SCORE, Sam’s Club Sponsor National Small Business Competition

SCORE launched the fourth annual American Small Business Championship — a national competition to celebrate small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the nation, made possible with a grant from Sam’s Club. The open call for applications begins today, and will award two small businesses from every state and the District of Columbia with a $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card, an all-expense paid trip to a training and networking event in Dallas, and mentoring from small business experts at SCORE.

From those 102 small business honorees, three Grand Champions will each win a grand prize of $25,000. A judging panel of small business experts will name the Grand Champions based on how effectively they utilize the initial prizes to grow their business.

“We are thrilled to have Sam’s Club sponsor this program to celebrate small business owners for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the success of their businesses,” said David R. Bobbitt, president of the SCORE Foundation and vice president of development at the SCORE Association. “This competition allows us to showcase the diverse representation of owners and the variety of products and services that make up the small business landscape in this country.”

The 2016 Grand Champion Garrett Takach, co-owner of Ninja Park Obstacle Fitness Gym, used his $25,000 grand prize to fund a training program for children with autism.