Oliver J. bell

fall 2025

BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION

PEP invites you to join us for the Fall 2025 Business Plan Competition Event.

The final twelve teams will pitch their business plans for you to judge, scoring them based on specific criteria to decide which business stands out as the most viable.

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
PEP participant presenting a business plan idea to volunteers and executives during a pitch event.
Panel of volunteers and business leaders attentively listening to PEP participants during a business plan pitch event.
PEP participant presenting a business plan to a panel of executives and volunteers during a pitch event.
About the Buisness Plan Competition
You are to assume the role of a hypothetical investor in our participants' businesses (although no real deals are made).

Your job is to listen to business plan presentations from each of the ten teams and assess them based on four "Pitch Elements." We are not trying to create business plans that are “good for an inmate.” These should be high-quality and well-planned business concepts, and your direct feedback will help improve their plans. You will also be able to support and encourage the men and their ideas.

PEP participant delivering a business plan presentation while volunteers and executives listen attentively.
Pitch Elements
Oliver J. Bells Unit

901 E 5th St, Cleveland, TX 77327
Click for directions

WHEN IS THE EVENT :

Friday, September 19, 2025
9:00 am - 4:00 PM

MEET THE TEAMS

Meet the Bell Fall 2025 BPC Teams

COMING SOON

MEET THE TEAMS

Meet the Bell Fall 2025 BPC Teams

Click each team to review their business plan.
The final four teams will be announced at 5 pm on Thursday, September 18. 

SECOND-CHANCE TEAMS

SCHEDULE DETAILS

Business Plan Competition Agenda

8:30 AM
Arrival and Check-In

Please ensure that the only things you bring into prison are your driver’s license, car keys and pre-approved medical devices. (No cell phones, smart watches, food, liquids, knives, bombs, wild animals)

9:00 AM
Breakfast mix and mingle w/participants

This is an excellent opportunity for you to get to know the participants in the class. 

9:45 am
Event Intro
10:20 AM
Round One Pitches

This is an excellent opportunity for you to get to know the participants in the class. 

11:30 AM
Lunch

Another great opportunity to connect with the class members over a specially prepared meal.

12:10 PM
PEP Clubhouse

A public forum with the Fall 2025 Class, Servant-Leaders, Volunteers and PEP Staff.

12:45 PM
BPC Finals

The top six teams from Round One will pitch their businesses.

2:05 PM
Move to Gym for Graduation

If you are not staying for the graduation ceremony, a staff member will escort you to the front so you can leave. 

3:00 PM
Graduation Ceremony Begins

You will have an opportunity before the ceremony starts to create congratulatory signs for the Fall 2025 Graduates. 

4:00 PM
Graduation Reception Begins

We will serve sweets and snacks as the graduates reconnect with their family members. This is a special time that is not to be missed!

LOCATION
LOCATION ADDRESS :

901 E 5th St, Cleveland, TX 77327

PROVIDE WORDS OF ENCOOURAGEMENT

GRADUATION REMARKS

Provide a note of encouragement to be included in the Bell Fall 2025 Graduation program.

All remarks must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM on Wednesday, September 10th, to be included in the program.

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