Occidental Management Launches “UpStart ICT Challenge” to Help Propel Local Entrepreneurs

Wichita-based commercial real estate development company, Occidental Management, Inc. (OMI) is launching a new challenge on July 26th to help get a new business off the ground. The challenge will result in one participant receiving a favorable base lease package at one of the properties Occidental Management manages, as well as marketing/publicity and business connections packages.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our community,” said Chad Stafford, President of Occidental Management. “The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in Wichita and our goal at Occidental Management is to attract top talent and support and grow local businesses. So, the UpStart ICT Challenge was devised to help a start-up business set up for success.”

Several local business organizations are partnering with OMI on the Challenge by providing services, memberships, and/or discounts as part of the Challenge rewards package, including Cox Media and Cox Business Services, ESPN Wichita 92.3 FM, Wichita Independent Business Association, Alloy Architecture, 2A Marketing, Be Local/Real Producers, NG Creative, and more.

“Wayne Bell, District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration, said it’s always exciting to see new competitions emerge for early-stage businesses looking for additional resources to help with growth.  While SBA cannot formally endorse competitions, we definitely applaud all efforts to cultivate the entrepreneurial spirit and look forward to sharing the free SBA resources with participants.”

Challenge Overview

The Challenge is open to any prospective business, new franchise, or current home- or online-based business looking to expand into a commercial space. (Existing businesses wanting to expand and/or relocate are not eligible.) The promotion is designed to lease the move-in ready commercial space at 8641 W. 13^th St. N., Suites 101-102 at Tyler Pointe Shopping Center in Northwest Wichita to an interested entrepreneur.

The Challenge will consist of multiple “rounds.” Interested participants must attend an Open house at the Challenge space, then submit their business plan, a pitch deck, and credit application via upstartict.com, to be approved. Occidental Management will review all entries and narrow them down to up to five approved candidates.

Those candidates will then move on to a round of live, in-person presentations at the Challenge space in front of a panel of judges comprised of OMI employees and business professionals. The judges will select one final winner, who will be offered the right to enter into a 42-month minimum lease at the Challenge space with six months free base rent* as well as publicity and marketing support.

Challenge Timeline

• Round 1: Open House at Challenge Space – Wednesday, July 26 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
• Round 2: Challenge Submissions Due Via upstartict.com – August 23
• Round 3: Live, In-Person Presentations at Challenge Space –Tues, September 12 at 9:00 a.m.
• Winner Announced – September 20

Challenge Rewards**

The UpStart ICT Challenge rewards package is valued at more than $30,000!**

• Favorable Lease Terms:
  • One participant will be offered a favorable lease with a minimum term of 42 months, which will include six months of free base rent at Tyler Pointe Shopping Center, Suite 101-102.* This space is essentially move-in ready for a health/fitness-related business; however, this Challenge is not limited to business concepts within the health/fitness industry.
    • *Base rent only. Six months is from the time of possession of the leased space. Up to 3,029 sq ft. Triple Net (NNN) costs (which include common area maintenance, taxes, insurance), utilities, and any tenant renovations are not included.
  • Business Connections Package:
    • Architectural services from Alloy Architecture
    • Business consultation with Occidental Management’s Founder & CEO, Gary Oborny
    • 1-year free membership with Wichita Independent Business Association
    • Discount on internet service from Cox Business
    • Pro-bono preconstruction budgeting and support from Conco Construction along with a discount on construction fee, mentions on media outlets, and business-related mentorship from Conco’s President and CEO, Craig Nelson.
  • Publicity & Marketing Package:

• • TV Advertising Package from Cox Media

• Photo and video package from NG Creative
• Radio spots on ESPN
• Coverage on the OMI and Tyler Pointe Shopping Center websites
• Coverage on the OMI and Tyler Pointe Shopping Center social media channels
• Coverage in OMI press release(s)
• Article in VISION eZine, produced by OMI
• Branding consultation and design package with OMI’s marketing team
• Website design and development discount by 2A Marketing
• Promotion on BeLocal’s social media

Challenge Website:

• UpStart ICT Challenge: com
• Open House RSVP: com/upstartict-open-house
• Entry Form: com/upstartict-entry-form
• **Prize Package: com/upstart-prizes/
• Challenge Sponsors: com/upstartict-sponsors
• Terms & Conditions: com/upstartict-terms

About Occidental Management

Occidental Management is a premier commercial real estate development and management company in the Midwest that operates in multiple real estate segments, including retail, office and industrial. Occidental Management is a vertically integrated company with development, construction, sales and leasing brokerage, and property management services. Our professionalism, value creation and commitment to quality are the hallmarks of Occidental Management and its associates. We are known for our innovative and dynamic real estate development concepts. We focus on establishing strategic relationships with our partners, clients and investors to create ‘value-add’ results. Learn more at www.occmgmt.com.