Student team earns 2015 national recognition for changing individual lives through entrepreneurship
TORONTO, ONTARIO (May 11, 2015): The Enactus team at Saint Mary’s University has received the national title, BDC Entrepreneurs First Project Partnership Best Project, for their community development project, The Startup 100.
The Startup 100 provided youth with the opportunity to design, plan and implement business ideas to reenergize their local economies. Through 100 days of modules on ideation and business startup, Enactus Saint Mary’s University helped 127 students from 50 communities.
These outcomes were rewarded on Monday, May 11 at the 2015 Enactus Canada National Exposition by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada and project partner, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
“BDC is proud to have supported Enactus Saint Mary’s University through this project partnership,” says Jennifer Fraser, senior account manager at BDC and the team’s advisor. “These students are among Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders and we are very impressed to see them ready to deliver services that energize their local community.”
The BDC Entrepreneurs First Project Partnership, launched in 2011, is designed to empower Enactus teams with the skills and resources to make a meaningful difference in their communities through entrepreneurship.
“Enactus students are transforming lives and shaping a better world. These opportunities wouldn’t exist without the support of corporate partners like BDC,” said Nicole Almond, president of Enactus Canada. “Saint Mary’s University has much to be proud of today and we are pleased to share with Canada the fabulous work they are doing in their local community.”
Enactus Saint Mary’s University is a group of dedicated, hard-working students, working together towards one goal, to make Halifax a better place through entrepreneurship.
The BDC Entrepreneurs First Project Partnership Best Project was awarded at the 2015 Enactus Canada National Exposition, where more than 1,200 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs came together to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.
For news throughout the year and competition results during the event, please visit @Enactus_Canada on Twitter.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, this country’s largest student leadership development organization, is shaping generations of entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,400 entrepreneurial postsecondary students led 250 community empowerment projects and business ventures this past year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 36 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
ABOUT BDC: Canada’s business development bank, BDC, puts entrepreneurs first. With almost 2,000 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers loans, consulting services, growth and business transition capital, securitization, as well as venture capital to more than 30,000 small and medium-sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada’s economic prosperity. www.bdc.ca
Media inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Director, Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
M: 416.346.0131
Maria Constantinescu
Senior Advisor, Public Relations
Business Development Bank of Canada
E: maria.constantinescu@bdc.ca
P: 514.496.7146