The Internet Biz 2010 Project Has Ended

This project was a great success, with over 100 local small businesses participating and 43 solid final submissions. Please visit the Award Summary page to see the contest winners and list of final submissions. This web site will remain live for a while for those who are interested in the process and the educational materials.
Contest RegistrationRegistration for Internet Biz 2010 is closed.

51 Descriptive Summaries of plans to use the Internet have been received.

Submissions of a Final Plan in order to be eligible for cash and services prizes are due February 22, 2010.

Need Assistance?

Learn about using virtual mentoring and then use the Virtual Mentor Forum to get help with creating a plan to use the Internet.

Welcome to Internet Biz – 2010

Internet Biz – 2010 was a project of the e-NEK program of the Vermont Council on Rural Development.  In partnership with the Vermont Small Business Development Center, a contest was organized to stimulate increased use of the Internet by small business owners and perspective entrepreneurs in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.  e-commerce Computer person Contest participants  submitted  plans for new Internet applications in existing or proposed small businesses, and competed for cash prizes, as well as services to assist with the implementation of these plans.  Cash prizes totaling $7,000 and up to $15,000 of services were awarded at the end of the contest.

But this project was not just about competing.  The real goal of the project was to increase the knowledge and productive use of the Internet in the NEK small business community.  Online learning Education on Internet topics for small business use, additional resources to assist with the development of  plans, and answers to frequently asked questions were available to all NEK small businesses.   Initial plans submitted were reviewed and contest finalists selected by a panel of judges.

Members of NEK community who have business or technical knowledge were invited to participate as mentors, and/or share ideas with NEK small business owners.

Although this program has now ended, the materials will remain online and may be used to run similar programs in other regions.