1. DESCRIPTION. With the goal of fostering the growth of new Puerto Rican entrepreneurs in the retail sector and providing the support they need to drive their businesses’ success, Plaza Las Américas, Inc. (“Plaza Las Américas”) and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“Banco Popular,” and together with Plaza Las Américas, sometimes referred to collectively as the “organizers” and/or the “sponsors”) have joined forces for this business development initiative called “Travesía al Éxito Empresarial”.
“Travesía al Éxito Empresarial” is a competition promoted by Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular that offers a platform of benefits and incentives to help establish and grow a new business at Plaza Las Américas.
2. DURATION OF THE INITIATIVE. “Travesía al Éxito Empresarial” (hereinafter the “Competition”) begins on August 4th, 2025 and concludes on April 1st, 2026, or on the date of signing of the Contract referred to in Section 6(h) of these Rules, whichever occurs first.
3. DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATION. Participants must submit their entry electronically by accessing the link to the application form at www.plazalasamericas.com in the Travesía al Éxito section, by midnight on September 5th, 2025 (“Participation Deadline”).
4. SPONSOR. This Competition is sponsored by Plaza Las Américas, whose contact information is as follows:
(a) Postal Address: PO Box 363268, San Juan, PR 00936-3268
(b) Physical Address: 525 F.D. Roosevelt Ave., Hato Rey, PR 00918
(c) Online Address: https://www.plazalasamericas.com/
In partnership with Banco Popular, whose contact information is as follows:
(d) Postal Address: (736) P.O. Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708
(e) Physical Address: Ave. Muñoz Rivera #209, Piso 7, Suite 702, Hato Rey, PR 00918 (Oficina Central)
(f) Online Address: https://www.popular.com/
5. ELIGIBILITY. Anyone who meets each of the following criteria is eligible to participate in the Competition:
a) Be a legal resident of Puerto Rico.
b) Be of legal age (at least twenty-one (21) years old) by the Participation Deadline.
c) The business must be established exclusively in Puerto Rico.
d) Participants must own at least 51% of the shares and/or interest in the business and must hold managerial leadership positions in it.
e) The business cannot be a franchise or a subsidiary of another company established inside or outside of Puerto Rico.
f) The business must not have been operating in the market for more than three (3) years as of the Participation Deadline, but must have at least one (1) year of sales experience that demonstrates the need for its service and/or product and its production capability.
g) The business must not have been a tenant (a business owner who has had a location) in any shopping center in Puerto Rico during the twelve months prior to the Participation Deadline.
h) Only one business may be submitted per participant or per family unit.
i) The product or service of the business initiative must be compatible with the operation of kiosks in Plaza Las Américas and complement the existing stores in the shopping center.
j) For this competition, businesses or initiatives related to clothing, food, beverages, jewelry, or footwear will not be considered.
k) Employees of Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, their parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, as well as their advertising agencies, public relations agencies, consultants, and sponsors who have been directly involved in the development, promotion, or supervision of the competition, as well as their immediate family members up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or second degree of affinity, or anyone living with such employees, are not eligible to participate.
l) Winners of previous editions of the Travesía al Éxito Empresarial competition at Plaza Las Américas or Plaza Del Caribe shopping centers are also not eligible.
6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
a) Participants must submit a business proposal that includes the following elements for evaluation: (1) Description of the Product (or Service) and the Company; (2) Target Market; (3) Prospective Client; (4) Competitor Analysis; (5) Business Model and Sales Projections; (6) Management Team; (7) Concept Validation; (8) Marketing Plan; and (9) Operations. Participants must also submit a photo or video of their product or service. If they have additional photos or videos, they may attach up to three (3) more.
b) The competition organizers will select the panel of judges who will evaluate each stage of the competition.
c) Participants authorize that both their initial and final proposals may be shared with the panel of judges for evaluation at every stage.
d) The panel of judges may request additional information from participants at any point in the competition to verify their eligibility and the information provided.
e) The panel of judges reserves the right to disqualify any participant at any stage of the competition if it is determined they did not meet the requirements, submitted false information, or for any other valid reason.
f) Both the panel of judges and the organizers reserve the right not to select any winners if no participant meets the program requirements and/or the shopping center's policies.
g) The company ultimately selected as the winner agrees to comply with all policies and regulations of Plaza Las Américas, Inc., as well as all applicable laws, permits, and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
h) To receive the full prize as detailed in Section 8 of these Rules (hereinafter referred to as the “Prize”), the winner must sign a contract with Plaza Las Américas Inc. (the “Contract”), which will be shared with the finalists before submitting their final business plan, and must also have a business account at Banco Popular.
