APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, October 30th, 2026
CRITERIA: Primary business operations must be within 50 miles of Soldotna city limits. Your business idea or pitch could be anything from a new business venture, a new product you are trying to launch, or even a new online marketing strategy that will benefit your business and our area.
APPLICATION FEE: The application fee for the scholarship is $25.00 for Soldotna Chamber members and $50.00 for non-members.
PITCHES WILL BE EVALUATED ON THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
- What is your technology, product or service?
- How will the $4,000 be utilized to achieve your business goals?
- Who is your target market?
- How do you expect to make money/what is your business model?
- Who is your competition?
- What is your competitive advantage?
- Who is behind the company/who is your team?
DISCLAIMERS:
Entries must be the original work of the entrant.
By submitting an idea, you represent to Spark Soldotna that you have all rights, title and/or interest in the idea submitted and that the information you present is accurate and complete.
Spark Soldotna reserves the right to require at any time that any entrant sign an affidavit indicating that they do meet each of the aforementioned rules and guidelines at any point and continuously throughout the applicable competition and, as applicable, following such competition. In addition, any award is subject to forfeiture and/or repayment if Spark Soldotna determines, in its sole discretion, that the competitor receiving such award was not in compliance with these rules and guidelines.
There are no “typical applicants” for Spark Soldotna. Entrepreneurs and ideas come from every walk of life, every industry sector, and every age group. Contestants can be individuals or a team developing an idea. Some entrepreneurs may have a new business that is already marketing and selling, while others may only have a business concept and are working to get to market. Ideas and innovative products may be at any stage of development from creation of concept to a finished product or business.
Individuals may only enter one idea into the competition, whether they do so individually or as part of a team.
PowerPoint slides are allowed. A prototype and/or a presentation board may be used.
Entrants must apply online. Only online applications will only be assessed.
Spark Soldotna, in their sole discretion, will determine eligible entrants who will be invited to participate in the Spark Soldotna Competition.
Selected entrants will present their pitch to a panel of judges comprised of local community leaders, investors, and professionals. Time allotted for a pitch is at the discretion of Spark Soldotna and is determined by how many eligible entrants participate.
Eligible entrants will be emailed the audition length of time prior to the Spark Soldotna Competition as well as their assigned audition time. Any entrant that is late for their assigned audition time will be considered a “no show” and cannot be guaranteed a later time.
The winner of Spark Soldotna will be selected by the panel of judges.
In the spirit of economic development, preference may be given to for-profit businesses as winners of this grant.