Own it. Win it.
Bring your idea to life, gain incredible exposure and vie for prizes that will give your business an incredible leg up.
Enterprize Challenge 2026 is currently underway!
Interested in attending the Finale Event on May 7th? Tickets for the 2026 Enterprize Challenge Finale Event are available here.
Enterprize Challenge:
Do you have a bold idea or new business waiting to take flight? The Enterprize Challenge is your launchpad!
Designed for emerging entrepreneurs and new ventures in the North Okanagan, this program combines hands-on workshops, expert mentorship, and invaluable community support to help you sharpen your business plan and perfect your pitch.
Throughout the challenge, you’ll develop real business skills, build confidence, and connect with seasoned mentors, all culminating in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch event where you could walk away with start-up capital, invaluable prizes, and a spotlight on your venture.
Don’t miss your chance to level up your idea, gain momentum, and become the next business everyone knows and loves.
You could be a fit if:
You have a brilliant new business idea, but haven’t launched yet and are wanting a structured path to turn your concept into a solid business plan, complete with guidance and resources.
Or you started your business in 2025 and are looking for expert help to refine your strategy and scale up your business to the next level of success.
Enterprize Challenge is your chance to learn from some of the best as you polish your business plan, hone your pitch, and prepare for an exciting launch.
*Registration for the 2026 Enterprize Challenge is now closed.*
What About Judging?
Members of the North Okanagan business community will judge your pitch. They alone decide the winners of the Enterprize Challenge. Judges base their criteria on several categories that are key for business owners to grasp. Judging criteria will be released to participants at the beginning of the challenge.
Stay organized and up-to-date with the Community Futures North Okanagan Enterprize Challenge.
Registration opens – December 1, 2025
Registration deadline – January 31, 2026
*Workshop series will begin in February and are a mix of in person and virtual workshops. Virtual workshops will be recorded.
Introduction & Orientation Workshop – February 12, 2026 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Community Futures North Okanagan office)
Business Model Canvas Workshop – Thursday, February 19, 2026: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Community Futures North Okanagan office)
Business Values Workshop – Tuesday, February 24, 2026: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Virtual, via Zoom)
Financials Workshop – Thursday, February 26, 2026: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Community Futures North Okanagan office)
Marketing and Promotions Workshop – Tuesday, March 3, 2026: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Community Futures North Okanagan office)
Presentation Skills Workshop – Tuesday, March 10, 2026: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Community Futures North Okanagan office)
Open Session (Round Table) to ask questions and get support – Thursday, March 12, 2026: 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Virtual, via Zoom)
First Presentation – Tuesday April 14 & Wednesday, April 15, 2026 (Community Futures North Okanagan office)
Finalists Pitch, Awards & Challenger Showcase – May 7, 2026, Live from the Vernon & District Performing Arts Center.
First Place
Agile BK cash prize
Accelerate Okanagan membership
Castanet Media advertising credit
Community Futures North Okanagan – Business Exchange membership
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce membership
Nixon Wenger legal services credit
Pattison Media (Beach Radio) advertising credit
Wayside marketing credit
TMS marketing credit
Vernon Morning Star credit
Blue Whale Communications social media coaching program
Hi Pro Branded Solutions credit
Grow & Behold Digital consultation credit
Second Place
Accelerate Okanagan membership
Castanet Media advertising credit
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce membership
Nixon Wenger legal services credit
Pattison Media (Beach Radio) advertising credit
Wayside marketing credit
TMS marketing credit
Vernon Morning Star credit
Blue Whale Communications social media coaching program
Hi Pro Branded Solutions credit
Grow & Behold Digital consultation credit
Third Place
Accelerate Okanagan membership
Castanet Media advertising credit
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce membership
Nixon Wenger legal services credit
Pattison Media (Beach Radio) advertising credit
Wayside marketing credit
TMS marketing credit
Vernon Morning Star credit
Blue Whale Communications social media coaching program
Hi Pro Branded Solutions credit
Grow & Behold Digital consultation credit
People’s Choice
$1,500 advertising credit from Castanet Media
HUGE thank you to our incredibly generous community sponsors for donating the prizes for our winners!
First place — Dora Anderson, Ecotecture
Second Place — Kylee Howard, Vicky’s Play Place
Third Place — Shelley Lavigne, North Okanagan Consulting
People’s Choice —Kylee Howard, Vicky’s Play Place
First place — Jenna Smith, Sage Dental Hygiene
Second Place — Precious Gatpandan and RJ San Jose, Errands and Beyond
Third Place — Gaby Flores, Baking Time
People’s Choice — Jenna Smith, Sage Dental Hygiene
First place — Hannah & Pamela Janek, Fieldnotes Market
Second Place — Kristy McLennan, PV BLVD Coffee
Third Place — Lauren Vincent, Chef Lauren Vincent
People’s Choice — Kristy McLennan, PV BLVD Coffee
First place—Olive Butler, Conspiracy Cosmetics
Second place —Sean Ling-Allen, Centered Pilates
Third place—James Stuart, Uplift Aero Greens
People’s Choice – Leanna Maksymik, Waste Not Wool
First place—Amanda Homeniuk, Kaleco
Second place & People’s Choice —Tiffany & Olivier Asselin, OTA Gear Rental
Third place—Jessica Bosman & Bryn Davis, DOUBL
First place—Teresa Sanders, Fill
Second place—Kayley Letendre, Sugarbee’s Icecream Company
Third place—Marilyn Courtenay, The Boarding House Café
People’s Choice—Ashley & Michael Reina, Therabyte Inc.
First place—Julia Allen & Kate Johnson, Locality
Second place—Dan Proulx, Think Tank
Third place—Richard & Danielle Toperczer, Steakholder
First place—Martin Paris, Jolly Good Spudz
Second place—Juanita Miller, Juanita Miller Nutrition
Third place—Rebecca Hackman, Bites Creative
First place—Jaye Coward, Farmbound
Second place—Diane Kelm, Healing Arts Finder
Third place—Matt Parks, Parks Sustainable Design Build
First place—Bernie & Maylene Ramis, Rollin’ Spring Rolls
Registration for the 2026 Enterprize Challenge is now closed.
Are You the Next Enterprize Challenge Winner?
Whether you have an idea or a small business that started in 2025, you could be eligible to participate in this year’s Enterprize Challenge. You may be an Enterprize challenger if you:
*Proof of business registration is required for those already open
Eligibility and Rules
You must be kind, courteous, and operate in the North Okanagan. No one presenting insulting or illegal content will be allowed to participate.
Multi-level marketing businesses, franchises, non-profits, and prescribed or controlled businesses cannot compete.
Pre-Screening
We may not be able to let everyone participate. If we have too many applicants, we will pre-screen everyone based on the information provided on the registration form. Make sure you:
I started my business BEFORE 2025, can I participate?
No, the program is focused on two streams:
If your business was started before 2025, then you are not eligible to participate in the Enterprize Challenge for that business.
Do I have to live in the North Okanagan to register and participate?
No, you do not need to live in the North Okanagan, but your business must operate or be operating in the North Okanagan (Vernon, Lumby, Armstrong, Enderby, etc.) to participate in the program.
Can I compete with more than one business idea?
If you have an idea for more than one product or service, you can compete with more than one business idea. You will have to submit more than one registration and make multiple pitches. We require one pitch per business idea.
Who is my mentor?
Your mentor will be a member of the business community. Some currently operate businesses while others work with businesses in a support capacity. We will assign these mentors during the program.
How do I register?
Registration for the 2026 Enterprize Challenge is now closed.
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.
