80 FR 46376 - Announcement of 2016 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 149 (August 4, 2015)
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 149 (August 4, 2015)
| Page Range | 46376-46378 | |
| FR Document | 2015-18708 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 46376-46378] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-18708] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Announcement of 2016 InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Business Challenge AGENCY: U.S. Small Business Administration. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is conducting the second year of the InnovateHER: Innovating for Women Challenge (the Challenge), pursuant to the America Competes Act, for entrepreneurs to create a product or service that has a measurable impact on the lives of women and families, has the potential for commercialization, and fills a need in the marketplace. DATES: The Challenge launches on August 4, 2015. The initial round of the Challenge will take the form of local competitions that will be run across the country beginning August 5, 2015 and ending no later than December 2, 2015. The host organizations running the local competitions must select and submit one winner from each local competition to SBA, along with a Nomination package, no later than December 3, 2015. SBA will then select up to ten Finalists. The Top 3 Winners will be announced no later than March 17, 2016 following a live pitch competition. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Heather Young, Office of Entrepreneurial Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205-7430, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 1. Subject of Challenge Competition: The SBA is looking for innovative products and services that help impact and empower the lives of women and families. We know that our workforce looks very different from 50 years ago. Women now make up nearly half of the labor force and play a critical role in our nation's economic prosperity. Most children live in households where all parents work. And as our population ages, families are increasingly caring for aging parents while balancing the needs of work and home. As the demands on women and families grow, the need for products and services that address these unique challenges increases. This [[Page 46377]] Challenge will provide a platform to fulfill that need. Contestants must develop a product or service that meets the following competition criteria:Has a measurable impact on the lives of women and families (30%); Has the potential for commercialization (40%); and Fills a need in the marketplace (30%) 2. Eligibility Rules for Participating in the Challenge: This Challenge is open only to: (1) Citizens or permanent residents of the United States who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of their submission of an entry (or teams of such individuals); and (2) private entities, such as corporations or other organizations, that are incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States. Individuals submitting on behalf of corporations, nonprofits, or groups of individuals (such as an academic class or other team) must meet the eligibility requirements for individual contestants. An individual may belong to more than one team submitting an entry in this Challenge. SBA employees are not eligible, nor are Federal entities or Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. Individuals or organizations that are currently suspended or disbarred by the federal government are not eligible for this Challenge. 3. Registration Process for Participants: The Challenge launches on August 4, 2015. The initial round of the Challenge will take the form of local competitions that will be run across the country from August 5, 2015 and ending no later than December 2, 2015 by host organizations such as universities, accelerators, clusters, scale-up communities, and SBA Resource Partners. For more information regarding these local competitions as it becomes available, please visit sba.gov/InnovateHER. SBA will continue to update the list of local competitions as details are confirmed. While these local competitions will be identified as part of the national InnovateHER Challenge and will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with these Challenge rules, they will be administered solely by the local host organizations and will be judged by individuals selected by each host in their sole discretion. At a minimum, however, each application must contain a business plan covering the contestant's proposed product or service and must satisfy the Challenge criteria identified by SBA in this notice. Following the completion of the local competitions, each host organization will identify one winner that will advance to the semi- final round of the Challenge. For a winning entry that has been submitted by a team of competitors, the host organization must list the team's self-identified project leader as the winner who will advance to the semi-final round. No later than December 3, 2015, each host organization will submit a nomination package containing the winning individual/team's business plan and other required information to SBA, which will administer the semi-final and final rounds of the Challenge. Selection as a semi-finalist following a local competition is the only means of registering for the Challenge. All nominations will be screened by SBA for eligibility. Contestants cannot submit entries directly to SBA. 4. Prize for Winners: Cash prizes totaling $70,000 will be awarded to the three highest-rated contestants in the final round of the competition in the following amounts: 1st Place--$40,000 2nd Place--$20,000 3rd Place--$10,000 For winning entries submitted by teams of competitors, prize money will be awarded to the self-identified project leader for distribution to the rest of the team at their discretion and independently from SBA. 5. Process for Host Organizations: Initial Round--Local Competitions. Organizations that wish to host a local competition as part of the initial round of this Challenge must send a request to the SBA at [email protected] no later than September 3, 2015 with the following information: The organization's official