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The Denver Office of Economic Development is hosting the second annual JumpStart Biz Plan Awards, offering publicity and top-notch prizes to the best startup business plans in Denver.

“The business plan competition is just one way the city is helping the small business community thrive,” Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said in a statement. “Through this unique citywide contest, we look forward to providing a boost to promising small businesses in Denver.”

Until August 2, applications are open for startups to compete for the grand prize of $50,000, one year of office space at Galvanize, legal counsel from Polsinelli, marketing services from dovetail solutions and mentoring services from TiE Rockies.

But the grand prize winner won’t be the only one to receive a little love: all competition participants will be awarded the cloud-based Business Plan Elte software package from AppIt Ventures, last year’s JumpStart Biz Plan winner.

"Winning the OED JumpStart Biz Plan competition had a profound impact on our company,” AppIt Ventures co-founder Rob Carpenter said in a statement. “It provided us with exposure we wouldn't have received and helped us nearly double our annual revenue in the months that followed.”

Winners, which will be picked by a panel of executives from Galvanize, dovetail and Polsinelli, will be announced during Denver Startup Week this fall. (Make sure you get in on this on all this action from September 16 – 21 too by submitting a session idea!)

To qualify for the competition, your company must have less than 25 employees, have been in business for less than five years, and, of course, be located in Denver. Make sure you apply before August 2 or before 150 entries have been received for your chance to be named this year’s JumpStart Biz Plan winner!