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.

About How it Works Schedule and Prizes Past Winners Registration Opens in January

Enterprize Challenge

Will your pitch win?

If you’re an emerging entrepreneur or the owner of a new business, Enterprize Challenge is your chance to learn from some of the best as you hone your pitch, polish your business plan and prepare for an exciting launch.

What If You Could Take Your Business To The Next Level?

How We Help

During the Enterprize Challenge ‘business bootcamp,’ you’ll participate in weeks of workshops and one-to-one mentoring to help make your pitch stand out. The challenge culminates in a night of live pitches before volunteer judges in a Dragon’s Den-style competition. You could take home start-up capital plus thousands of dollars in prize packages—and gain valuable skills and insight into owning and operating a business everyone knows and loves.

Enterprize Challenge FAQ

I started my business BEFORE 2024 – can I participate?

No, the program is focused on new start-up businesses that have started in 2024 or will be starting in 2025.

Do I have to live in the North Okanagan?

No, 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.

How do I register?

Registration for 2025 Enterprize Challenge will open at 8am on Thursday, January 2nd.

Click here to register online

How the Enterprize Challenge Works

STEP 1: Register.
Whether you have an idea or a brick-and-mortar store, sign up your new North Okanagan business for a chance to participate in the Enterprize Challenge. Registration opens in January.
STEP 2: Orientation.
Registered businesses are invited to an orientation workshop in February. This recommended event prepares you for the Enterprize Challenge. Participate in this workshop to get started on the right foot.
STEP 3: Training.
Arm yourself with the tools you need to deliver your best pitch to our volunteer judges. This series of 2–3-hour evening workshops begins within the first few weeks of the Enterprize Challenge. This step includes the creation of a Business Model Canvas.
STEP 4: Mentoring.
You and your team are assigned a mentor to help prepare your presentation and coach you throughout the competition. Mentors are members of the North Okanagan business community who operate a business or support a business.

STEP 5: First business pitch.
Your first pitch happens behind closed doors. In this 15-minute presentation, you will provide judges a description of your business and an overview of your industry and competition. Once the judges have heard all presentations, seven entrepreneurs will be named Enterprize Challenge finalists.
STEP 6: Financial viability.
A financial mentor will aid you and your team during this step. In this stage of the challenge, finalists must provide judges with a Business Model Canvas and financial overview that communicates the details judges need to determine if your business idea could really make it.
STEP 7: Finale.
This is your time to shine. The Enterprize Challenge culminates in a final pitch to the judges before a live audience. Throughout the challenge, you will work with your mentor and coaches to polish your final presentation. Finalists have five minutes to convince the judges and the audience that they deserve to win. First, second, and third prizes, as well as the People’s Choice, will be awarded at the end of the event.

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:

Enterprize 2024 Schedule & Prizes

Stay organized and up-to-date with the Community Futures North Okanagan Enterprize Challenge.

Registration opens – January 2, 2025

Registration deadline – NOON on February 7, 2025

Introduction & Orientation Workshop – February 19, 2025 (Community Futures North Okanagan office)

Business Model Canvas Workshop – February 25, 2025 (Community Futures North Okanagan office)

Values Workshop – February 27, 2025 (virtual)

Marketing and Promotions Workshop – March 4, 2025 (Community Futures North Okanagan office)

Operations & Financials Workshop – March 6, 2025 (virtual)

Presentation Skills Workshop – March 11, 2025 (Community Futures North Okanagan office)

Open Session (Round Table) to ask questions and get support – March 20, 2025 (virtual)

First Presentation – April 8 & 9, 2025 (Community Futures North Okanagan Office)

Finalists Pitch, Awards & Challenger Showcase – May 8, 2025, Live from the Vernon & District Performing Arts Center

Enterprize 2024 Prize Packages

*information on 2025 Prize Packages coming soon!*

First Place
Beach Radio advertising credit
Castanet Media advertising credit
Nixon Wenger legal credit
Rhythm Productions video marketing credit
Accelerate Okanagan membership
Wayside marketing credit
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce membership
Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce membership
Sproing marketing credit
Agile BK bookkeeping credit
Okanagan College tuition credit
Village Green Mall leasing credit

