LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Do you believe in and love Lake County? Have a dream to own your own business or ready to take your small business to the next level? Are you willing to attend a one-day training and pitch your idea for a cash prize?

If you answered yes to these questions then you are an ideal candidate for “Hands Up Lake County,” a project of 1Team 1Dream, a local nonprofit entity with a mission to support and promote economic prosperity in Lake County.

Hands Up Lake County is a competition inspired by Shark Tank and other competitions that reward entrepreneurial creativity and business development – such as Start Up Mendocino, The Freemont Economic Development Corps and Fordham’s Foundry, Venture Up!

In the Lake County competition, five finalists will compete on-stage for cash prizes of $10,000, $5,000, $3,000, $1,500 and $1,000.

The application window is from April 1 through June 30. Applying is the first in a multi-step process applicants will undergo. Applications for the Hands Up Lake County competition can be filled out either online or downloaded and mailed in, there are no fees whatsoever to participate in the competition.

Details about the application process and the 1Team 1Dream nonprofit can be found at www.1team1dream.net .

“After a review of all applications received, we will select 10 to 15 to attend a basic business planning training at the New Paradigm College in Lucerne. The next step is a competition where five finalists will be selected to advance to the final step, an on-stage competition before a panel of judges and the audience,” said Olga Steele, 1Team 1Dream co-founder and board member.

Jeff Warrenburg, a 1Team 1Dream board member and owner of Paradise Skate Roller Rink and Arcade, said the five finalists will receive mentoring and customized instruction based on individual need.

“We want to provide each finalist an opportunity to make a winning presentation,” he said.

The finale, gala and celebration are on Dec. 6 at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport.

In addition to Hands Up Lake County, the nonprofit launched another venture with donations received from a green project called MGIC, sponsored by the Lodge at Blue Lakes.

“For every green decision a lodging customer makes while on an extended stay at the Lodge, 1Team 1Dream receives a $5 donation, which adds up over the course of a year,” said Steele. “In turn, our board selects and makes a donation to another local nonprofit. This year we selected the Lake County Land Trust.”

“The Hands Up Lake County competition is a first in Lake County,” said Maryann Schmid, founder and vice-chair of 1Team 1Dream. “We realize this is a challenging time for our community and hope this project will stoke the creativity of budding entrepreneurs and small businesses. We are excited and hope to expand the project in coming years.”

“Maryann and her husband, Peter Schmid, are matching all donations received for the cash prizes,” said Steele. “Donors will present the prizes awarded at the gala and will be recognized in our advertising and media coverage.”

“Everywhere we look we see the potential for a thriving economy,” said Schmid. “Our dream is to be a positive force for creativity and entrepreneurialism and to foster a spirit of giving that will resonate with Lake County philanthropic interests,” she said.

To become a sponsor or for more information call 916-849-8170.