LATHAM, N.Y. - - Sunmark Federal Credit Union, a full-service, community chartered credit union serving those who live and work in Albany, Schenectady, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schoharie and Rensselaer counties and All Over Albany, the website for the creative class in the Capital Region, have once again partnered together for the 2nd Annual Sunmark Startup Grant designed to increase financial resources available for micro businesses and start-up projects.
The Sunmark Startup Grant will give small and new businesses as well as Capital District musicians and artists the opportunity to compete for the chance to win a $1,500 award and receive free enrollment in the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneur Boot Camp program. Once again, the Capital Region readers of All Over Albany will help decide which opportunity gets that funding!
"Sunmark is excited to be able to offer the AOA Startup Grant again this year. It was very gratifying to personally provide last year's winners with the grant check on the site of their proposed aquaculture business and it is equally gratifying to see the project successfully completed. I was also pleasantly surprised by the number of applicants for the grant which demonstrates the definite need for this type of support for startup companies," said Bruce M.Beaudette, President/CEO of Sunmark FCU.
Throughout the process, the All Over Albany readership and general public will engage in the selection of two finalists out of the submissions. The third finalist will be selected by the All Over Albany editorial staff. The submissions of the finalists will then be reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of experienced entrepreneurs who have started successful businesses in the Capital Region: Blake Hanen -- founder and owner of Mealeo.com, Lissa D'Aquanni - former small business owner and director of community relations at the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and Rhea Drysdale -- founder and CEO of Troy-based online marketing firm Outspoken Media.
On May 23rd, the winner will be announced and presented with a $1,500 check courtesy of Sunmark Federal Credit Union. In addition to the cash prize, the winner will be receiving a donated enrollment in the fall 2012 session of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce's Entrepreneur Boot Camp, courtesy of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Entrepreneur Boot Camp, partially funded by a grant from the Empire State Development Corporation and sponsored by Sunmark, has a mission to provide local businesses with the knowledge, skills and resources needed to start or grow a business, and culminates with the development of a business plan that will keep their business or start-up on course and prepare for additional opportunities to get funding. For more information on the Boot Camp, log onto www.acchamber.org.
To view full contest details and to apply please visit: www.alloveralbany.com
Proposals are currently being accepted now through May 4th and must be sent via email at startups@alloveralbany.com.
About All Over Albany
All Over Albany (AOA) tracks what's interesting about the Capital Region -- people, food, stuff to do and things to know. AOA is a place to start conversations, connections, and your day. It's published by Uptown/Downtown Media LLC. To learn more, go to http://alloveralbany.com.
About Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce is a catalyst for growth and prosperity for its members and the Capital Region by providing leadership, advocacy and services. The Chamber has nearly 2,400 businesses and organizations as members, who employ more than 100,000 area residents. The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce is committed to the economic vitality of the region and actively works to ensure the continued growth and viability of Tech Valley. To learn more, go to http://acchamber.org for additional details.
About Sunmark Federal Credit Union
Sunmark Federal Credit Union
® is a full-service, community chartered credit union serving those who live, work, worship or attend school in Albany, Schenectady, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schoharie and Rensselaer counties in New York. Sunmark has assets of $400 million and serves more than 40,000 members and businesses. For more information, visit their web site at
www.sunmarkfcu.org.