HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Commission for Women and the Pennsylvania Chapters of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) yesterday announced that due to significant public interest, the entry deadlines for the Business Plan Competition have been extended by one week.

Applicants must now submit an “Intent to Compete” form by Aug. 20 and an Application no later than Aug. 27.

The competition, which celebrates female entrepreneurship, is open to women business owners in Pennsylvania who started their business on or after January 1, 2012. The winning business owner will receive a $10,000 cash prize to assist in the implementation of their business plan.

“We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from women business owners across Pennsylvania,” said Sue Schick, Chair of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. “We are committed to ensuring that every eligible female entrepreneur has an opportunity to apply for this exciting opportunity.”

NAWBO Greater Pittsburgh, NAWBO Greater Philadelphia and NAWBO Northeast PA, will each select one finalist to compete at the 2014 Women’s Mentorship Symposium on Sept. 30, 2014, in Pittsburgh.

Finalists will present fast-pitch business plans to a panel of three judges, including: Lori Greiner, the “warm blooded shark”™ on the hit entrepreneurial business show “Shark Tank” on ABC; Julia Hearthway, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry; and Renee Amoore, founder and president of The Amoore Group, Inc.

For additional information on the Business Plan Competition, including the rules and application process, please visit www.nawbopabizplancomp.org.

The Business Plan Competition is part of the 2014 Women’s Mentorship Symposium: Paying It Forward, hosted by the Pennsylvania Commission for Women. The event will take place at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Pittsburgh on Sept. 30, 2014. Additional information about the symposium is available online at www.pa.gov/commissionforwomen.