i) By participating, competitors grant Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, their sponsors, parent companies and affiliates, advertising agencies, public relations and promotions agencies, and hired mentors the right to use their name, likeness, voice, photos, videos, and/or company image in advertising by any media, inside or outside Puerto Rico, to publicize authorized information from their participation, without any compensation of any kind.
j) By submitting their entries, participants certify that they have read and accepted the Competition Rules as written and have voluntarily decided to participate, with no further requirements.
k) This Competition is subject to all applicable laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. A copy of the Competition Rules can be obtained at the Customer Service Center of Plaza Las Américas during its operating hours or at www.plazalasamericas.com.
7. SELECTION OF POTENTIAL WINNER.
a) Business proposals submitted within the specified dates for this Competition will be evaluated by a panel of judges, who will select up to ten (10) semifinalists based on their scores. Semifinalists will be notified no later than Monday, September 29th, 2025. To be considered a semifinalist, a minimum score of 36 points from the judging panel is required. In the event of a tie, the panel may select additional semifinalists.
b) The ten (10) semifinalists will be required to make a presentation/interview of approximately 20 minutes before the panel of judges on Friday, October 3rd, 2025. Participation in this presentation/interview is mandatory. In addition, participants must bring samples of their products and/or services. After these interviews, the panel will select up to five (5) finalists from among the ten semifinalists, who will be announced on Monday, October 6th, 2025.
c) The five (5) finalists must attend a workshop on Thursday, October 9th, 2025. Attendance at this workshop is required.
d) The five (5) finalists also agree to take part in videos, press interviews, and presentations prepared or coordinated by the sponsors for this and other promotional events.
e) The five (5) finalists will present during the “Travesía al Éxito Showcase” event, which will take place at Plaza Las Américas on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th, 2025.
f) The finalists must submit a complete business plan by Friday, October 31st, 2025, at 5:00 pm. The business plan must follow the parameters and formats covered in the workshop. Business plans are to be submitted electronically via the link provided at www.plazalasamericas.com in the Travesía Al Éxito section. Business plans submitted after 5:00 pm on October 31st, 2025, will not be accepted.
g) The five (5) finalists must present their business proposals to the panel of judges on Friday, November 7th, 2025. Any finalist who does not present on this date will be disqualified from the Competition. Each finalist will have seven (7) minutes to present, thirteen (13) minutes for questions and answers, and must bring samples of their products and/or services.
h) The participant with the highest score will be selected as the winner of the Travesía al Éxito Empresarial. The decision of the judging panel is final.
i) If the selected winner is disqualified or an agreement cannot be reached, the organizers reserve the right to select the next highest-scoring finalist as the new winner.
j) The panel of judges may request additional information from participants at any time to verify their eligibility and the information submitted.
k) The panel reserves the right to disqualify any participant at any stage of the Competition if it is determined that they did not meet the requirements, submitted false information, or for any other valid reason.
l) The organizers reserve the right not to select any winners in this Competition if none of the participants meet the program’s requirements and/or the policies of Plaza Las Américas shopping center.
8. PRIZE. The winner of this Competition will receive:
Banco Popular and Plaza Las Américas, Inc. reserve the right to substitute the Prize for another of equal or greater value. The Prize is non-transferable and cannot be partially or entirely exchanged by the Competition winner for cash. The winner is entirely responsible for any federal, state, and/or local taxes applicable to the acceptance and receipt of the Prize, as well as any other related costs.
9. NOTIFICATION TO POTENTIAL WINNER. The potential winner will be notified personally, by phone call, and/or by email. The announcement will be made on or before Tuesday, November 11th, 2025. If the selected individual is disqualified or an agreement cannot be reached, Plaza Las Américas, Inc. reserves the right to choose a new winner from the remaining finalists. The new winner would be the one with the second highest score. The potential winner must respond within forty-eight (48) hours of notification to claim the Prize (the “Period”). If the potential winner does not respond within the Period, it will be understood that they have forfeited the Prize, and an alternate potential winner will be notified (in the same manner as the original potential winner), who will also have forty-eight (48) hours to respond.
10. PRIZE DELIVERY. Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular will coordinate the delivery of the Prize. Before receiving the Prize, the winner must:
a) Provide a copy of their valid driver’s license or another official government-issued photo ID; and
b) Sign and submit to Banco Popular a Certification of Eligibility and Liability Release.
