APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FOR RATCLIFFE FOUNDATION SHORE HATCHERY ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITION

Salisbury, MD - Salisbury University has officially opened applications for the 24^th round of funding through its Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery entrepreneur competition.

This golden opportunity for Mid-Atlantic businesses within their first five years of operation is only open until March 10, after which all submitted business plans will be carefully reviewed for a chance to secure a portion of the $200,000 available per academic year.

Following the business plan submission, participants that are successful at this stage will then present their impressive business ideas before a review board. The board will then evaluate everybody's pitches - a process not dissimilar to the method used on the popular ABC-TV show, Shark Tank. Following these live presentations scheduled for Friday, April 25, the lucky recipients of the funding will be chosen.

Since its creation in 2013, courtesy of the foundation's initial $1 million contribution, the Ratcliffe Shore Hatchery program has shown its dedication to fostering entrepreneurship. The Ratcliffe Foundation has also committed to the cause by pledging subsequent renewals totaling $1.9 million, ensuring the continuation of the Shore Hatchery till spring 2026.

The competition is administered through Salisbury University's esteemed Franklin P. Perdue School of Business which has been pivotal in supporting and guiding countless entrepreneurs through their early stages of business.

In short, the 24^th Ratcliffe Shore Hatchery could well be a stepping stone for another budding entrepreneurial success story.