DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (May 28, 2013) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Young Executives Network (YEN) is looking for young entrepreneurs to compete in the first-ever "SEMA Launch Pad" competition.
SEMA said the competition, which culminates at the 2013 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, offers executive-level innovators under the age of 40 a platform to showcase their business plans for marketing new automotive products or services.
"Our industry is made up of innovative visionaries," said Bryan Harrison, SEMA Launch Pad project manager.
"Through the SEMA Launch Pad, we're hoping to discover new leaders who will pave the way to the future. We're looking for folks to follow in the steps of the pioneers who started our industry nearly 50 years ago."
SEMA said the competition is open to leading executives — president, CEO or owner — who are YEN members. The competition begins with an online application that requires applicants to submit a short video detailing the company's functioning prototype/concept or product/service available for sale.
SEMA said ten candidates will then be selected to continue to the next round, at which time Facebook fans will have an opportunity to narrow the candidates down to five.
The top five candidates will then compete at a live event held at the 2013 SEMA Show, SEMA said, where they will make a business pitch to a judging panel. The winner will receive a booth at the 2014 SEMA Show, an ad in Hot Rod magazine or 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine, a Family Events sponsorship, web design, graphic design, PR consultation packages and much more.
For more information, visit www.SEMA.org/launch-pad.