Free online resource unveiled to help entrepreneurs build blueprint for success
TORONTO, ON (November 22, 2012) – The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) today launched a dynamic new online Business Resource Centre to support young entrepreneurs and the mentors who help them along the way. Available at no cost, the Business Resource Centre can be accessed at cybf.ca/resources.
The new Business Resource Centre features specialized multimedia tools such as webinars, ‘how-to’ educational videos and articles that provide much-needed education and support, and the ability to connect with experts and receive valuable business advice.
The highlight of the Business Resource Centre is a new interactive Business Plan Writer, designed to complement CYBF’s application process that aims to ensure more Canadians can benefit from CYBF’s program of start-up financing and mentoring in a straightforward, user-friendly way. The Business Plan Writer was developed by young entrepreneurs in consultation with a CYBF expert Entrepreneur-in-Residence and helps entrepreneurs create their roadmap to success.
“Our goal is for the new Business Resource Centre to be the “go-to” place for information and online resources for young entrepreneurs and their business mentors throughout every stage of their business development, from pre-launch to growth and expansion,” said Terry Campbell, Chief Operating Officer, CYBF.
The Centre, which features English and French content organized by industry type, location, business stage and audience needs, was developed thanks to generous funding provided by BMO Financial Group.
“Our partnership with BMO Financial Group means that we can help better educate, inform and provide greater opportunities for young entrepreneurs to succeed,” said Campbell. “BMO Financial Group is a strong supporter of small business and youth entrepreneurship, and with their support, CYBF can make these vital tools available to more people who can benefit from them. This has a direct impact on their own success, and, ultimately, Canada’s economic success.”
BMO Financial Group pledged $500,000 over five years to develop the Centre, starting this past January. Over the remaining four years, it will be further enhanced with additional multimedia resources that meet the growing and changing needs of young entrepreneurs, based on their own input and suggestions.
“At BMO we believe in the innovation and opportunity that entrepreneurs create, and we recognize that with time being a commodity in short supply for most business owners, having access to timely, relevant information when it’s convenient for them, is extremely beneficial,” says Joe Collura, Small Business Area Manager, BMO Bank of Montreal. “We are proud to help support young entrepreneurs, and this Business Resource Centre will be an invaluable resource to them as they develop, launch and work to grow their businesses.”
For more information about CYBF programs and resources, please visit cybf.ca. To learn more about how BMO Financial Group is supporting small businesses, visit bmo.com/home/small-business.
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About the Canadian Youth Business Foundation – Canada’s Entrepreneur Gateway
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the ‘go to’ place for youth entrepreneurship. As a national organization, we are dedicated to growing Canada’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-39, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. CYBF is the founder of the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES) and founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA). www.cybf.ca.
About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817 as Bank of Montreal, BMO Financial Group is a highly-diversified North American financial services organization. With total assets of $542 billion as at July 31, 2012, and more than 46,000 employees, BMO Financial Group provides a broad range of retail banking, wealth management and investment banking products and solutions.
For more information please contact:
Lesley Wilmot
Director, Marketing and Communications, CYBF
(416) 408-2923, ext. 2203
lwilmot@cybf.ca
