Aspiring entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador receive boost in financing, mentoring and business support
Significant community investment announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week
St. John’s, Newfoundland—November 20, 2014 – Earlier today, Futurpreneur Canada (formerly the Canadian Youth Business Foundation) and TD Bank Group celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week by announcing a $375,000 investment by TD to help more Newfoundland and Labrador-based young entrepreneurs launch and run successful businesses.
This vital support from TD will provide financing, tools and expert business mentors for 10 new businesses in the region; launch a series of ‘Introduction to Entrepreneurship’ workshops to help new business owners get started on the path to success; and connect more young people with critical start-up support from Futurpreneur Canada and its partners, creating a thriving local entrepreneurial community.
This morning, St. John’s-based young entrepreneurs, mentors, community leaders – including Glenn Littlejohn, MHA for Port de Grave – and other key players in the entrepreneurial community came together at Common Ground Coworking to recognize the generous community investment from TD, and to take part in Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations.
“TD recognizes the vital role entrepreneurs play in our society,” said Shane Kennedy, District Vice President, TD Canada Trust. “Their success is key to our ability to succeed here in Newfoundland and Labrador, across the country and in our globally competitive economy. We are pleased to support Futurpreneur Canada to help bolster their chances of success and increase entrepreneurial capacity in the region.”
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of innovators and self-starters, and Futurpreneur Canada is the proud Canadian host for the sixth consecutive year. From November 17 to 23, 2014, the week aims to inspire people around the world through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential. Each year, around 7.5 million people in 150 countries will take part.
“Entrepreneurs drive Canadian prosperity. They run 98 per cent of our businesses and create half of all net new jobs,” said Nicole Osmond, Atlantic Canada Regional Director, Futurpreneur Canada. “These figures alone make the case for investing in future entrepreneurs, and we commend the longstanding commitment from TD to fostering the next generation of business leaders. We’re so pleased to continue working together to help more young people achieve their entrepreneurial dreams, while helping to create jobs and strengthen our economy.”
“The support that I received from Futurpreneur Canada has been invaluable in the success of FiberLilly. With access to start-up funding and an experienced mentor, I was able to open my business with a greater sense of confidence and knowledge that I had support behind me,” said Erin Kirby, Owner/Operator, FiberLilly, a St. John’s based small business. “This partnership will ensure that other young entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador will be able to start new businesses and gain access to the great resources that are available.”
For more information about Global Entrepreneurship Week and to get involved, visit www.futurpreneur.ca/GEW.
About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada has been fuelling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for nearly two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,800 volunteer mentors. Futurpreneur Canada is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of The Prince’s Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week. www.futurpreneur.ca. Facebook: Futurpreneur . Twitter: @Futurpreneur.
About TD Community Giving
TD Bank Group invests in communities in order to effect positive change in the places where it operates and where its clients and employees live and work. In 2013, TD donated more than $74.7 million to community organizations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. In Canada, TD focuses on education and financial literacy, creating opportunities for young people and the environment. For further information, please visit www.td.com/corporate-responsibility.
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For more information, please contact:
Lesley Wilmot
Futurpreneur Canada
P: 416-408-2923 s 2203
lwilmot@futurpreneur.ca
Alison Steeves
TD Bank Group
P: 416-307-6253
Alison.steeves@td.com