The Program is open to legal residents of the United States and the District of Columbia who at the time of entry are the principal owner/operator of an eligible for-profit small business that: (i) is incorporated or otherwise considered a valid legal entity in the State of Florida as of 3/1/2018; and (ii) operates within Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco, Citrus, Manatee, Sarasota, or Polk County.
In order to be considered an eligible "small business" for purposes of this Program, the business must meet all the following criteria:
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a. The business must be in good standing with the State of Florida as of the date of submission and must remain so through the end of the Program Period;
b. Applicant/owner must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age at the time of entry;
c. Applicant/owner must be an authorized agent of the registered business;
d. The business must be currently active, lawful, and have all necessary and required licenses and registrations through the end of the Program Period;
e. The business must be for-profit;
f. The business must be independent/non-franchised;
g. The business has annual operating revenues of no more than five million dollars ($5,000,000) per fiscal year for the last three (3) years;
h. The business must have no more than two hundred (200) employees on its payroll through the end of the Program Period (sole proprietors are considered as an employee and part-time employees are included);
i. The primary purpose of the business must not be in competition with Vinik Sports Group; and
j. The business must not be under bankruptcy protection or have judicial liens or attachments through the end of the Program Period.
Please refer to the Eligibility and Disqualification/Marketing Grant Forfeiture sections of the Official Rules for more details