Culpeper Competes

To inspire economic development and job creation in Culpeper, we are proud to present Culpeper Competes in partnership with the Central Virginia Small Business Development Center. Culpeper Competes is designed to encourage and develop an entrepreneurial spirit through business development education and mentorships to guide participants through the process of launching or growing their business. 

Courses will be presented at the Town’s Economic Development Center, 803 S. Main Street.  All course presentations will be streamed online for virtual attendance as well. Course participation is required to compete.  If you plan to attend virtual, please be prepared to have access to high speed internet during scheduled course times.

Example Business Categories

- Accommodations (i.e. hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, inn)
- Agritourism (farm retail shop and or consumer services)
- Arts, Entertainment, Experiential
- Cultural, Educational, Instructional
- Financial and Business Services
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Healthcare/Wellness
- Information Technology, SaaS, Communications
- Life Sciences, Biotech, Biomedicine
- Light Manufacturing
- Other
- Personal Care (i.e. beauty/barbershop, nail salon, dry cleaner, spa)
- Recreation
- Restaurant/Food Service
- Retail

Competitors will:

- Attend eight required business development courses
- Develop and submit a detailed business plan for scoring
- Competitors will meet with experienced mentors from -Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CVSBDC)

Competitors will be judged based on:

- Eligible finalists will deliver a pitch presentation to a highly-regarded panel of professionals
- Sales pitch
- Oral presentation
- Clarity and quality of written business plan
- Market analysis
- Financial analysis