In the News
Emerging Entrepreneurs Compete to Win $10,000 in B.C.’s Northwest
May 3, 2016
Emerging Entrepreneurs Compete to Win $10,000 in B.C.’s Northwest
ThriveNorth’s Business Challenge Finals: Saturday, May 7, 2016
Vancouver, BC (May 3, 2016) – Twelve men and women will compete on Saturday, May 7th to win up to $10,000 for their local business in the second annual ThriveNorth Business Challenge – a live business pitch competition that recognizes young entrepreneurs in B.C.’s Northwest.
Since being selected in March, the finalists – who are from Prince Rupert and Terrace, British Columbia – have received training and coaching to help them prepare to face the judges when they pitch their business ideas and compete to win the top spot in three categories – Best New Business, Best New Social Enterprise, Best Growth Opportunity.
The event, which is hosted by Futurpreneur Canada and Prince Rupert LNG (the proposed LNG project on Ridley Island), is an initiative that aims to inspire and support people aged 18-39 in the region to launch and grow their own businesses. A total of $40,000 dollars in prize money will be handed out on Saturday night.
“It’s inspiring to see these bright young people working to grow their businesses and ultimately their communities through entrepreneurship,” says Julia Deans, CEO of Futurpreneur Canada. “Through the ThriveNorth Business Challenge, young people get access to the training, funding and networks they need to build their businesses and strengthen their communities.”
“We’d like to congratulate everyone who has participated in this year’s Business Challenge,” says Simon Nish, Vice President, Sustainability with Prince Rupert LNG. “We extend a special congratulations to the impressive group of young entrepreneurs who will present their business ideas in the finals this weekend. We are thrilled to be working directly with local entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses.”
The ThriveNorth Business Challenge Finals kick off on Saturday, May 7th at 2:00 p.m. at the R.E.M. Lee Theatre in Terrace. The awards ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m.
The public is encouraged to watch the live pitches. Audience members can vote for their favourite business pitch and the finalist with the most audience votes will receive $2,500 towards their business.
ThriveNorth Business Challenge Finalists & Categories:
Best New Business
- Hanna Bryant, Prince Rupert
- Bobby Middleton, Terrace
- David Tran, Prince Rupert
- Jill Whitfield, Terrace
Best New Social Enterprise
- Heather Bohn, Terrace
- Tara Irwin, Terrace
- Jordan Leask, Prince Rupert
- Andrea Pollack, Prince Rupert
Best Growth Opportunity
- Johanne Chaine, Terrace
- Kristine Ewald & Simone Crook, Terrace
- Jason Hakki, Prince Rupert
- Tyler Meers, Prince Rupert
About ThriveNorth:
ThriveNorth empowers young people to start and grow businesses in the Northwest region of British Columbia. It provides emerging business owners, between the ages of 18 to 39, with resources, financing, mentoring and connections in their communities. ThriveNorth is a joint initiative between Futurpreneur Canada and Prince Rupert LNG, the proposed LNG project on Ridley Island.
Launched in November 2014, ThriveNorth was created through a five-year partnership established by Youth Business International (YBI), a global network of independent non-profit initiatives supporting youth entrepreneurship. Futurpreneur Canada is YBI’s Canadian member and has been helping young and emerging business owners since 1996.
For more information about ThriveNorth, visit the website: www.thrivenorth.ca
Media Contact:
Gina Robinson
Curve Communications
gina@curvecommunications.com
D: 604-248-4203
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