HALIFAX (March 4, 2013) – Two student teams from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Saint Mary’s University have been named 2013 TD Entrepreneurship Challenge Regional Champions by national charitable 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. Through this Challenge, 5,037 students have positively impacted 33,346 aspiring entrepreneurs and 7,686 small businesses.
“We are delighted to foster an entrepreneurial spirit in our post-secondary students through the TD Entrepreneurship Challenge,” says Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair, TD Bank Group. “Providing these students with comprehensive training and diverse challenges helps lay the ground work for their future success. All Canadians will benefit from their passion and drive to create and build new businesses.”
Student teams from across Atlantic Canada showcased their projects to panels of industry professionals on March 1st in Halifax. 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:
Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Passport to Success project works with immigrants that face difficulty finding meaningful employment after moving to Canada. Through the 16 week program of entrepreneurial sessions, mentorship and access to business professionals, immigrants gain the knowledge and confidence to start and sustain their own business, and contribute to the Canadian economy.
Saint Mary’s University’s OPtions: Overcoming Poverty project focuses on helping at risk youth to improve their lives. Over the course of five months, a group of 10 youth learn how to create and run a small business from the ground up and are paired with mentors for enhanced learning and support. The program not only teaches youth how to run a business but also empowers them with essential skills that they will carry throughout their lives.
“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 Enactus teams are enabling progress through entrepreneurial action.”
These teams will now move on to the national level of competition taking place May 6-8th at the 2013 Enactus Canada National Exposition in Toronto, Ontario.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada is a community of student, academic and business leaders enabling progress through entrepreneurial action. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 2,300 student leaders create and implement over 350 community empowerment projects and business ventures every year in communities coast to coast. As a global network of 39 countries, Enactus uses the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world. For more information, visit enactus.ca.
Media Inquiries: Jody Lundrigan Director of Communications Enactus Canada E: jody@enactus.ca P: 416.304.1566 x 222 M: 416.346.0131