Austin College Partners with SEDCO for Upcoming RISE Challenge
For the third year, Austin College is partnering with Sherman Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) and the Grayson Small Business Development Center to support SEDCO’s annual RISE Challenge.
RISE is a collaborative program to support “Raising Innovative Sherman Entrepreneurs.” The Challenge seeks to award a total of $250,000 in March 2024 in cash grants to entrepreneurs selected through a five-month-long local competition.
Through RISE, local officials are cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem for promoting job creation and business investment at the local level. Austin College provides logistical support with scheduling each phase of the competition, communicating with competitors and judges, and managing online resources and tools.
“Engagement with the business community is an important component of Austin College’s mission to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences in order to prepare them for rewarding careers,” says Dr. David Griffith, business professor and the Jack B. Morris Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies. “RISE creates meaningful new connections between the college and the emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem. We are pleased to collaborate with SEDCO in this effort to support local entrepreneurs.”
Also partnering to provide support for the Challenge are Sherman companies PQD Design & Manufacturing and accounting firm Lori Cannon CPA.
The 2024 competition is the third year of RISE. Grantees from the first two years have received a total of $392,500 in grants. They represent a variety of growing businesses, from medical device manufacturing to a family-owned clothing producer, trucking to e-commerce.
Competition materials will be submitted through the online RISE Challenge submission portal, which is open September 25 through October 25, 2023. Applicants selected to proceed to a second phase will complete additional steps. Winners will be announced at an awards luncheon on the Austin College campus in March 2024.
Complete information on eligibility requirements and the application process is available through the competition website.