CNBC and Allianz have partnered to launch a competition to identify entrepreneurs across Europe with environmentally responsible business concepts.
The competition, called "The Good Entrepreneur", kicks off at the beginning of June and the individual named "The Good Entrepreneur of 2009" will receive a prize package valued at more than 250.000 Euros. The package includes exposure on CNBC as well as comprehensive business support from Allianz.
Applications close on 31 July 2009, and the three finalists will be announced in August 2009.
The finalists will then be filmed to feature in a four-part televised series on CNBC, documenting the progress of each person. In the series finale, a panel of high profile judges will reveal the winner of the competition. The series will be broadcast across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and in Asia during the autumn of 2009.
Competition Rules
All entrants are required to abide by and accept with the following Conditions of Entry.
1. Submission of an entry into the competition constitutes acceptance of these rules ("Competition Rules").
2. The competition is open to individuals resident in or companies incorporated in the European Union or European Economic Area are eligible to apply ("Applicants"). Individual Applicants must be over the age of 18.
3. An Applicant who is affiliated to or employed by a publicly listed company or corporation (which shall include non-executive directorships and similar) may only enter the competition if his/her entry and the realization of the corresponding business plan are in no way whatsoever supported, funded or resourced, knowingly or unknowingly by the publicly listed company or corporation with which he/she is employed or affiliated. The use of personal salaries to develop business ideas for the competition is allowed. If an Applicant owns in whole or in part a private company it must have a turnover of less than €500,000 within the last accounting year and entries are accepted from such private companies.
4. Individuals can hold shares in listed companies but holdings should not exceed 5% of the total shares issued by that company.
5. No employees or members of the immediate family of employees, or agents and representatives of GE Inc/NBC Universal/CNBC and Allianz, their parent companies, affiliates and subsidiaries or anyone professionally connected with the Good Entrepreneur competition are eligible to enter the Good Entrepreneur competition.
6. To enter the competition, Applicants must submit a video of up to 60 seconds in length setting out an idea or business plan for a product or service which will contribute to a greener future. Entry into the competition is free. All entries must be made online via the Good Entrepreneur website accessible at www.goodentrepreneur.com (the "Website") by midnight CET 31st July 2009.
7. Only one entry per Applicant is allowed and entries must be submitted in the English language video format in accordance with the Video Pitching Guide. Entries that are of insufficient technical quality, damaged, or defaced are invalid. Proof of making an entry does not constitute proof of receipt by CNBC. No responsibility will be accepted for entries which are lost, damaged, or delayed.
8. There is no cash alternative to any component of the Prize.
9. The winner of the competition will be the Applicant who has submitted the most innovative or effective environmentally responsible business concept. The shortlist of ten Applicants will be announced during the week beginning 7th August 2009 and the three finalists will be announced during the week beginning 17th August 2009 and the winner will be announced November 27th 2009 during a recorded television event. The short-listed Applicants, the finalists and the winner will be selected by a judging panel containing independent members. The list of short-listed Applicants and finalists may be published on the Website and the name of the winner will be published on the Website.
10. The short-listed Applicants will be notified by post, e-mail or telephone as soon as practicable after the shortlist.
The winner named "The Good Entrepreneur 2009" will receive a prize package valued at more than 250.000 Euros, which includes exposure on CNBC and business support from Allianz.
Prizes
The prize, which only goes to the winner as chosen by the five judges, consists of the following:
1. 50.000 Euros cash
2. 30.000 Euros work of video production - a 30 second TV spot plus 2 minute corporate video
3. 110.000 Euros worth of airtime on CNBC
4. 10.000 Euros on a one-page advert in CNBC European Business magazine congratulating the winner, with CNBC producing the creative for this
5. Business insurance for 2010
6. 50.000 Euros consultant support from business, IT or process consultant
Jury
Nani Beccalli-Falco, President and CEO International, GE
Reid Hoffman - CEO, LinkedIn.com
Dr Paul Achleitner, CFO, Allianz
Sir David King, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (former chief scientist to UK government)
Jean-Philippe Courtois - President, Microsoft International