The cash prize of $20,000.00 will be disbursed in two (2) payments. The first payment, representing 50%, will be made via electronic transfer to the winner’s business account at Banco Popular within five (5) business days from the time the winner claims their Prize. The remaining 50%, that is, $10,000.00, will be delivered upon signing the Contract with Plaza Las Américas. If the winner does not have a business account with Banco Popular, they must complete the required process to open one before the first payment is released.
Banco Popular reserves the right to choose an alternative method to award the $20,000, such as a debit card, check, or other means.
11. WINNER'S OBLIGATIONS.
a) The winner must obtain the necessary permits and open their kiosk at Plaza Las Américas on or before April 1st, 2026.
b) The winner commits to providing monthly progress updates and meeting with the assigned mentor for six (6) months after being selected. All business decisions remain the winner’s responsibility, and the mentor’s role is limited to offering guidance and general recommendations.
c) The winner is also required to submit monthly sales reports punctually as set forth in the Contract.
12. DISQUALIFICATIONS. Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular reserve the right to review each participant to determine their eligibility for the Competition and compliance with these Rules and any applicable requirements. Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular may disqualify any participant (including winners) at any time for failing to comply with these Rules or any applicable requirements. Any attempt to violate these Rules and/or provide false information will be dealt with according to current laws.
13. CONSENT TO USE OF IMAGE. By accepting the Prize, the winner gives Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular, Inc., their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective advertising, promotions, and public relations agencies, the irrevocable right to use their image (including name, photograph, portrait, voice, signature, likeness, or any representation of themself) for any purpose related to the Competition (including commercial, merchandising, or advertising purposes), their business and/or enterprise, and any products or services offered as part of the Carretas program of Plaza Las Américas, in any media, anywhere in the world, for an unlimited period, without notice, consent, or compensation.
14. LIABILITY RELEASE.
a) Participants release and discharge Plaza Las Américas (its directors, officers, employees, and agents) and Banco Popular (its directors, officers, employees, agents, parent company, subsidiaries, and affiliates) and other sponsors, from all liability and from any loss, harm, or damage of any kind suffered by them, their company, heirs, successors, or relatives related to this Competition and the establishment and operation of the business connected to the awarded and accepted prize.
b) The responsibility of Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, consultants, and other sponsors is strictly limited to conferring and delivering the Prize. Once the Prize is awarded, no claims of any kind will be accepted. All obligations of Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, and other sponsors toward the winner will end and be fully satisfied at the time the Prize is conferred and delivered. Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, and the other sponsors are not responsible for any accident, damage, or direct or indirect loss suffered by the winner, or any other business or person, relating to the awarding, use, or operation of the prize’s business concept.
15. PRIVACY POLICY. The Promoter is committed to protecting and maintaining the confidentiality of participants’ personal, financial, and/or sensitive data, in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Visiting the website and providing Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) is completely voluntary. However, if you choose not to provide the requested information, you will not be able to participate in the Competition.
By providing PII, you accept the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. You also agree that your information may be stored and used for commercial and advertising purposes related to this Competition. Additionally, you authorize the Promoter to share, collect, compile, communicate, and transmit personal data received from participants with the other organizers of the Competition, their affiliated companies, and advertising agencies, in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws, and you confirm that all the information you provide is accurate.
Information will be collected and stored, including your Internet Protocol Address (also known as “IP”), or any other address you use to access the website. “Cookies” will be used for this purpose. Your name, email address, and any other personal information you provide will also be stored, solely for commercial and market research purposes.
Participant information and data will only be used as described in these Rules and the Privacy Policy. However, the Promoter may disclose your information if required by any law, government regulation, municipal ordinance, or court order. In such cases, you release and forever discharge the Promoter from any liability for any disclosure of information made in compliance with any law, government regulation, municipal ordinance, or court order.
The Promoter reserves the right, at any time and at its sole discretion, to change any part of the www.plazalasamericas.com website or its content, the Competition’s terms and conditions, and/or this Privacy Policy, in whole or in part. These changes become effective once posted on the website. By simply accessing the site, you are deemed to accept any updates and agree to abide by them.
16. META. This Competition is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, or any other social network. Participants release Facebook, Instagram, or any other social network from any liability related to the Competition.
17. APPLICABLE LAWS. This Competition is subject to all applicable laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (“Applicable Laws”). Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular reserve the right to suspend or cancel the Competition, or to modify these Rules, its terms and conditions, or the announced Prize.
18. ACCEPTANCE; RULES. Participation in the Competition constitutes full acceptance of these Rules and of the decisions of the organizers, which will be final and binding. The Competition Rules will be available at the following address: www.plazalasamericas.com/travesiaempresarial .
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