legal name, street address, city, state; Web site of the organization (if applicable); The name of the organization's designated Point Of Contact (POC) for the competition, his/her email address, and phone number. SBA will evaluate all requests to host a local InnovateHER competition in its sole discretion and will confirm a host's participation in writing. Additionally, with some exceptions, organizations that wish to host an InnovateHER competition will be required to agree to the terms of a Co-sponsorship Agreement with the SBA that defines the scope of the relationship for the purposes of InnovateHER and outlines the co-promotion and marketing terms. SBA will notify prospective hosts if such agreement is required. SBA will reject any nomination package submitted to the SBA by an organization that has not been officially confirmed by SBA to participate in the InnovateHER Challenge. Additionally, each host organization will determine the type of local competition, conducted in a manner that is consistent with these Challenge Rules, that will best identify the most innovative and entrepreneurial business ideas, including the type of application that individuals need to prepare in order to compete, and will publicize the competition locally. Host organizations should also notify SBA of the date and location of the local competitions for the purposes of publication at sba.gov/InnovateHER. Semi-Final Round--Submission of Local Winners. No later than December 3, 2015, host organizations must select and submit one winner from the local competition along with a Nomination Package to SBA through the www.Challenge.gov Web site. The Nomination Package must contain all of the following items: (a) A single cover page detailing-- (i) The Name of the winning individual (in the case of a winning team, please provide the name of the team's self-identified project lead); Company name (if applicable); Product/Service Name; Company Address, City, State, and Place of Incorporation (if applicable); Product/Service Web site (if applicable); telephone number of winning individual; and his/her email address; (ii) The host organization's official legal name, street address, city, state, designated POC, and his/her best contact number and email address (Note: this information must match the information provided by the organization as part of its request to SBA to host a local competition); (iii) A concise, two-sentence description of the product or service (Note: this description may also be also in promotional or informational materials in connection with InnovateHER). (b) A Business Plan from the winning individual/team (maximum length: 20 pages, including attachments). (c) A signed Statement of Support prepared by the host organization that explains why the winner of the local competition best satisfied the competition criteria and presented the greatest potential for success (maximum length: 2 pages). Each host organization is responsible for preparing the complete Nomination Package, including obtaining a copy of the relevant Business Plan from the winner and ensuring that the full package is timely submitted to the SBA via the www.Challenge.gov Web site. 6. Selection of Winners. Semi-Final Round. In the semi-final round of the Challenge, SBA will review [[Page 46378]] the semi-finalist nomination packages submitted by the local competition host organizations and select up to 10 finalists whose products or services, in SBA's sole judgment, best satisfy the competition criteria identified in Paragraph 1 of this Challenge announcement and present the greatest potential for success. In addition, in order to achieve nationwide distribution of prizes for the purpose of stimulating the growth and development of new products and services across the entire United States and across a diverse range of project types, SBA may take into account nominees' geographic locations when selecting winners, including support to geographic regions that traditionally have limited access to capital, as well as diversity in the types of products and services. Finalists selected by SBA will be required to sign a form certifying that they meet the eligibility requirements identified in Paragraph 2 above and have complied with these Challenge Rules. Final Round. Each finalist will be offered the opportunity to participate in the InnovateHER Final Challenge to be held on March 17, 2016 in the Washington, DC metro area where they will make a live marketing pitch to a panel of expert judges drawn from the private sector. The panel of judges will select the three finalists whose pitches, in their sole judgment, best satisfy the competition criteria and present the greatest potential for success and rank them in descending order. Finalists will be responsible for covering their own travel costs for the national competition. 7. Applicable Law: This Challenge is being conducted by SBA pursuant to the America Competes Act (15 U.S.C. 3719) and is subject to all applicable federal laws and regulations. By participating in this Challenge, each contestant gives its full and unconditional agreement to the Official Rules and the related administrative decisions described in this notice, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Challenge. A contestant's eligibility for a prize award is contingent upon their fulfilling all requirements identified in this notice. Publication of this notice is not an obligation of funds on the part of SBA. All prize monies are funded through private sector sources. The private sector source is liable to the winners for payment of the prize. SBA, however, will coordinate with the private sector source regarding instructions for award of the prize purse. SBA reserves the right to modify or cancel this Challenge, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the award of prizes. 8. Conflicts of Interest: No individual acting as a judge at any stage of this Challenge may have personal or financial interests in, or be an employee, officer, director, or agent of any contestant or have a familial or financial relationship with a contestant. 