Do you have a business idea and the passion to make it happen? The Community Futures Enterprize Challenge is an entrepreneurship competition designed to provide new and start-up businesses the opportunity to “pitch” their idea and be one of three winners sharing prizes worth over $35,000.
Similar to CBC’s Dragons’ Den – Community Futures and VantageOne Credit Union have teamed up for a third year; to offer this program in an effort to support and promote entrepreneurship in our region.
“Businesses that were started in 2016, as well as potential start-ups are encouraged to register,” said Leigha Horsfield, Business Manager with Community Futures.
Participants will pitch their business concept to a panel of judges. The presentation will describe the product or service, the operations of the business and who the target market is. Seven participants will advance to deliver a final presentation and the winners will be announced at an awards event and Tradeshow in April.
Last year’s Enterprize Challenge saw 23 entrepreneurs register in the program. Judges had the difficult task of choosing finalists. They included: Out & About Companion Driving Service, Vision FX, Healing Arts Finder, The BBQ Pitstop, Parks Sustainable Design/Build and Brent Selver Designs-Convert a Bike.
The winner, Jaye Coward with Farm Bound says: “The Enterprize Challenge was a brilliant process, the feedback, exposure and prizes were a perfect launchpad for our business to grow in the community.
“Since the Enterprize Challenge our weekly extras sale has tripled and our local deliveries have doubled,” said Coward.
“Our hope is that budding entrepreneurs with great ideas will participate and get support in starting businesses in our region,” said Horsfield.
For more information or to register for the program log on to EnterprizeChallenge.ca. The deadline is Feb. 10.
The Community Futures Enterprize Challenge 2017 is presented by VantageOne Credit Union. Other partners include, KPMG, Nixon Wenger, Sproing Creative, The Morning Star, Sun FM, Futurpreneur Canada, Wholesale Grafix, Accelerate Okanagan, City of Vernon, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and Okanagan College.