The Rhode Island Business Plan Competition, a public-private partnership of companies, universities and colleges, and state agencies that promotes entrepreneurship and development of start-up and early stage companies in the state, today announced the launch of its 2011 competition.

At the same time, it announced a kick-off event to be held Wednesday, Oct. 27, to introduce and explain the 2011 competition. The event, which is free to the public, will be held 5 – 6:30 p.m. at the Rhode Island Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Providence. Pre-registration is required and may be completed online at www.ri-bizplan.com.