Splashlife Partners with Lincoln Financial Group to Launch Generation Innovation, An Initiative Designed to Support and Reward the Nation's Young Entrepreneurs

MILWAUKEE, Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- It is time for the nation's young entrepreneurs to bring their bright ideas to life, and a new initiative called Generation Innovation is making that possible. Splashlife, a network designed to provide young people with tools to pursue their dreams, is partnering with Lincoln Financial Group to launch an online contest which will award young entrepreneurs in a variety of categories -- from Entrepreneurs for Social Change, to Women Entrepreneurs and Veteran Entrepreneurs -- with $2,500 Lincoln Grants to implement their innovative business ideas.

The launch of the contest will coincide with the closing ceremony of The White House Youth Entrepreneur Summit, hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement, the White House Business Council, and the Small Business Administration, in which Splashlife Founder and CEO Melissa Helmbrecht will speak about the importance of empowering young entrepreneurs in order to create a better future for our country.

Helmbrecht's remarks will be live-streamed tonight at 7:30 p.m. CST on whitehouse.gov/live.

"With many young people still facing issues of unemployment nationwide, it is time to empower them to create their own destiny and pursue their groundbreaking business ideas," said Splashlife chief executive officer Melissa Helmbrecht. "Young entrepreneurs are the artists who will paint our country's future and our goal is to provide them with the tools needed to begin that process and create impactful change."

Young entrepreneurs (age 35 and younger) can submit business ideas in one of 12 categories at www.Splashlife.com/GenerationInnovation.  At least one winner will be selected every month in 2012 and each will be awarded a $2,500 Lincoln Grant to put toward starting their business. Peers from across the country can view submissions online and vote for the best ideas.

"We are honored to support this inventive program that encourages young entrepreneurs to take charge of their futures," said Nancy Rogers, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Lincoln Financial. "This effort could not have come at a more important time in our nation's history, when innovative thinking has such potential to contribute to the economic growth of our country and the sustainability of our communities. We look forward to seeing the exciting ideas that surface as a result of this contest."

"It doesn't matter what zip code you live in. It doesn't matter what is going on in your family and personal life. It doesn't matter how many challenges life has thrown at you," said Helmbrecht. "If you have the best idea to launch a business, we are here to help."

Splashlife proudly partnered with HelpersUnite.com, the world's first and only crowd-funding site that empowers artists and entrepreneurs to raise money for charities in parallel with their project fundraiser, in designing and implementing this important initiative.

For more information or to submit a business idea please visit www.splashlife.com/GenerationInnovation.

About Splashlife
Launched in 2011, Splashlife serves as a resource and advocacy group for the rising generation of 75 million young Americans. Splashlife provides a network of support, information and the tools necessary to help young people improve their lives and the lives of others. Through its online platform, Splashlife enables its members to connect with their peers and affect change in their communities and the world around them. For more information please visit www.splashlife.com.

About Lincoln Financial Group
Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $153 billion as of September 30, 2011. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life, disability and dental insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

SOURCE Splashlife