“Small Business Breakthrough” Offers a Head Start for New Startups

Starting a new small business is never easy, but sometimes there are resources available to ease some of the burden.

Small Business Breakthrough, sponsored by web.com and the Jacksonville Jaguars, offers a chance at an amazing head start.

The competition, which has been taking entries from small businesses based in Northeast Florida and Southwest Georgia throughout the month of May, offers its winner a prize package valued at $250,000. It includes a website re-design courtesy of Jacksonville-based web.com, and a year-long sponsorship deal with the Jaguars consisting of a video board advertisement, club seats, and promotional appearances by Jaguars players and coaches.

The competition is taking entries until May 31, and up to six finalists will be announced by June 10.

The finalists will be judged by a panel, being referred to as The Cage, in the style of ABC’s “Shark Tank”. The panel will be composed of Jaguars owner Shad Khan, web.com CEO David Brown, and Jaguars president Mark Lamping. This portion of the competition will take place in June and July.

The winner of last year’s inaugural competition, Modasten, has already begun to reap the benefits. The company, which specializes in selling sunglasses made from recycled skateboards, received a free web design from web.com to attract customers. This coming football season, it will also receive prominent advertising courtesy of the Jaguars.

Having the boost of an NFL team’s marketing push, as well as a quality website, could certainly provide a much-needed boost to any business looking to better establish itself.

There’s still time for any small business to enter the Small Business Breakthrough competition — it’s accepting applications until May 31. To enter, or to learn more, visit the contest’s website.