Brother Launches 25K Grant Program With StartupNation to Help Entrepreneurs Live Their Dream

Five grant packages of $5,000 each will be awarded to most compelling entries

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Jan 10, 2012, 09:00 ET

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Brother International Corporation, a leader in small business technology, today officially launched a small business grant program in collaboration with entrepreneurial online resource, StartupNation. The grant program will award a total of $25,000 to small business owners who submit the most original and creative business plan. Winners can use the money to start their own business or initiate a new project in their current small business. Starting today through March 2012, five $5,000 grants will be awarded to ambitious entrepreneurs who best demonstrate the vision, mission and aspiration in a business plan, as well as convey how the grant money will help their business grow and succeed. Applicants can apply through www.startupnation.com.

"Despite economic barriers to obtain start-up capital, small business owners remain resolute and enthusiastic in their pursuit to doing more with less and living out their dream," said John Wandishin, Vice President of Marketing, Brother International Corporation. "This grant program signifies an opportunity to help entrepreneurs rise above financial challenges and demonstrates the commitment Brother has to better understanding and addressing the concerns of America's small business owners."

To determine the size of the grant packages, Brother International Corporation and StartupNation conducted an online poll on StartupNation that revealed the majority of small business owners (61 percent) started with less than $5,000 in capital to launch their company.

"We feel for our fellow small business owners who are facing the challenges of starting and growing a successful business," said Rich Sloan, co-founder of StartupNation. "That's why we're thrilled to partner with Brother to help these small business owners pursue their passion and seek out success."

Friday, March 2, 2012 marks the submission deadline for the five $5,000 grant packages and winners will be announced on Monday, March 26 on www.startupnation.com. Criteria for judging winners include originality, vision, creativity and ability to solve/address a problem or issue.

For complete rules, terms and conditions for Brother's small business grant program visit: http://www.startupnation.com/brother-small-business-grant-program.

About Brother
Brother International Corporation is one of the premier providers of products for the home, home office and office. The U.S. corporate office in Bridgewater, N. J., was established on April 21, 1954 and currently markets many industrial products, home appliances and business products manufactured by its parent company, Brother Industries, Ltd. of Nagoya, Japan.

These products include an award-winning line of Multi-Function Center® machines and printers. Brother also provides the number-one line of facsimile machines in the U.S. and is the leader in electronic labeling, with its full line of P-touch® Electronic Labeling Systems. For more information you can visit the website at www.brother.com.

About StartupNation
StartupNation is a free entrepreneurial online service founded by entrepreneur brothers, Jeff and Rich Sloan. The site offers a one-stop shop for small business resources including step-by-step advice, articles, expert blogs, podcasts, member-to-member networking, contests and small business forums. For more information you can visit the website at www.startupnation.com.

Contact: Mary McCeney, MSL Group
646.500.7738
[email protected]

SOURCE Brother International Corporation