What is JC FLEX?

Jones County Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurship X-perience is an entrepreneurship contest for students in 9th - 12th grade who want to begin their business while still in high school. 

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OVERVIEW:

Round 1: Student entrepreneurs form teams, referred to as companies, and submit a business plan and application to be judged by a panel of local business leaders. It will be a blind submission process. Out of the initial applicants, 10 will be selected to advance to the next round. Applications are due September 30th.

 

Round 2: The selected 10 companies will receive a $100 loan for seed money. They will then operate their businesses for approximately 8 weeks, while participating in workshops and completing assignments that will provide tools to increase the success of their business. At the end of the 8 weeks, companies will complete a business evaluation and submit their financial statements for review by a panel of judges. Financial statements and business evaluations will be due December 17th. Students will deliver their initial business presentations for Round 2 January 7th. Top 3 Finalists will be announced and receive information regarding Round 3 January 10th.

 

Round 3: The top 3 companies give a “Shark Tank” style business pitch to a panel of judges made up of business leaders in front of friends, family, members of the business community, and their peers January 21st. This presentation will include all the components of their initial business presentation with the addition of a commercial and other enhancements.

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RULES

• Companies must be 2-3 person teams

• Companies must have an advisor from the Jones County School System and will be provided an additional business mentor in Round 2.

• The competition is open to 9th – 12th grade students.

• Companies must pay back their $100 loan to be considered for Round 3.

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Important Dates:

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September 7th – 29th –   Advertisement for JC FLEX Contest to students

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September 9th - Student Team/School System Mentor Meeting 4:30 p.m. JCHS Cafeteria

 

September 30th – Deadline for applications

 

October 20th – Top 10 announced and awarded seed money with Round 2 Information Packet

 

December 17th – Financials/Information, any updates to Business Plan Due for Top 10

 

January 5th - Final business plan, social media links, websites, etc. As well as any visual aids such as ppt, etc. due for creating copies for judging panel and to ensure all sites are accessible for Round 2

 

January 7th – Round 2 Contest with Panel

 

January 10th - Announce Top 3 Finalists and Provide Round 3 Information Packet

 

January 18th - First Practice/Coaching Session for JC FLEX Top 3 Finalists

 

January 20th - Final Practice/Coaching Session for JC FLEX Top 3 Finalists

 

January 21st – JC FLEX Contest Finals

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DISCLAIMER:

The opinions and decisions made by the panels of judges at each round of the competition are final. The opinions of the judges are independent of JCHS-CCA, JCSS, Jones County Development Authority, Gray/JC Chamber of Commerce, and the sponsors of JC FLEX.

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