Journeys of the Next Economy Hero
 

Contest Description: Inc. wants to hear from growing companies and determine who is the Next Economy Hero. These are companies that are helping the country get out of the recession by providing jobs, innovative work, and possibly new business models. Inc. and its partner, SAP, would like to provide the Next Economy Hero with tools to help them grow faster and continue to make a difference.

What is the deadline to enter?
March 4, 2011, 11:59:59 PM ET

Is there any cost to enter?
There is no purchase necessary to enter the contest.

What are the prizes?
All 5 finalists will win a free trip to Inc.'s GrowCo Conference, April 6 - April 8 in Las Vegas. Inc. will be responsible for air travel to/from Las Vegas, conference fees and hotel. Winners are responsible for ground transportation and meals outside of the Conference.

The grand prize winner will be announced in a conference session at the GrowCo Conference.

One grand prize

  • National Recognition
  • SAP Business ByDesign Starter Package Implementation and 1 year of subscription
    • The company judged to be the Next Economy Hero will receive the opportunity to implement a SAP Business ByDesign Starter Package. The Package is specially designed to give growing companies a fast start and affordable access to the world-class business process management capabilities you need to compete successfully.
    • The prize includes one year's subscription for between 10-20 users, and a standardized implementation project for one legal entity worth a combined total of $80,000. SAP and the winner will jointly decide whether SAP Business ByDesign is the correct solution for their business following a Scoping Workshop.
    • Note: SAP Business ByDesign Starter Package activation requires a no-cost, one-year, signed contract agreement between the winner and SAP.
    • To learn more about SAP Business ByDesign and the Professional Services Starter package, click here.
  • 1 year Membership for Inc. Navigator
  • 1 year of Strategic Advisory Services
  • Quarterly One day strategy work sessions - 3 via phone, 1 in person
  • Estimated value of $250,000

Four finalists will receive the following:

  • SAP Health Check
    • The 4 finalists will each receive an Enterprise Health Check, delivered by the specialist SAP Value Engineering team. This is a unique opportunity, as the high value SAP Enterprise Health Check (worth $20,000) is not generally available to the public and is used exclusively with selected customers and prospects to assess current strengths, identify areas for improvement, and begin to quantify the business value associated with enterprise software applications. The analysis compares your company against peers in the same industry and of a similar size. You will then receive a comprehensive, customized report comparing the efficiency and effectiveness of your company's processes and systems against best-in-class performers from around the globe.
    • Participation in the SAP Enterprise Health Check requires a moderate investment of executive time and resource within a specified timeframe.
  • Inc. Compass Full Report
  • 1 Year Membership in Inc. Navigator
  • 3 Months of Strategic Advisory Services
  • National Recognition as a Finalist
  • Estimated Value: $75,000

All entrants receive a 60 day trial of Inc. Navigator.

To enter the Contest, complete the entry form by providing all requested information; entry forms must be complete to be eligible; and in the space provided on the entry form, submit an original essay explaining why your company should be the Next Economy Hero. Your essay must:
(a) provide an overview of your business;
(b) describe your vision for your business's future;
(c) explain how your company is innovative, providing jobs and has strong growth potential;
(d) if applicable, detail how your company is socially responsible

Eligibility: Contest is open only to persons who, as of date of entry, are legal residents of one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia , are at least 18 years or older (or the age of majority in their state of residence if greater than 18, whichever age is older) and an owner or officer of the company . Alternately, owners/officers may grant permission to another party in their employ e.g. a public relations executive who they authorized to submit an entry on behalf of the owner/officer. In such cases the Sponsor retains the right to request documentation indicating that the person entering was granted permission to submit an entry on behalf of the owner/officer. This Contest is void in Puerto Rico, all U.S. territories and possessions, outside of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, and where prohibited by law.

The following entrants are not eligible:

  • SAP Customer or a subsidiary or division of an SAP customer
  • Active SAP Prospects
  • SAP Resellers and SAP Suppliers
  • Companies who employee family members of employees of SAP AG, their affiliates and subsidiaries

How will the Winners be determined? Judges will evaluate the submitted essays and registration forms, and select approximately 25 applicants to participate in phone screening (will be completed by March 18, 2011). After the phone screening, 5 finalists and 5 alternates will be selected based on the judging criteria (see Terms and Conditions). Five finalists will be sent to Inc.'s GrowCo Conference 4/6 - 4/8/11 to announce the Grand Prize winner.

Where can I find the official Terms & Conditions for the contest? Terms and conditions are available Terms & Conditions

I'm a member of the media and I'd like more information. Who do I contact? Darcy Lewis, Inc. Magazine, dlewis@inc.com