9. Intellectual Property Rights: All entries submitted in response to this Challenge will remain the sole intellectual property of the individuals or organizations that developed them. By registering and entering a submission, each contestant represents and warrants that it is the sole author and copyright owner of the submission, and that the submission is an original work of the contestant, or if the submission is a work based on an existing application, that the contestant has acquired sufficient rights to use and to authorize others to use the submission, and that the submission does not infringe upon any copyright or upon any other third party rights of which the contestant is aware. 10. Publicity Rights: By registering and entering a submission, each contestant consents to SBA's and its agents' use, in perpetuity, of its name, likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, and/or hometown and state information for promotional or informational purposes through any form of media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. 11. Liability and Insurance Requirements: By registering and entering a submission, each contestant agrees to assume any and all risks and waive claims against the Federal Government and its related entities, except in the case of willful misconduct, for any injury, death, damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits, whether direct, indirect, or consequential, arising from their participation in this Challenge, whether the injury, death, damage, or loss arises through negligence or otherwise. By registering and entering a submission, each contestant further represents and warrants that it possesses sufficient liability insurance or financial resources to cover claims by a third party for death, bodily injury, or property damage or loss resulting from any activity it carries out in connection with its participation in this Challenge, or claims by the Federal Government for damage or loss to Government property resulting from such an activity. Contest winners should be prepared to demonstrate proof of insurance or financial responsibility in the event SBA deems it necessary. 12. Record Retention and Disclosure: All nomination packages and related materials provided to SBA in the semi-final and final rounds of the Challenge automatically become SBA records and cannot be returned. Contestants should identify any confidential commercial information contained in their entries at the time of their submission to the local Host Organization. SBA will notify contestants of any Freedom of Information Act requests the Agency receives related to their submissions in accordance with 13 CFR part 102. Award Approving Official: Erin Andrew, Assistant Administrator, Office of Women's Business Ownership, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW., Washington, DC 20416. Erin Andrew, Assistant Administrator, Office of Women's Business Ownership. [FR Doc. 2015-18708 Filed 8-3-15; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 8025-01-P
![46376 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices
must describe in its annual report to inaccurate, or misleading disclosure Dated: July 28, 2015.
shareholders the fund’s policy about the special characteristics of a Robert W. Errett,
concerning repurchase offers and the closed-end fund that makes periodic Deputy Secretary.
results of any repurchase offers made repurchase offers. [FR Doc. 2015–18886 Filed 8–3–15; 08:45 am]
during the reporting period. The fund’s Based on staff experience, the BILLING CODE 8011–01–P
board of directors must adopt written Commission staff estimates that 21
procedures designed to ensure that the funds make use of rule 23c–3 annually,
fund’s investment portfolio is including six funds that are relying SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
sufficiently liquid to meet its repurchase
upon rule 23c–3 for the first time. The
obligations and other obligations under Announcement of 2016 InnovateHER:
Commission staff estimates that on
the rule. The board periodically must Innovating for Women Business
average a fund spends 89 hours
review the composition of the fund’s Challenge
annually in complying with the
portfolio and change the liquidity
requirements of the rule and Form N– AGENCY: U.S. Small Business
procedures as necessary. The fund also
23c–3, with funds relying upon rule Administration.
must file copies of advertisements and
23c–3 for the first time incurring an
other sales literature with the ACTION: Notice.
additional one-time burden of 28 hours.
Commission as if it were an open-end
The Commission therefore estimates the SUMMARY: The U.S. Small Business
investment company subject to section
total annual burden of the rule’s and Administration (SBA) is conducting the
24 of the Investment Company Act (15
U.S.C. 80a–24) and the rules that form’s paperwork requirements to be second year of the InnovateHER:
implement section 24. Rule 24b–3 under 2,037 hours. In addition to the burden Innovating for Women Challenge (the
the Investment Company Act (17 CFR hours, the Commission estimates that Challenge), pursuant to the America
270.24b–3), however, exempts the fund the average yearly cost to each fund that Competes Act, for entrepreneurs to
from that requirement if the materials relies on rule 23c–3 to print and mail create a product or service that has a
are filed instead with the Financial repurchase offers to shareholders is measurable impact on the lives of
Industry Regulatory Authority approximately $29,966.50. The women and families, has the potential
(‘‘FINRA’’). Commission estimates total annual cost for commercialization, and fills a need
The requirement that the fund send a is therefore approximately $629,297. in the marketplace.
notification to shareholders of each offer Estimates of the average burden hours DATES: The Challenge launches on
is intended to ensure that a fund and costs are made solely for the August 4, 2015. The initial round of the
provides material information to purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Challenge will take the form of local
shareholders about the terms of each Act and are not derived from a competitions that will be run across the
offer. The requirement that copies be comprehensive or even representative country beginning August 5, 2015 and
sent to the Commission is intended to survey or study of the costs of ending no later than December 2, 2015.
