Business Plan Competition announces 2014 judges

Ray Mathieu (center) answered questions from would-be entrepreneurs a Rhode Island Business Plan Competition workshop on March 12, along with Blaine Carroll (left) of Delta Dental RI and Steve Lane (right) of Ximedica. Mathieu is one of 10 local business leaders and members of the Rhode Island entrepreneur community who will serve on the judging panel for the 2014 competition. / PBN PHOTO/JAIME LOWE
Ray Mathieu (center) answered questions from would-be entrepreneurs a Rhode Island Business Plan Competition workshop on March 12, along with Blaine Carroll (left) of Delta Dental RI and Steve Lane (right) of Ximedica. Mathieu is one of 10 local business leaders and members of the Rhode Island entrepreneur community who will serve on the judging panel for the 2014 competition. / PBN PHOTO/JAIME LOWE

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Business Competition has announced the 10-member judging panel for its 2014 contest, which will award prizes valued at more than $200,000 when the winners are named in May.

The 2014 Business Plan Competition judges are:

  • Roger Darois, vice president of research and advanced technologies for Davol Inc.
  • Larry Davidson, principal of Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co. Ltd.
  • Scott DePasquale, chairman and CEO of Utilidata Inc.
  • Margaret “Peggy” Farrell, partner at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP.
  • Mark Higgins, dean of the University of Rhode Island College of Business Administration.
  • Jeff Jefferson, partner at Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP.
  • Ray Mathieu, Slater Technology Fund board member and investor for Cherrystone Angel Group.
  • Sandra Potter, director of the Bryant University Global Entrepreneurship Program.
  • Shawn Scott, director of marketing for Collette
  • Christine M.B. Smith, director of innovation programs for the R.I. Commerce Corporation.

“We’re very fortunate to have a talented, diverse group of seasoned professionals who bring broad, business-building experience to this year’s judging roster,” said Farrell, co-chair of the Business Plan Competition. “We especially appreciate that they are willing to contribute their time and expertise.”

Founded in 2000 to help create “growth companies” that will bring jobs to the local community, the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition encourages plans for new businesses, as well as from early-stage companies. Judges will focus on originality, breadth of impact on the business community and likelihood of success in choosing finalists and winners.

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While applicants do not have to be Rhode Island residents, to be selected as a semi-finalist, applicants must agree to establish or continue business operations in Rhode Island should they be named a finalist or winner.

For more information about the Rhode Island Business Plan Competition or to learn how to apply, visit www.ri-bizplan.com. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 31.

The judging will be conducted during the month of April, and winners of the 2014 competition will be announced May 1 at The Garage, a half-day business expo hosted by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce at the R.I. Convention Center.

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