Ivy Tech Community College Northeast has announced the three finalists for its 2015 New Venture Competition. In its fifth year, the competition’s champion will receive at least $35,000 in start-up capital for presenting the best business plan for his or her small business.

The finalists and their plans are as follows:

· Shalonda Saunders, Sew Pinky—Sew Pinky is a small business that provides custom-made clothing and accessories for girls of all ages. It offers classes, beauty pageants, and princess parties. Saunders’ business philosophy: People will always say “You can’t.” You just smile and say, “Watch me.”

· Morgan Williams, Elite Performance Scouting—Elite Performance Scouting specializes in evaluating athletic talent, compiling video and statistics into portfolios, and marketing those portfolios to colleges across the country. Williams’ business philosophy: The blind cannot lead the blind, for they will both fall into a ditch. Matthew 15:14

· Guadalupe Callejas, The Metro Striping and Stenciling Company—The Metro Striping and Stenciling Company is an affordable and efficient approach to business parking lot aesthetics. The company uses the latest stenciling techniques to properly format parking lot traffic lanes, per Department of Transportation guidelines. Callejas’ business philosophy: Creating affordability for the customer.

“Now in its fifth year, the New Venture Competition continues to find the best students with the most exciting business ideas,” says Jim Tolbert, who heads the competition. “I’m looking forward to seeing these three finalists present their business plans.”

The New Venture Awards Dinner is at 5 p.m. Sept. 30 on Ivy Tech Northeast’s Coliseum Campus, 3800 N. Anthony Blvd., in Room CC1640. Finalists will present their business plans, and community judges will vote on the New Venture champion at the event.

The competition has partnered with Fort Wayne SCORE, a group that grows successful small businesses across the country. The group, made of volunteer experienced business owners and managers, will be providing mentorship for the finalists.

The New Venture Competition is sponsored by JB Tool, Die & Engineering and owners Dave and Mary Bear; and the Edward M. and Mary McCrea Wilson Foundation. ProFed Credit Union is the event’s dinner sponsor.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system. Ivy Tech serves nearly 200,000 students annually and has campuses throughout Indiana. It functions as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.