News Articles
Guelph to Host Business Pitching Competition
CME students organize one of four regional contests being held throughout Canada
BY DEIRDRE HEALEY
Canada's largest student-run business pitching competition is coming to U of G. Aspiring student entrepreneurs will battle for cash prizes at the 2009 central regional Enterprize Canada Business Plan Competition, to be held on campus Jan. 17. Guelph students interested in competing must register before Nov. 16.
The regional competition involves students from post-secondary institutions across Ontario and Manitoba competing for $6,000 in cash prizes. It's open to undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines.
Competitors can enter in teams of two to six and are required to submit a business plan by Nov. 30. The plans will be reviewed by a national board of judges, and 10 teams will be chosen to pitch their ideas at the U of G event.
“This is a huge competition,” says Prof. David Prescott, associate dean (academic) of the College of Management and Economics (CME). “Hosting the regional event at the University of Guelph is going to raise the profile of the college across the country. It's also student-run, so it's a marvellous opportunity for our students to plan an event of this size.”
The Guelph event is one of four regional competitions held throughout Canada involving students from about 30 post-secondary institutions. The top three teams from each regional event will move on to the national competition Feb. 6 and 7 at the University of British Columbia, where they'll compete in front of prominent business leaders for $35,000 in cash prizes.
The top three teams will also win other rewards to help launch their businesses, such as interest-free or low-interest start-up loans, access to research labs and equipment, and industry mentorships.
“This is a very exciting project for CME, and I am thrilled to be a part of it," says Emily Bremner, one of the student organizers. “Enterprize is an incredible opportunity for Guelph students to showcase their talents and bring their business ideas to life.”
For more information, visit www.enterprizecanada.org or send e-mail to Emily.bremner@enterprizecanada.org.