The Future of Design Business Incubator Contest for Jewelry Designers

Described as a game changer, the Future of Design Business competition seeks to discover, promote and catapult the next great jewelry designer into the market.

Submissions include our business plan-like application, marketing materials and visuals of your jewelry line. The application includes an in-depth questionnaire that teaches you about strategy and marketing planning along the way — and gives you plenty of time to compose your answers.

This is an unprecedented competition with a vast level of industry participation, unique judging process and a dream prize package.

     Six semi-finalists win:

• a mentoring date (by phone if in-person isn’t possible) with one of our Dream Team designers
• a feature on NationalJeweler.com

     Three finalists also win:

• trip to NYC to participate in the finale

The winner also receives:

•  a year of manufacturing services by Fusion Jewelry
•  a year of sales representation by Viewpoint
•  sales training and retail introductions by Performance Concepts
•  consulting on strategy, financials and technology by StrategyWerx
•  a booth in globalDESIGN
•  premium membership on JewelryDesignerFinder.com
•  a suite of marketing products from Jeweler’s Resource
•  a booth in the Designer Showcase at the JA NY Show
•  an ad campaign in INDESIGN magazine
•  photography and ad campaign creation by RSP Media
•  inclusion in three celebrity award suites with Michael O’Connor
•  mentorship by all the judges
•  promotion and publicity throughout the process
•  more prizes to be added as new sponsors are secured!

• Application process opens Wed. Sept. 7th
• Application deadline is midnight PST Dec. 1st
• You can work on your online application in a stop-and-start fashion till Dec. 1
• Winner selected March 13, 2012

DETAILS:

• www.FutureofDesignContest.com 

• It’s a business contest, not just a design contest
• The application process walks you through critical business strategies
• Every applicant gets a professional critique of/advice on his/her business plans
• Winner gets more than $250,000 worth of goods and services
• Six semi-finalists get prizes and mentoring with a Dream Team member
• Three finalists are flown to New York for final judging
• Live finale, “Shark Tank”-style, at MJSA Expo New York in NYC on March 13, 2012
• All are welcome to attend by registering for an MJSA EXPO show badge

• Unique judging process:

• Business plan submitted as well as designs 
• In-depth business questionnaire akin to a marketing plan 
• Judges interview six semi-finalists live via conference video 
• Three finalists make live pitch in front of judges & audience in NYC 
• Vast level of industry participation, probably unprecedented

• Cindy Edelstein – Jewelers Resource Bureau /  cindy@jewelersresource.com
• Andrea Hill – StrategyWerx /  andrea.hill@strategywerx.com
• Kate Peterson – Performance Concepts
• Mendel Rotenberg – Fusion Jewelry 
• Jim DeMattei – ViewPoint  

• Gurhan
•  Erica Courtney
•  Todd Reed
•  Penny Preville
•  Lisa Jenks
•  Robert Lee Morris

Sponsors: