Who will be the 2018 International Business Plan Competition Winner?
It is said that competition is a critical driver for performance and innovation. It encourages new ideas to flourish and transforms the marketplace. Given that the social and economic problems facing our world today are increasingly complex, we need a generation of entrepreneurs who dare to build innovative, long-term solutions that can produce a positive social impact and financial prosperity.
This is the main reason why we come together year after year for the International Business Plan Competition during Nehemiah Week, so that aspiring kingdom entrepreneurs are aware they have this opportunity to make a lasting kingdom impact in their communities. This competition has provided a launching pad for entrepreneurs from all around the world to turn their kingdom business plans into a tangible reality. What sets this competition apart from the rest is that it not only gives them a window to showcase their innovative product or service models but it provides a supportive environment to enable their ideas to reach the marketplace and impact their communities.
Each year, prior to Nehemiah Week we receive applications from aspiring entrepreneurs all around the world, wishing to pitch their business ideas before a panel of judges in a trial-by-fire opportunity that could launch their dreams into reality. All these applicants that come to us have one thing in common, they desire for a success that not only focuses on a prosperous bottom line, but for a success that can produce an economic return and a sustainable, social impact. What’s interesting is the competition for the last 8 consecutive years has produced winners from developing countries like Haiti, Madagascar, and Ukraine, defeating out other competitors from more developed, powerhouse countries like France, U.S.A., Australia, and Canada. These winners have gone on to build businesses that provide God-honoring products and services in a God-honoring way whilst creating employment opportunities and an economic growth in countries where such possibilities are scarce.
Last year’s winner, Rosela St. Vil went on to create a business establishment called Zazouty Ice Cream, that provides a healthy, safe, positive, and godly gathering place for children, youth, and families in the midst of severe political, social and economic instability that continue to affect Haiti. It is without a doubt that the quality ideas that have been converted into real businesses through this competition to create lasting social and kingdom impacts have been extraordinary. So as we gather once again to witness fresh innovative business ideas this year, who are you rooting for to take home the coveted International Business Plan trophy? Let’s meet the contestants:
Mike Cross
U.S.A
Free On The Outside
Mike Cross is the founding pastor and program director for Free On The Outside, a ministry that caters to people coming out of prison. They serve two meals weekly to the people in their church community, both those out of prison, and those living on the street. They offer a Celebrate Recovery group, and currently house 42 men and women. Their program has continued to grow, change people’s lives and become more profitable.
Andrii Solodovnyk
Ukraine
AllWoodenBiz
Shortly after the birth of his son, Andrii had an idea to produce wooden toys. AllWoodenBiz is a large producer of children’s wooden toys that include: doll houses with furniture, cars and even educational toys. At this point, his business is in its development stage. He has a team of 4 craftsmen, director and manager coordinator. The production is geared towards processing secondary raw materials, a process that does not destroy the forests, but to only use what has been burned. It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly business.
Nallieli Perez Mercado
Mexico
DMI (God In The Mission)
Nallieli is a doctor and studied Clinical Nutrition and Occupational Medicine. DMI (God in the Mission) is a company she founded to meet the medical needs of missionaries, such as medical insurance, medicines, and so on. Her vision is to contribute to the consumption of healthy food, helping to reduce the rate of obesity in Mexico. She also hopes to generate decent jobs for older adults. The profits generated through this business will be used to buy medical insurance for the missionaries and their families, as well as to support them to purchase medicines.
Tantely Rakotobe
Madagascar
Madagascar Food Factories Company
Madagascar Food Factories Company specializes in turning exotic Malagasy natural fruit into dried or powdered fruit for local and international market. The company’s vision is to become a leader in food processing in Africa under the values of honesty, loyalty and respect. Food processing is not just a sustainable social and development solution but is also a huge business opportunity in Africa. Her company will use its profits to fund a shelter for the homeless, and publish a book on her story and relationship with God.
Frank Kitonga
Kenya
Blueflame International Ltd
Blueflame International Ltd is a food company that manufactures healthy and nutritious products while empowering farmers in Kenya. Blueflame uses indigenous or traditional crops to match the Kenyan consumers’ flavor and taste. Currently Blueflame runs a 15 acres farm in Machakos, Nairobi, where tests are being carried out to produce a fast growing pumpkin variety called Egyptian Giant. They are also currently sourcing their pumpkins from 150 small-scale farmers in Kitui County (Semi-Arid Area), who are growing traditional pumpkins in 1-2 acre plots and selling it in the Nairobi residential areas.
