• Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Careers
  • Who We Are
    • Our Board
    • Our Staff
    • Governance and Accountability
    • Annual Reports and Financial Statements
  • Who We Serve
  • News
  • Learning
Community Futures North Okanagan
  • Home
  • Business Services
    • Starting Your Business
      • Self Employment
      • Buying a Business
      • Business Coaching
      • Planning Tools
      • Business Loans
    • Growing Your Business
      • Employer Support
      • Business Coaching
      • Succession Planning
      • Supports, Funding, Grants
      • Momentum
      • Business Exchange
      • Export Navigator
      • Continuity Planning
      • Business Loans
    • Loans
      • Loans Application
      • Business Loans
      • Micro Loans
      • 4-H Loans
    • Workshops
      • Workshop Calendar
  • Programs
    • Self Employment
    • Employ for Youth
    • Momentum
    • Business Exchange
    • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
    • Export Navigator
    • Enterprize Challenge
    • Reach
    • SharED
    • WorkBC
    • Inclusive Hiring Hub
    • RNIP – Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
    • Newcomers Loan
  • Employment Services
    • WorkBC
    • Employ for Youth
  • Contact
  • Menu Menu

Enterprize Challenge 2018 Open for Entries

January 8, 2018/in News

Following the 2017 Enterprize Challenge, which brought forth a record 23 entrepreneurs—many with business ideas that harnessed the bounty and beauty of the Okanagan—judges can’t wait to see what contestants will pitch this year.

“Everyone was so impressed with the business ideas that were presented at Enterprize Challenge last year,” says Leigha Horsfield, General Manager, Community Futures North Okanagan, which hosts the fourth annual competition that spans eight weeks and sees 10 finalists compete for more than $35,000 in prizes. “We’re all looking forward to seeing how the 2018 contestants bring their unique spirit of entrepreneurship to the competition.”

The 2017 winner, Martin Paris, will open the doors to his restaurant, Jolly Good Spudz, Jan. 30. The downtown venue will see patrons choose from an array of healthy and delicious locally inspired toppings for their potatoes such as pulled pork. Paris says it feels surreal to have the vision for his restaurant coming to life nine months after winning Enterprize.

“This contest pushes you to take the first steps that you might otherwise only ever talk about. Winning gave me an incredible boost, and then the real work began,” says Paris, just putting the finishing touches on his restaurant’s British-themed décor. “I don’t think I would have done this without the Enterprize Challenge.”

In this Dragon’s Den-style competition, seven finalists will move forward from the second task. Registration is now open and closes at noon on Feb. 9. Horsfield encourages all to apply.

“This is really a one-of-a-kind opportunity for anyone who has a great business idea and could really bring it to life with the prize package and all the hands-on work along the way.”

Following orientation, eight weeks of business planning sessions and tasks, and working with a mentor, seven finalists are chosen and participate in a trade show as part of the awards ceremony. The first place prize package, worth more than $19,000, includes start-up capital, free business banking for a year, and a range of packages, including legal, accounting, marketing and web design, and graphics as well as a radio and print campaign.

The Enterprize Challenge tradeshow is an opportunity for participants to market their products just before the awards ceremony.

Last year’s second-place winner Juanita Miller is a nutritionist and health educator who focuses on helping women achieve their health and skin health goals through her practice at Mustard Seed Clinic as well as through online coaching and public speaking. She says participating in Enterprize gave her a wealth of resources and support.

“I was looking forward to networking and being in the tradeshow, but I received so much more. I’m very grateful for the mentorship. My mentor believed in me and encouraged me, and whether I won or not, she gave me permission to reach for my dreams.”

The Community Futures Enterprize Challenge is presented by VantageOne Credit Union, and another 12 organizations sponsor the event to make the challenge and its prizes possible. Participants can enter individually or as a team, and can register at http://www.futuresbc.com/business/starting-a-business/enterprize-challenge/.

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Screenshot-2018-01-08-10.23.07.png 396 914 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2018-01-08 10:24:432018-01-08 10:24:43Enterprize Challenge 2018 Open for Entries

Pages

  • Apply To This Year’s Enterprize Challenge
  • Business Loan Application
  • Directions Application
  • Enterprize Challenge 2022 Final Pitch and Awards Program
  • Event Submission
  • Home
  • Momentum Application
  • Privacy Policy
  • Reach Application
  • Self Employment Program Application
  • Thank your applying!
  • Volunteer Application
  • Our Staff
  • Bridges Application Form
  • Bridges Application
  • Our Board
  • Who We Serve
  • Our Mission
  • Governance and Accountability
  • Annual Reports and Financial Statements
  • News
  • Self Employment
  • Buying a New Business
  • Business Coaching
  • Planning Tools
  • Employer Support
  • Succession Planning
  • Supports, Funding, Grants
  • Business Loans
  • Micro Loans
  • Newcomers Loan
  • 4-H Loans
  • Small Business Week 2022
  • Workshop Calendar
  • Employ for Youth
  • Momentum
  • Business Exchange
  • Continuity Planning
  • Reach
  • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
  • Export Navigator
  • Enterprize Challenge
  • SharED
  • RNIP – Rural & Northern Immigration Pilot
  • Contact
  • Past Projects
  • Careers
  • Partners
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Categories

  • News
  • Success Story
  • Uncategorized

Archive

  • January 2023
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • April 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • July 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • August 2015
  • May 2015
  • December 2014

About Community Futures

From our office in downtown Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan offers employment, business and economic development services to help residents build their future and the community. We service Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Grindrod, Lavington, Lumby, Mara, Okanagan Indian Band,  Spallumcheen, Splatsin and Vernon.

Careers Volunteer Partners Privacy Policy Issue Resolution Services en Français
Government of BC logo
© Copyright - Community Futures North Okanagan | Developed by Tambellini Design Studios
  • Terms and Conditions
Scroll to top
Open toolbar Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Tools

  • Increase TextIncrease Text
  • Decrease TextDecrease Text
  • GrayscaleGrayscale
  • High ContrastHigh Contrast
  • Negative ContrastNegative Contrast
  • Light BackgroundLight Background
  • Links UnderlineLinks Underline
  • Reset Reset