GK Folks Entrepreneurship Award Competition

A competition to help businesses raise funds for their business and gain access to resources and capital.

Competition Structure

This competition is designed to support entrepreneurs in raising funds for both their businesses and the GK Folks Foundation. Participants will not only gain access to valuable resources, mentorship, and exposure but also have the opportunity to attract capital and support for their ventures. The ultimate goal is to empower small businesses.

Voting will happen in three phases: 

• Initial phase: Top 20 advances to Semi-Final
• Semi-final: Top 10 Advances to Final
• Final Voting Round: The top 5 winners are selected

Each phase lasts two weeks
The competition starts on April 1st, 2025
​Award Ceremony scheduled for May 16th, 2025 (Location and time TBA)

Voting Mechanism

Cost: $3 per vote

• $1 to the Business
• $1 to GK Folks
• $1 for the Processing platform
  
  

Example: 1,000 votes equals $1,000 for the business.
Benefits for all participants: Keep the funds they raise.

1. You raise money for your business by having people vote for you. A vote is $3, so if you raise 1000 votes that is $1000 that goes to you and your business
   
2. Opportunity to get featured in Utah Business magazine
   
3. And get mentored by Utah's Top CEO's

Top 5: Additional benefits and access to resources

• Access to Capital from our Lending partners
• Free Cyber Security Analysis of Your Business
• Free (Worth $5000) Brand new Business website if needed (Hosting not included) 
• Business AI integration/adaptation
• Social Media coach 
• Be Assigned an Expert Professional Business Advisor
• One-on-one, customized consultation with a business advisor biweekly or monthly throughout 2025. Topics of consultation will be based on the needs of your business.

Topics could include but are not limited to

• Personalized Market Research Reports customized to industry, product or service type, competition, site evaluation, etc. from high-value subscription databases and other sources
• If B2B business, a list with contacts of potential clients or customers
• If in need of funding, a list with contacts of potential funding sources
• Financial Analysis of Your Business
• Assistance with Business Plans and Financial Projections
• Introduction to other business service providers

TOP 5 WINNERS

Winners will receive an exclusive resource workshop the 1st week in June 2025.

Winner's Additional Benefit

• Monetary Reward for the Winner: Amount raised through votes X 2

For example, if you raise $2000, that will be doubled to $4000 for the winner.

To Participate: Send your logo, a short description of your business, and why people should vote for you to [email protected] on or before March 31st.