enable the Commission to monitor the Commission rules and forms. The host organizations running the local
fund’s compliance with the notification Compliance with the collection of competitions must select and submit
requirement. The requirement that the information requirements of the rule one winner from each local competition
shareholder notification be attached to and form is mandatory only for those to SBA, along with a Nomination
Form N–23c–3 is intended to ensure funds that rely on the rule in order to package, no later than December 3,
that the fund provides basic information repurchase shares of the fund. The 2015. SBA will then select up to ten
necessary for the Commission to process information provided to the Finalists. The Top 3 Winners will be
the notification and to monitor the Commission on Form N–23c–3 will not announced no later than March 17, 2016
fund’s use of repurchase offers. The be kept confidential. An agency may not following a live pitch competition.
requirement that the fund describe its conduct or sponsor, and a person is not FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
current policy on repurchase offers and required to respond to, a collection of Heather Young, Office of
the results of recent offers in the annual information unless it displays a Entrepreneurial Development, U.S.
shareholder report is intended to currently valid OMB control number. Small Business Administration, 409
provide shareholders current Third Street SW., 6th Floor,
information about the fund’s repurchase The public may view the background Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205–7430,
policies and its recent experience. The documentation for this information womenbusiness@sba.gov.
requirement that the board approve and collection at the following Web site,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
review written procedures designed to www.reginfo.gov. Comments should be
directed to: (i) Desk Officer for the 1. Subject of Challenge Competition:
maintain portfolio liquidity is intended The SBA is looking for innovative
to ensure that the fund has enough cash Securities and Exchange Commission,
Office of Information and Regulatory products and services that help impact
or liquid securities to meet its and empower the lives of women and
repurchase obligations, and that written Affairs, Office of Management and
families. We know that our workforce
procedures are available for review by Budget, Room 10102, New Executive
looks very different from 50 years ago.
shareholders and examination by the Office Building, Washington, DC 20503,
Women now make up nearly half of the
Commission. The requirement that the or by sending an email to: Shagufta_
labor force and play a critical role in our
fund file advertisements and sales Ahmed@omb.eop.gov; and (ii) Pamela
nation’s economic prosperity. Most
literature as if it were an open-end fund Dyson, Director/Chief Information
children live in households where all
is intended to facilitate the review of Officer, Securities and Exchange
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
parents work. And as our population
these materials by the Commission or Commission, c/o Remi Pavlik-Simon,
ages, families are increasingly caring for
FINRA to prevent incomplete, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549
aging parents while balancing the needs
or send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@
of work and home. As the demands on
the fund to state its registration number, its full sec.gov.
name and address, the date of the accompanying
women and families grow, the need for
shareholder notification, and the type of offer being Comments must be submitted to OMB products and services that address these
made (periodic, discretionary, or both). within 30 days of this notice. unique challenges increases. This
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00143 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_46525/page/1.svg)
![46378 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices
the semi-finalist nomination packages 8. Conflicts of Interest: No individual final and final rounds of the Challenge
submitted by the local competition host acting as a judge at any stage of this automatically become SBA records and
organizations and select up to 10 Challenge may have personal or cannot be returned. Contestants should
finalists whose products or services, in financial interests in, or be an employee, identify any confidential commercial
SBA’s sole judgment, best satisfy the officer, director, or agent of any information contained in their entries at
competition criteria identified in contestant or have a familial or financial the time of their submission to the local
Paragraph 1 of this Challenge relationship with a contestant. Host Organization. SBA will notify
announcement and present the greatest 9. Intellectual Property Rights: All contestants of any Freedom of
potential for success. In addition, in entries submitted in response to this Information Act requests the Agency
order to achieve nationwide distribution Challenge will remain the sole receives related to their submissions in
of prizes for the purpose of stimulating intellectual property of the individuals accordance with 13 CFR part 102.
the growth and development of new or organizations that developed them. Award Approving Official: Erin
products and services across the entire By registering and entering a Andrew, Assistant Administrator, Office
United States and across a diverse range submission, each contestant represents of Women’s Business Ownership, U.S.
of project types, SBA may take into and warrants that it is the sole author Small Business Administration, 409
account nominees’ geographic locations and copyright owner of the submission, Third Street SW., Washington, DC
when selecting winners, including and that the submission is an original 20416.
support to geographic regions that work of the contestant, or if the
submission is a work based on an Erin Andrew,
traditionally have limited access to
existing application, that the contestant Assistant Administrator, Office of Women’s
capital, as well as diversity in the types Business Ownership.
