Three companies named as finalists in the North of Boston Business Plan competition

Three Finalists to Present Plans on April 12 at Public Event

The Enterprise Center at Salem State College today announced that three companies have been named as finalists in the North of Boston Business Plan competition.  The finalists include companies that provide online local advertising, environmentally responsible household products and a solar energy business.   They are indicative of the breadth and high quality of the plans submitted.  Finalists will present their plans before the panel of 19 judges and the public at the finale, to be held in the Central Campus Recital Hall at Salem State College on April 12, 2010 at 3:00 pm. The public is invited to attend.

The finalists include:

EcoCentric Resources DBA TOPIA  (Salem, MA) - online sales of environmentally responsible, non-toxic household products made with authentic natural ingredients, and "chlorine free" baby diapers and baby wipes directly to consumers. 

Local Ginger (Newburyport, MA) - A marketing communication channel to help local merchants reach likely customers through email and SMS technologies.  www.localginger.com

Solar Sheds (Peabody, MA) - develops and markets, energy conversion products for the solar photovoltaic industry.

Finalists are startups and emerging businesses less than three years old. To qualify for the competition each  business has committed to locating on the North Shore or Merrimack Valley and to grow to at least five full time employees or full time equivalent employees within two years.

First prize in the North of Boston Business Plan Competition is $5,000. Second and third place plans will receive $3,000 and $2,000 respectively.

The April 12^th Finale and reception that follows is open to the public free of charge.