” sponsorship level at $10,000. The benefits for each of the four levels include:

You can participate in the Big Idea Competition as an Investor, as investment opportunities will abound. The HBN-BIC will provide potential investors with efficient exposure to a large number of quality ideas. Investors can monitor the process and choose a team to back during or after the final results of the competition. As an investor, you can become a part of a competing or winning venture to ensure its success in the future. You can also have a say in its development, participate on the board of directors or negotiate an equity position or other return on investment plan.
I have no money to give and/or no interest in giving money, but would like to be involved in some way. What are my options?

Your talent and time are just as welcome as your treasure. We have several different ways you can contribute beyond a financial gift. We’re looking for Volunteer Organizers, Judges, and Mentors to help us in our efforts. Just let us know what you think seems to be the best fit.