of products and services. Finalists has acquired sufficient rights to use and
to authorize others to use the [FR Doc. 2015–18708 Filed 8–3–15; 8:45 a.m.]
selected by SBA will be required to sign
a form certifying that they meet the submission, and that the submission BILLING CODE 8025–01–P
eligibility requirements identified in does not infringe upon any copyright or
Paragraph 2 above and have complied upon any other third party rights of
with these Challenge Rules. which the contestant is aware. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
10. Publicity Rights: By registering
Final Round. Each finalist will be [Public Notice 9211]
and entering a submission, each
offered the opportunity to participate in
contestant consents to SBA’s and its 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information
the InnovateHER Final Challenge to be
agents’ use, in perpetuity, of its name, Collection: Risk Analysis and
held on March 17, 2016 in the
likeness, photograph, voice, opinions, Management (RAM)
Washington, DC metro area where they and/or hometown and state information
will make a live marketing pitch to a for promotional or informational
panel of expert judges drawn from the Notice of request for public
ACTION:
purposes through any form of media, comment.
private sector. The panel of judges will worldwide, without further payment or
select the three finalists whose pitches, consideration. SUMMARY: The Department of State is
in their sole judgment, best satisfy the 11. Liability and Insurance seeking Office of Management and
competition criteria and present the Requirements: By registering and Budget (OMB) approval for the
greatest potential for success and rank entering a submission, each contestant information collection described below.
them in descending order. Finalists will agrees to assume any and all risks and In accordance with the Paperwork
be responsible for covering their own waive claims against the Federal Reduction Act of 1995, we are
travel costs for the national competition. Government and its related entities, requesting comments on this collection
7. Applicable Law: This Challenge is except in the case of willful misconduct, from all interested individuals and
being conducted by SBA pursuant to the for any injury, death, damage, or loss of organizations. The purpose of this
America Competes Act (15 U.S.C. 3719) property, revenue, or profits, whether notice is to allow 30 days for public
and is subject to all applicable federal direct, indirect, or consequential, arising comment preceding submission of the
laws and regulations. By participating in from their participation in this collection to OMB.
this Challenge, each contestant gives its Challenge, whether the injury, death, DATES: The Department will accept
full and unconditional agreement to the damage, or loss arises through comments from the public up to
Official Rules and the related negligence or otherwise. By registering September 3, 2015.
administrative decisions described in and entering a submission, each ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
this notice, which are final and binding contestant further represents and by any of the following methods:
in all matters related to the Challenge. warrants that it possesses sufficient • Web: Persons with access to the
A contestant’s eligibility for a prize liability insurance or financial resources Internet may comment on this notice by
award is contingent upon their fulfilling to cover claims by a third party for going to www.Regulations.gov. You can
all requirements identified in this death, bodily injury, or property damage search for the document by entering
notice. Publication of this notice is not or loss resulting from any activity it ‘‘Docket Number: DOS–2015–0036’’ in
an obligation of funds on the part of carries out in connection with its the Search field. Then click the
SBA. All prize monies are funded participation in this Challenge, or ‘‘Comment Now’’ button and complete
through private sector sources. The claims by the Federal Government for the comment form.
private sector source is liable to the damage or loss to Government property • Email: FARRELLLM1@state.gov.
winners for payment of the prize. SBA, resulting from such an activity. Contest • Regular Mail: Send written
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
however, will coordinate with the winners should be prepared to comments to: U.S. Department of State,
private sector source regarding demonstrate proof of insurance or Office of Risk Analysis and
instructions for award of the prize financial responsibility in the event Management, 2201 C St. NW.,
purse. SBA reserves the right to modify SBA deems it necessary. Washington, DC 20520.
or cancel this Challenge, in whole or in 12. Record Retention and Disclosure: • Fax: 202–647–7082.
part, at any time prior to the award of All nomination packages and related • Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.
prizes. materials provided to SBA in the semi- Department of State, Office of Risk
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:45 Aug 03, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00145 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_46525/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-18 14:51:57
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 14:51:57
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Dates | The Challenge launches on August 4, 2015. The initial round of the Challenge will take the form of local competitions that will be run across the country beginning August 5, 2015 and ending no later than December 2, 2015. The host organizations running the local competitions must select and submit one winner from each local competition to SBA, along with a Nomination package, no later than December 3, 2015. SBA will then select up to ten Finalists. The Top 3 Winners will be announced no later than March 17, 2016 following a live pitch competition. | |
| Contact | Heather Young, Office of Entrepreneurial Development, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW., 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20416, (202) 205-7430, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 46376 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR