Tom and Annie Pratt Entrepreneurial Award Program
This prestigious award was established by Tom and Annie Pratt, long-time supporters of Bellevue University who owned a successful travel business. Annie is a former board member and employee of the university, and her father, Clifton Batchelder, was a long-time member of the board and also a successful entrepreneur in the printing business.
Program Guidelines Recipient VideosHave you thought about starting or expanding a business of your own? You can take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to apply for the Tom and Annie Pratt Entrepreneurial Award.
Eligibility -Candidates must be currently enrolled in a Bellevue University program or alumni who have graduated within the last 3 years.
Resources -Before applying, click here (https://www.bellevue.edu/about/about-us/pratt-award/resources) to access resources to help you develop a business plan and prepare for the application process.
Applicants with winning proposals can receive awards of up to $5,000.
Recipients also make connections, receive faculty mentoring and Bellevue University recognition.
The Pratt Award can provide funding for your idea - whether it is:
- a concept (You have done your research, you raised some money, and you plan to start your own business in 6-12 month),
- a start-up (your business is ready to launch),
- a growth phase (your business exists but is ready for more).
Program Guidelines
Use of Funds – Award funds may be applied to a variety of business expenses to test an idea, advance a product or service to the marketplace, or grow a business in a new direction. Funding may be used for items including, but not limited to, patent application costs, advertising, building a prototype, market or product research, or equipment. Funds may not be used for businesses located outside of the United States. Award utilization is at the discretion of the award committee.
Items that are not funded: Rent, employee salaries, Insurance, loan repayment, utilities.
Selection – Award decisions are made by a committee of faculty and administrators.
Preference is given to proposals that can generate self-sustaining revenue/profit, job creation, and local economic impact.
Application – Candidates must submit a complete application to be considered for the Pratt Award. These are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will be notified within 60 days of your application with a decision. The application must be completed.
Optional Application Video –The video does not replace the application; it is a supplement to the application. Candidates are welcome to submit a video application. Videos should be kept to roughly one minute in duration, elevator speech style. (An elevator pitch is a brief (think 60 seconds!) way of introducing yourself, getting across a key point or two, and making a connection with someone.) Please use Closed Captioning when recording the video.
Oversight – Once selected, recipients will meet in person or virtually with mentors to outline and validate their program needs.
Reporting – Recipients will be contacted every 90 days by a mentor assigned to them. Brief written reports are required on the use of program funds and the progress being made. Recipients must use the funds and submit a Final Report within one year of the award. The final report must summarize outcomes and anticipated next steps and resource needs. Results may be highlighted in university publications, and local recipients may be invited to attend a meeting with the donors and university leadership.
If you have additional questions regarding the Tom and Annie Pratt Entrepreneurial Award Program, please contact Associate Professor M. Merrill Johnson at [email protected].
Recipient Videos
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