Rockville Businesses Up for Honors in Women’s Business Plan Competition

Two Rockville businesses are among 11 semifinalists in the Maryland Women’s Business Center’s StartRight! 2017 Business Plan Competition.

ESI Group, LLC provides legal services for electronic evidence discovery to solo attorneys and small law firms. Young Engineers Metro-DC, LLC teaches children age 6-10 the principles of science, technology, engineering and math, using motorized Lego bricks and other tools.

The statewide StartRight! competition encourages women entrepreneurs to write effective business plans that help position their companies for long-term growth. Now in its 14th year, the competition, which is open to businesses that are at least 51 percent women-owned and operating in good standing in Maryland for three years or less, includes counseling, pitch coaching, specialized workshops and other resources to support women as they develop solid business plans. Entrants vie for $13,000 in prizes, with a top prize of $5,000.

Winners will be announced at the Power Conference, a regional women’s business development conference, on Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Learn more at  www.thepowerconference.com.

Voting has closed, but video pitches by the semifinalists can be found at https://marylandwbc.org/startright-pick-the-pitch-2017. Learn more about the StartRight! competition at http://marylandwbc.org/our-programs/startright-business-plan-competition.