06 Oct MillerCoors' Urban Entrepreneurs business plan competition based on Web 2.0
Milwaukee, Wis. – MillerCoors has returned for the ninth consecutive year with its signature national business plan competition. Now called the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES), the award-winning program is back and better than before, moving to Web 2.0, the next frontier in communication methods, to reach the next generation of urban entrepreneurs. Introduced in 1999, the program assists and advises aspiring entrepreneurs; offering expertise in starting and maintaining a successful business, while providing opportunities for young entrepreneurs to compete for significant business grants.
“Since the MUES program’s inception, Miller Brewing Company has been honored to contribute to the advancement of our communities’ aspiring professionals by placing them on the path to success,” said Larry Waters, multicultural relations manager, MillerCoors, LLC. “Over the past nine years, we have responded to the call to empower our young entrepreneurs by not only providing them expert advice and analysis, but by providing them the necessary tools and funding to effectively develop and launch their businesses.
“As technology continues to evolve everyday, through the joint venture of Miller and Coors Brewing Companies, MillerCoors continues to evolve with it. Each year, MUES helps take new urban businesses to the next level and this year, the program has advanced innovatively, reaching a larger network of young entrepreneurs through Web 2.0 communication methods.”
Over the years, the two-part program has consisted of a Business Plan Competition and a Seminar Series. For 2008-2009, the latter has been transformed into a Webinar Series, a seminar hosted on the Internet as MUES continues to empower future business owners on their various paths to success. Webinars will be hosted by selected facilitators and will be focused on the following topics:
- “Putting a Brilliant Idea to Paper: Developing a Workable Business Plan,” Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008.
- “You Do the Math: Understanding Your Financials,” Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008.
- “Inc. Versus LLC: Choosing the Right Legal Structure,” Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008.
MUES is also re-launching its interactive Web site, http://www.millercoorsmues.com, which features valuable information regarding not only the business plan competition, but also is a highly resourceful tool for aspiring entrepreneurs. Through the site, future business moguls can seek advice and tips from business professionals, gain valuable insight from previous winners through their blogs on MUES Talk, and get an exclusive, behind the scenes look at the competition through MUES TV.
Aspiring entrepreneurs also can use the site to get a glimpse inside the minds of the competition’s judges through their profiles and feedback from previous years, as well as peruse on relevant business development articles. The Web site also includes the MUES business grant competition application and guidelines.
“The MUES program empowers companies like ours to have a lasting, positive effect on communities through the creation of employment opportunities and enterprise in urban areas,” said Monica Coleman, 2007-2008 grand prize winner and co-owner, Creative Connections Mobile Barbershop in Atlanta, Georgia. “One of the targets of the REACH Platform is Employment, and this grant has allowed us to hire a sales consultant, which illustrates the immediate impact it’s already had in our community.
“Miller is one of the few companies that can take pride in, and credit for assisting small businesses like ours with making their business concepts successful realities. We are honored to now be part of that legacy.”
Call for entries
An integral component of MUES is the Business Plan Competition, which concludes with grants awarded to young professionals to invest as start-up capital for their new or existing businesses. This year’s top winner will be awarded a $50,000 grant, and four others will receive grants of $25,000 each.
The competition is open to participants between the ages of 21 and 35, and the deadline for entries is Monday, December 1, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. (CST). Over the course of the MUES program, approximately 1,400 business plans have been submitted and Miller has awarded a nearly $1,000,000, benefiting more than 100 urban entrepreneurs throughout the nation. More than half of these businesses are currently operational, benefiting urban communities by providing jobs and sustaining economic growth and development in sometimes-blighted communities.
To support the program, MillerCoors, LLC is continuing its relationships with its community partners, including the Atlanta Business League, the Chicago Urban League, the Detroit Urban League, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dallas, the Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas, Recycling Black Dollars of Los Angeles, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Urban League.
For more information on MUES, official rules, requirements of the Business Plan Competition and helpful resources for developing a business plan, visit http://www.millercoorsmues.com.
About MillerCoors
Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MillerCoors brews full-calorie beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni, Pilsner Urquell and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and the Sparks line of caffeinated alcohol beverages. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the Leinenkugel’s 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to become the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.