Funding for new startups and new business ventures of existing businesses in the Bradford, PA (McKean) community.

Do you have the next great idea?  Whether it’s a new app, a new product to be manufactured, a new store, a consulting business, or, perhaps a seasonal business, we want to help you make that idea a reality. 

The competition is open to anyone who would like to open a new business in the Bradford, PA area!  The competition is also open to any existing, local business that is interested in expanding into a new venture.

BIG PICTURE STUFF

Economic gardening is an economic development model that embraces the fundamental idea that entrepreneurs drive economies. This is a specific entrepreneurial approach to economic development that seeks to grow the local economy from within. We are embracing this concept for our community and want to support aspiring and established entrepreneurs.

Mission Statement:  To seed and support the formation of new business and/or new business opportunities of existing business.

The competition is part of a larger effort in re-invigorating the area's rich history of entrepreneurial spirit.  That spirit is an outcome of our heritage as the birthplace of the U.S. domestic oil industry.  Given that long-standing history and the profound impact of our current energy sector, the tag line for the competition is “The Spark to Fuel Your Business” and the business competition has been named in honor of Harvey L. Golubock.

PRIZES - WHAT WILL YOU WIN?

All applicants will gain valuable entrepreneurial skills, networking opportunities, visibility, and free services for the development of your business plan.

The winner(s) will receive up to $20,000 PRIZE MONEY plus in-kind services. Services include sessions with a business advisor on a regular basis for up to 12 months.

Additional prizes totaling $10,000 will be awarded to other finalists, including the $5,000 Fan Favorite Award, which is voted on by the audience. Please note, the grand prize recipient will be ineligible to recieve the $5,000 Fan Favorite Award.

The prize money is funded through corporate and philanthropic donations from Bradford and McKean County-invested businesses and organizations.

The 2025 Harvey L. Golubock Business Competition prize money is sponsored by the Blaisell Foundation, Halloran Philanthropies, Northwest Bank, and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The competition is possible year-after-year with the establishment and growth of the "Harvey L. Golubock Business Competition Fund" established at the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) to honor Golubock and to fund the competition in perpetuity.   Additional information regarding this fund can be obtained by calling the MCCF at 1-844-238-2289.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

The process is easy - let us know you are interested, develop and submit a business plan, and plan to pitch your idea.  This is good stuff! Here are the nitty gritty details….

  1. As a first step, fill out the business competition application (below). This step simply allows us to contact you with information to move forward. 
  2. Candidates will be asked to develop a business plan outline (2-3 pages). The Alliance Economic Development Specialist will assist you, along with our Small Business Development Center (SBDC), with the development of your outline free of charge. 
  3. ALL candidates must electronically submit their outline no later than Friday, September 5th, 2025 at 5:00PM EST.  All interested candidates must send their outline to [email protected]. Candidates are encouraged to submit their outlines as early as possible starting January 1, 2025.
  4. The outline will be reviewed and an interview may be conducted. Following any interviews, finalists will be selected. Finalists will be notified via email on Monday, September 15, 2025.
  5. Finalists will be invited to a Finalist Orientation on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 from 5:30-7:30PM.
  6. Finalists will be asked to immediately develop a full business plan. Finalists will work with the Alliance Economic Development Specialist, along with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to develop a full business plan utilizing the SBDC business plan template.  The SBDC will also assist with market research and financial projections. Again, all services are free of charge.
  7. Full business plans are due Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 5:00PM EST. Finalists should send their business plan to [email protected].  All submitted business plans must be developed using the SBDC business plan template, be reviewed by the SBDC prior to submittal, and be no more than 10 pages.
  8. To provide you with the best opportunity, Finalists are welcome to meet 1-on-1 to review pitch content and delivery anytime from Thursday, October 9 - Monday, October 20, 2025 - at a time convenient to the Finalist.  This could also be in the evenings or over the weekend.
  9. There will also be a dress rehearsal on the evening of Monday, October 27, 2025, which finalists must attend.
  10. Finalists will participate in a Live Pitch Event on the evening of Tuesday, October 28, 2025 where a panel of judges will select the winner(s). The event will be open to the public and will also be live-streamed on YouTube. Good luck to all applicants!