HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA (March 10, 2014) – Two Enactus student teams from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Saint Mary’s University 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 Atlantic Canada showcased their projects to panels of industry professionals on March 7 in Halifax. The champion Enactus student teams stood out to judges because they provided individuals with the skills, knowledge and community connections to realize their potential.
The following are the winning projects that are using entrepreneurial action to transform lives:
The Enactus team at Memorial University created a rehabilitation sewing program for Haitians with physical disabilities called Project Stitch, which employed 11 sewers, generated $4,856 in revenue and allowed project participants to earn wages five times the average daily income in Haiti.
The Enactus team at the Saint Mary’s University is helping employ people with disabilities in Halifax and make their workplaces more accessible. This year, they partnered with the Government of Nova Scotia to secure job placements, run a social awareness campaign and retrofit businesses. Since starting the project in January 2014, 24 job placements have been obtained with a goal of procuring 42 job opportunities by April.
“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.
-30-
Media Inquiries:
Jody Lundrigan
Director of Communications
Enactus Canada
E: jody@enactus.ca
P:416.304.1566 ext.222
M: 416.346.0131