From the more than 80 business plans, two rounds of pitching, the final seven entrepreneurs will advance to the final round of the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award business model competition. On Thursday, November 5, the seven finalists will present a two- minute pitch to the panel of Spirit Award judges.

Let’s all congratulate the final seven finalists:
Blue Label Bartending, CogTogs, Inc., Elote Café and Catering, Filters4me.com, Part-Time Pros, Real Time Rehab and Target Solution Foods.

Prior to the final pitch, the seven finalists will have the opportunity to be coached in two main areas: business model and pitching techniques, and connect to resources and expertise to help polish their business plan and pitching techniques for the final round of judging.

The 2009 Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award winner will receive a check from SpiritBank for $30,000, second place with $5,000 and third place with $2,500. The top three will be announced during the Mayor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award ceremony that will be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week at the TCC Center for Creativity on Tuesday, November 17 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

For more information about Mayor Taylor’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, please visit the Web site at www.tulsaspiritaward.com.

On Thursday, November 19, 2009 Tulsa will celebrate and recognize the pioneers and innovators of the community at the 2nd annual Tulseys Awards.

With an online nomination and voting process, local entrepreneurs have the opportunity to be nominated in ten categories including: Civic, Emerging, Entertainment, Franchise, Green, Interactive, Legend, Serial, Young and the new category for 2009, Restaurateur. All entrepreneurs nominated in the public voting process will automatically be entered into the Entrepreneur of the Year

Starting Wednesday, September 16, nominations can be made through the Tulseys website, www.thetulseys.com, until Wednesday, October 7. Voting for the nominees will begin on Wednesday, October 15 and will end at midnight on Wednesday, November 4.

The Tulsey Award winners will be announced at the Tulseys celebration on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the world-famous Cain’s Ballroom from
7 – 11 p.m. Sponsorship packages are available for the event. For more information, visit www.tulseys.com