CALGARY, ALBERTA (March 3, 2014) – Two Enactus student teams, from Simon Fraser University and University of Saskatchewan, have been named 2014 TD Entrepreneurship Challenge Regional Champions by this country’s largest student leadership development organization, Enactus Canada, and proud program supporter, TD Bank Group.
The TD Entrepreneurship Challenge is a national competition empowering post-secondary students to develop and deliver projects that teach relevant entrepreneurship skills to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Started in 2007 in partnership with TD Bank Group, 6,079 students have positively impacted 39,005 aspiring entrepreneurs and 8,575 small businesses.
“Through the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge, we’re delighted to see the entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration thriving in post-secondary students across Canada,” says Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Group. “Providing opportunities for students to create and build a small business will benefit their future development as well as encourage the ongoing growth of successful Canadian entrepreneurs.”
Student teams from across Western Canada showcased their projects to panels of industry professionals on February 28 in Calgary. The champion Enactus student teams stood out to judges because they provided aspiring and existing entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge and community connections to realize their passion.
The following are the winning projects that are using entrepreneurial action to transform lives:
The Enactus team at Simon Fraser University collaborated with 38 local entrepreneurs and industry professionals to provide an accessible accelerator program for students entrepreneurs, which increased the client base of six businesses by 500 customers, launched two online enterprises, helped one entrepreneur gain 200 users for their product and secured another entrepreneur $30,000 in inventory.
The Enactus team at the University of Saskatchewan is engaging their province’s Aboriginal community as major economic players through a business plan competition that teaches its participants basic financial education, marketing, communications and how to pitch their businesses. This year, 10 people participated with the top two finalists receiving $10,000.
“These teams are making a real difference in the lives of people in need through their entrepreneurship education projects”, says Nicole Almond, president of Enactus Canada “They are a perfect example of how our student leaders are transforming lives through entrepreneurial action.”
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place April 28-30 at the 2014 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Calgary, Alberta.
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Media Inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Director of Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
P:416.304.1566 ext.222
M: 416.346.0131