(TORONTO) 18 May 2020 – Students of the University of Calgary worked on EMPOWER, a project aiming at enhancing immigrant women’s current skillset and educating them on the numerous steps required to start their own businesses.
Their efforts were recognized on May 15 through the 2020 Virtual Enactus Canada National Exposition Opening Ceremony, where they took home the award for BDC Project Accelerator Best Project for their initiative, EMPOWER.
In the short period of time they were allocated, 16 student mentors helped 18 women grew their network in the Calgary entrepreneurship eco-space. Some women partnered to work on a new business idea and one business was formed.
“The road to business ownership can be challenging for anyone, but women and new immigrants to Canada sometimes face unique difficulties,” says Laura Didyk, Vice President and National Lead Women Entrepreneurs at BDC. “At BDC, we help women and newcomer entrepreneurs take their business further not only by providing financing but also by offering them relevant advice and resources. Through their sessions covering the legal aspects of business ownership and some key business concepts, Enactus Calgary has done a tremendous job at empowering participants and opening great potential and opportunities.”
The BDC Project Accelerator, launched in 2011, is designed to empower Enactus teams with the skills and resources to make a meaningful difference in their communities through entrepreneurship.
The Enactus Canada National Exposition unites 1,500 delegates including the country’s brightest university and college students, academic professionals and top Canadian CEOs to enable progress by supporting entrepreneurial action through competition, recognition and education.
For competition updates, visit enactus.ca/virtual-national-exposition. All event results will also be published on enactus.ca/events/national-exposition.
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ABOUT ENACTUS CANADA: Enactus Canada, a national charity and the country’s largest post-secondary experiential learning platform, is shaping entrepreneurial leaders who are passionate about advancing the economic, social and environmental health of Canada. Guided by academic advisors and business experts, more than 3,400 post-secondary students led 267 community empowerment projects and business ventures last year in communities coast to coast, directly impacting over 50,000 lives.
As a global network of 37 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: BDC is the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs. It provides access to financing, as well as advisory services to help Canadian businesses grow and succeed. Its investment arm, BDC Capital, offers a wide range of risk capital solutions. For 75 years and counting, BDC’s purpose has been to support entrepreneurs in all industries and all stages of growth. For more information and to consult more than 1,000 free tools, articles and entrepreneurs’ stories, visit bdc.ca.
Media Inquiries:
Jennifer Falzon
Vice President, Programs & Marketing
Enactus Canada
jen@enactus.ca | 416.304.1566 x222 | 416.315.2099
BDC Media Relations
mediainfo@bdc.ca
1-844-625-8321