Magazine seeks entries for entrepreneur contest

The call for entries has begun for Entrepreneur magazine’s Entrepreneur of 2012 contest presented by The UPS Store. For the fifth year running, Entrepreneur is searching nationwide for extraordinary entrepreneurs to share their inspired stories on how they have revolutionized their industries and positively impacted their employees and communities. Nominees are being accepted until June 15, 2012.

Businesses with no more than 100 employees and gross sales revenue of at least $3 million in 2011 qualify for the Entrepreneur of 2012 award. The Emerging Entrepreneur of 2012 is open to companies with no more than 12 employees that posted at least $350,000 in gross sales revenue in 2011. Entrepreneurs can submit their entries at entrepreneur.com/e2012.

College students with promising business ideas can enter their business plans for a chance to win $5,000 in startup capital. Interested students should visit entrepreneur.com/e2012college. Entrants must be either undergraduate or graduate students between the ages of 18 and 25 during the time of submission.

“Now more than ever, it is an honor to hold the title of entrepreneur,” says Amy Cosper, vice president and editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “The ones who will stand out in this competition are those who go above and beyond profits. It’s not enough for them to excel in their own companies — they want to advance their industries and improve the lives of those around them. We’re excited to see who has that winning spirit this year.”

Last year’s winners included Entrepreneur of 2011 Lee Rhodes of glassybaby, Emerging Entrepreneur of 2011 Adam Nelson of Good Nite Lite, and College Entrepreneur of 2011 Gabrielle Palermo of G3Box.