Overview

Cutoff for the period is October 31, 2024

Maximum Points for the Period = 5

List of Round 1 distinguished firms to be published mid-November 2024

Submit the Business Registration Form.
Submit the elevator pitch through the Competitions Manager
Submit the firm’s social media handle to the firm directory in Marketplace Tools
Submit and receive approval of loan application and angel investors through the Small Business Loan or Equity Investment applications
Submit a lease agreement to the Lease Agreement Form signed by a school administrator

Cutoff for the period is December 31, 2024

Maximum Points for the Period = 15

List of Round 2 distinguished firms to be published mid-January 2025

Register for an online trade show or live trade show on Marketplace Tools
Submit the company branding kit through the Competitions Manager
Submit an Executive Summary through the Competitions Manager
Submit payroll to employees through the Firm Bank Account
Submit payment to VE Realty (Account #630907080) through the Firm Bank Account or notify RD of rent payment to a VE firm
Submit payment to VE Utilities (Account #630907072) through the Firm Bank Account or notify RD of utilities payment to a VE firm
Student purchase product/service from another firm through their Personal Student Bank Account
Submit screenshot of QuickBooks bank account setup to the QBO Account Setup Form
Submit the 941 Withholding Payroll Tax Form
Submit 941 Remittance payment to VE Payroll Tax (Account #630907102) through the Firm Bank Account
Submit to the Risk Management Plan Submission Form
Submit to the Corporate Social Responsibility Policy Form
Purchase merchandise order on the Wholesale Marketplace and submit payment to VE Wholesale Marketplace (Account #630907145) through the Firm Bank Account
Submit insurance payment to VE Business Insurance (Account #630907153) or VE Workers Compensation (Account #630907153) through the Firm Bank Account or notify RD of insurance payment to a VE firm
Submit a screenshot your #veinternational post on social media with the signature of the facilitator to the VE International Evidence Form

Cutoff for the period is February 28, 2025

Maximum Points for the Period = 16

List of Round 3 distinguished firms to be published mid-March 2025

Participated in at least one trade show (Regional or National in Jan/Feb)
Submitted the Board of Directors Quarterly Report for Q3 (from Nov to Jan)
Participated in a local or regional qualifying round of the Business Plan Competition
Participated in a local or regional round of the FIN, HR, or MRK competitions
Participated in the National E-Commerce Website Competition
Participated in the National Video Commercial Competition
Processed at least one Payroll (Jan/Feb)
Processed at least one Rent payment (Jan/Feb)
Processed at least one Utilities payment (Jan/Feb)
Proof of sales made by the firm to individuals or other VE businesses
Evidence of student transactions (purchases made from student accounts in Jan/Feb with 80% of the students making at least one transaction)
Submitted the 941 Withholding Payroll Tax Form (Jan/Feb)
Processed the 941 Remittance payment (Jan/Feb)
Submitted the Sales Tax Form (Jan/Feb)
Submitted the Sales Tax Payment (Jan/Feb)
Evidence of firm website creation on Marketplace Tools

Cutoff for the period is April 30, 2025

Maximum Points for the Period = 19

List of Excellence firms (Gold, Silver, and Bronze circles) to be published mid-May 2025

Participated in at least one trade show (Regional or National in Mar/Apr)
Submitted a written business plan*
Qualified for the National Business Plan Competition (NBPC)
Received Top 20 Recognition for the NBPC
Qualified for the National Marketing Competition
Qualified for the National Human Resources Competition
Qualified for the National Finance Competition
Processed at least one Payroll (Mar/Apr)
Processed at least one Rent payment (Mar/Apr)
Processed at least one Utilities payment (Mar/Apr)
Proof of sales made by the firm to individuals or other VE businesses
Evidence of student transactions (purchases made in Mar/Apr with 80% of the students making at least one transaction)
Submitted the 941 Withholding Payroll Tax Form (Mar/Apr)
Processed the 941 Remittance payment (Mar/Apr)
Submitted the Sales Tax Form (Mar/Apr)
Submitted the Sales Tax Payment (Mar/Apr)
Used TurboTax to file 1040 Income Tax Form
Completed at least one international transaction (incoming only)

Cutoff for the period is May 31, 2025

Maximum Points for the Period = 6

Final list of Excellence firms (Gold, Silver, and Bronze circles) to be published mid-June 2025

Points may be submitted from August 2024 – May 2025 but may not be reflected until May 2025. Cutoff for bonus points is May 31, 2025.

Maximum Bonus Points = 3

Final list of Excellence firms (Gold, Silver, and Bronze circles) to be published mid-June 2025