Guerdine Volcimus Duré
Haiti
Eclat
She studied Economic Science at university, and through the years, have gained experience through a professional career and also in church ministry. She taught for 3 years, worked in banking for 5 years, and was in the insurance industry for 13 years. Her source of motivation is the joy to serve and her love for God!
Each of these contestants have qualified for the International Business Plan Competition after completing the Biblical Entrepreneurship I, II, III and was selected as a winner in their local national level business plan competitions. The contestants this year will bring so much diversity from their individual countries as they compete not just for a stake at cash prizes but for the coveted International Business Plan Competition trophy. The thrill of watching this competition is one that’s not to be missed. Register now and join us as we celebrate God-given creativity, innovation, and talents from Kingdom Entrepreneurs all around the world.
This year is about to be a momentous year for Nehemiah Week. After hosting 5 consecutive Nehemiah Week events in Orlando, Florida, this year will be our last. You do not want to miss the best Nehemiah Week celebration to date. Join us at any of these following events by registering now to attend Nehemiah Week 2018.
- Kingdom Business Tour | Sept 17 (Monday)
The week begins with a Kingdom Business Tour, where you will learn from real life kingdom companies and discover the key to their success. REGISTER HERE - BE Conference | Sept 18 – Sept 20 (Tuesday – Thursday)
The tour is followed by a 3-day transformational business conference with dynamic speakers and experienced entrepreneurs who will share best business practices that will address strategies to growing your company by tapping in the innovations and energy of the next generation. The conference will also teach attendees how to train, coach and invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders.
REGISTER HERE - E-Community Investors Forum | Sept 20 (Thursday)
The conference will conclude with our Kingdom Investors Forum where entrepreneurs with growing businesses get to pitch before Kingdom Investors to raise capital to grow their companies. REGISTER HERE - International Business Plan Competition | Sept 21 (Friday)
After the conference, you will experience our annual international business plan competition where winners from 7 or more countries from around the world compete for the year’s best Kingdom Business Plan. REGISTER HERE - Celebration Banquet | Sept 22 (Saturday)
This celebration banquet would be a great platform to celebrate, network and engage with like minded people from the marketplace. REGISTER HERE - Worship Service | Sept 23 (Sunday)
Finally the week concludes with a combined worship service where you will be inspired to continue your journey of building your kingdom company.
REGISTER HERE
Identity and Destiny Merges with Nehemiah Project
Some of you remember Nehemiah Week 2017 when we announced the merging of Identity and Destiny with Nehemiah Project through the gracious gift from the authors, Tom and Pam Wolf. On September 5, 2018, 11:30am – 12:30pm Eastern time, we will be holding an announcement webinar to share details on where we are with the integration of Identity and Destiny into the Nehemiah Project. We have been developing and testing various ways that Identity and Destiny complements Biblical Entrepreneurship and our mission to build kingdom businesses. We look forward to sharing these developments with you and how it will benefit your ministry and business. For those of you who do not know much about Identity and Destiny and how our partnership has evolved and want to know more, CLICK HERE.
To RSVP for the Identity and Destiny Merger Webinar, click on the link below. You also have the opportunity for a time of question and answer with Tom and Pam Wolf, as well as Patrice and Gina Tsague.
Serve with Love Mission in Action – The Power of a Transformational Mission
A Nehemiah Week special offer is now available for all Nehemiah Week sponsors and full-week registration package holders! You are entitled to a free registration package to attend an all-day team development workshop called, Serve with Love Mission in Action – The Power of a Transformational Mission Statement. Details of the event are as below:
Date: Friday, September 14th, 2018
Time: 9:00am-5:00pm Eastern time
Venue: First Presbyterian Church Orlando
This workshop will feature two inspirational Kingdom Entrepreneurs, Tom and Jennifer Mears. Tom and Jennifer Mears serve as owners and principles of the Holland Inc, the formal parent company of Burgerville U.S.A. They turned Burgerville U.S.A. into an iconic brand in the Pacific Northwest with over $100 million in annual revenue by putting into action their corporate mission statement, “Serve With Love.”
Tom Mears
Chairman of Burgerville U.S.A
and Holland Inc.
Jennifer Mears
President of Holland Inc.
If you would like to attend this workshop, you can CLICK HERE to register. Seats are limited so hurry and book your spot now!
CLICK HERE to find out more about Serve with Love Mission In Action.