Second Place
Beach Radio advertising credit
Castanet Media advertising credit
Nixon Wenger legal credit
Rhythm Productions video marketing credit
Accelerate Okanagan membership
Wayside marketing credit
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce membership
Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce membership
Agile BK bookkeeping credit
Village Green Mall leasing credit

Third Place
Beach Radio advertising credit
Castanet Media advertising credit
Nixon Wenger legal credit
Rhythm Productions video marketing credit
Accelerate Okanagan membership
Wayside marketing credit
Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce membership
Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce membership
Agile BK bookkeeping credit
Village Green Mall leasing 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!

Past Enterprize Winners

2024 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place — Jenna Smith, Sage Dental Hygiene (https://sagedentalhygiene.com/)

Second Place — Precious Gatpandan and RJ San Jose, Errands and Beyond (https://errandsandbeyond.ca/)

Third Place — Gaby Flores, Baking Time

People’s Choice — Jenna Smith, Sage Dental Hygiene

2023 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place — Hannah & Pamela Janek, Fieldnotes Market (https://www.fieldnotesmarket.ca/)

Second Place — Kristy McLennan, PV BLVD Coffee (https://www.pvblvdcoffee.com/)

Third Place — Lauren Vincent, Chef Lauren Vincent (https://www.cheflaurenvincent.com)

People’s Choice — Kristy McLennan, PV BLVD Coffee

2022 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place—Olive Butler, Conspiracy Cosmetics (https://conspiracycosmetics.ca/)

Second place —Sean Ling-Allen, Centered Pilates (https://www.centredpilatesstudio.com/)

Third place—James Stuart, Uplift Aero Greens (https://www.upliftaerogreens.ca/)

People’s Choice – Leanna Maksymik, Waste Not Wool

2021 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place—Amanda Homeniuk, Kaleco (https://www.kaleco.ca/)

Second place & People’s Choice —Tiffany & Olivier Asselin, OTA Gear Rental (https://otagearrental.ca/)

Third place—Jessica Bosman & Bryn Davis, DOUBL (https://doubl.ca/)

2019 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place—Teresa Sanders, Fill (https://fillvernon.ca/)

Second place—Kayley Letendre, Sugarbee’s Icecream Company (https://sugarbeesicecream.com/)

Third place—Marilyn Courtenay, The Boarding House Café (https://www.facebook.com/TheBoardingHouseCafe/)

People’s Choice—Ashley & Michael Reina, Therabyte Inc. (https://therabyte.app/)

2018 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place—Julia Allen & Kate Johnson, Locality (https://www.iamlocality.com/)

Second place—Dan Proulx, Think Tank

Third place—Richard & Danielle Toperczer, Steakholder

2017 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place—Martin Paris, Jolly Good Spudz

Second place—Juanita Miller, Juanita Miller Nutrition

Third place—Rebecca Hackman, Bites Creative

2016 Enterprize Challenge winners

First place—Jaye Coward, Farmbound (https://farmbound.ca/)

Second place—Diane Kelm, Healing Arts Finder

Third place—Matt Parks, Parks Sustainable Design Build (http://www.woodwaterdevelopments.com/)

2015 Enterprize Challenge winner

First place—Bernie & Maylene Ramis, Rollin’ Spring Rolls

Registration Now Open!

Are You the Next Enterprize Winner?

Whether you have an idea or a small business that started in the last year, you could be eligible to participate in this year’s Enterprize Challenge. You may be an Enterprize challenger if you:

Are or will operate their business in the North Okanagan
Can participate individually or in a team
Have a business idea that will launch this year or that began last year. Proof of business registration is required
Your project will be or is a qualified business or social enterprise
Are available to work with mentors from the community
Ready to complete the tasks to create two pitches

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:

Provide a clear description of your business
Clearly how your business will operate
Explain your customer and/or target market
Identify your competition

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.

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