Intuit Business Grants Provide Economic Stimulus
Intuit Will Award $315,000 to Fifty Entrepreneurs This Spring
Feb 27, 2009
With an eye toward boosting America's sluggish economy and helping small businesses weather the tough waters of recession, Mountain View, California's Intuit Corporation has launched a bold "business stimulus" package. The package, which Intuit has dubbed the "Small Business United" campaign, will be giving away an impressive menu of goods, services, and cash grants in 2009.
About the Small Business United Stimulus Package
According to Intuit, Small Business United is designed to aid some 27 million American businesses by providing tools to save time and money while simultaneously expanding sales and customer base. Intuit plans to accomplish the task by distributing software, services, and cash to budding entrepreneurs and business owners throughout 2009. Intuit's major offerings include:
- Free Software. QuickBooks Simple Start Free Edition accounting software; QuickBooks Cash Register Plus retail management software; Homestead website-building software (free access for the first-year).
- Free Services. Intuit Online Payroll Service (free for six months); Intuit QuickBooks Online Terminal Credit Card Processing Services (free for six months); MyCorporation Incorporation and LLC Formation Services (free through July 31, 2009).
- Free Cash. $315,000 will be divided between fifty entrepreneurs beginning this April.
Small Business United Grant Competition Details
Intuit's cash grant competition is being rolled out in three phases:
Phase 1 - Story-Sharing/Written Submission. During Phase 1, entrants will submit compelling business stories which will be posted and rated online. Everyone who submits a story will receive a free copy of Intuit's Small Business Word of Mouth Marketing Toolkit, an Intuit Community profile page (enabling entrants to promote their businesses to more than 100,000 entrepreneurs), and a chance to win a share of the grant money. (Phase 1 kicked off on January 26, 2009 and will end on March 23rd. Entrants who receive the most ratings during this phase will be most likely to move on to Phase 2.)
Phase 2 - Selection of Finalists/Video Submission. A panel of judges, as well as members of the Intuit Community, will rate the entries during Phase 2. Fifty finalists will receive a Pure Digital Flip Video Camera, a $5,000 small business grant, and a chance to win $25,000 by submitting a video version of their story. (Phase 2 will begin on March 24th and end on April 30th.*)
Phase 3 - First Place and Grand Prize Grant Winner Selection. On May 5th, the panel of judges will announce four First Place Grant Winners who will take away $10,000 cash and $2,500 in Intuit products and services. The Grand Prize Winner---who will receive a whopping $25,000 small business grant and $2,500 in products and services---will also be announced.
In a Down Economy, Entrepreneurs Look Up
Despite the fact that many experts have adopted a gloomy economic outlook for 2009, Intuit's bold business stimulus package clearly demonstrates that the hopeful spirit of American entrepreneurship is still alive and well. If you would like to join the ranks of the optimistic by participating in Intuit's Small Business United grant competition, log onto the community's website and "Share Your Story" today!
*Finalists must submit a video in order to receive the $5,000 small business grant.
NOTE: For more information on small business grants, be sure to read NASE Small Business Grants Available in 2009 and South Carolina Entrepreneur to Award $500 Grant.
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