Vision to Venture Winfield Start-Up Showdown Event

Information Registration

Resources Questions

Vision to Venture: Winfield Start-Up Showdown Event SCHEDULE...

 

• Monday, Dec. 1st -

  Registration Opens Online

  • Three age categories: Youth (14 and below), Young Adult (15-21), Adult (22 +)

• FRIDAY, MAY 15TH -

  Registration DUE by 11:59pm

• Wednesday, April. 15th -

  Business Classes begin at Deets Library

• Wednesday, June 3rd -

  Final draft of business plan due via email

• Wednesday, June 10th -

  Vision to Venture: Winfield Start-Up Showdown Event - 6pm-9pm: Deets Library

Sponsors

Information

Southwestsern College, Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Winfield Economic Development, and Cowley County Economic Development Partnership invite you to submit your business plan idea for a chance to compete in the 2026 Vision to Venture: Winfield Start-Up Showdown Event! You will have a chance to present your business idea to a room of business owners and community members for a chance to win cash prizes! You also have access to potential funding opportunities of $10,000 or more!

HOW TO ENTER

Please submit your business plan in the form below. Entries are accepted from December 1, 2025 through May 15, 2026 11:59pm.

NEW THIS YEAR:

We are offering those who enter the chance to get professional feedback and help during 5 business classes. These classes are highly encouraged; however, they are not required. Participation in the courses will be a factor in the scoring rubric.

Courses will be given at SC Deets Library, from 6-7:30pm. Babysitting and a meal will be provided.

• April 15 - Business Development Basics
• April 22 - Developing your Business Brand and Marketing Basics 
• April 29 - Finances
• May 13 - Writing a Business Plan
• May 20 - Organizing as a Business - legal, filing, licensing, etc.

Presentations will take place at Deets Library on the Southwesstern College campus, Wednesday, June 10th from 6-9pm.

RULES AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Competition is open to start-up businesses, current businesses with expansion ideas, and ideas in development.
2. Competition is open to any student or individual in the Cowley County region. Entry is FREE. There are three categories: Youth (14 and below), Young Adult (15-21), Adult (22 +)
3. The event has four stages:
   1. Written Proposals Submitted: December 1, 2025 through May 15, 2026.
   2. Attend Business Courses - get a certificate
   3. Resubmit Business Plan by June 3rd, 2026 11:59pm - YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL INVITATION IF YOUR PROPOSAL IS BEING INVITED TO PRESENT
   4. Presentations: June 10, 2026 (bring course certificate to get credit on rubric) - TOP 3 PROPOSALS IN EACH CATEGORY WILL BE INVITED TO PRESENT
      1. Minimum cash prizes:
         • Youth: $250
         • Young Adult: $250
         • Adult: $500
4. While all entries are welcome, of special interest are proposals for innovations in or design of products, processes, systems, services or businesses that are economically sustainable and would positively impact our community.

FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

Written business plans are limited to five (5) pages of text (typed, 12-point font, and 1" margins on all sides). The cover page and table of contents are not included in the 5-page limit. Detailed spreadsheets and appropriate appendices should follow the text portion of the business plan; 5 additional pages are allowed for this section. Plans that do not use all 5 pages allotted to the appendices and spreadsheet section may NOT be used to increase the size of their 5-page business plan. In total, the maximum number of pages is 12.

INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BUSINESS PLAN

• Click HERE for information to include in your business plan.

• Click HERE for the scoring rubic in which you will be assessed.

Registration

Resources

Questions

  Carey Keller, M.ED

• Director of the Center for Career & Vocation
• carey.keller@sckans.edu
• 620-229-6006