Our Sponsors

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• The business or business idea must meet State of California small business definition.
  • (d) (1) (A) “Small business” means an independently owned and operated business that is not dominant in its field of operation, the principal office of which is located in California, the officers of which are domiciled in California, and which, together with affiliates, has 100 or fewer employees, and average annual gross receipts of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) or less over the previous three years, or is a manufacturer, as defined in subdivision (c), with 100 or fewer employees. Commencing January 1, 2019, the average annual gross receipts threshold shall be fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000).
• Must be a resident of Lake County.
• Applications for either a startup business or existing business will be accepted.
  • You can join the competition even if you don’t have a registered business yet. We welcome all applicants with a business idea which can grow successfully in Lake County.
  • We welcome applicants who are doing business in Lake County, either with storefront or online.
• Must submit an online application by the deadline. Incomplete applications may be disqualified.
• If approved to proceed, must participate in a 1-day training.
• If approved to proceed to mini-competition, must participate in the competition to be considered for the final competition.
• Mini and final competitions will be in person – no virtual presentations will be possible.
• We will observe any federal, state or local requirements that may be in place during all phases of the competition.
• If selected as a finalist, must attend all follow-up training and comply with presentation criteria and other requirements including dress rehearsal.
• If selected as an alternate, must attend all phases of the competition and be willing to step into the competition on short notice.
• All applicants must sign a Training and Media Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement.
• Cannabis related businesses are not eligible to apply (due to Federal laws).
• Prior applicants and alternates in the 2020 or 2021 business competitions may re-apply in 2022. Finalist in either competition are not eligible to apply.
• Other criteria as announced.

JUDGING CRITERIA FOR HANDS UP LAKE COUNTY BUSINESS COMPETITION 2022

There are three key stages in the competition, the application review; the mini-competition; and the final competition. Applicants are judged in each stage by a different set of judges.

• The Application Review: In this stage, 12 applicants and 2 alternates will be selected to advance to the 1-day workshop and mini-competition. The 1Team 1Dream Board of Directors, or a committee thereof, will evaluate all applications submitted and select the top 12 (including 2 alternates). The general criteria for this phase is:
  • The basics:
    • Late applications will not be accepted. Must submit application online by June 30, 2021.
    • Complete the application. Incomplete applications may be rejected.
  • The business concept/plan should address:
    • mission and values
    • financials – income, expenses, projections
    • market – product, customer base, outreach, competition
    • long-range goals – income, growth potential
    • business management –how will the business resources be managed to meet objectives
    • viability and sustainability – how will the business weather economic ups and downs
• The Mini Competition: In this stage, 12 applicants will present their business plan to a set of judges. The names of the judges will not be revealed until the day of the competition. The judges are business savvy, unbiased individuals who own or have owned businesses. They volunteer their time and follow instructions and specific criteria provided by the 1Team1Dream Board of Directors. The selection process is overseen by a member of the Board of Directors.
• The Final Competition: In this stage, 5 finalists selected in the mini-competition will pitch their business plan to a new set of judges. The names of the judges will not be revealed until the day of the competition. The judges are business savvy, unbiased individuals who own or have owned businesses. They volunteer their time and follow instructions and specific criteria provided by the 1Team1Dream Board of Directors. The selection process is overseen by a member of the Board of Directors.

NOTE: Applicants may find it useful to watch the videos of last year’s 1-day workshop, the mini-competition and the final competition available at https://1team1dream.net/. If you have any questions, send an email through the Contact form on the website.