Nottawsaga Futures Youth Business Plan Competition

The Nottawasaga Futures Annual Youth Business Plan competition is open to all youth (ages 15 -29)  who reside in the municipalities of South Simcoe (Adjala-Tosorontio, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Essa, Innisfil and New Tecumseth).  The competition culminates in a “Pitch Event” where the top five submissions present their business plan to a panel of judges comprised of community business leaders.  The event is well attended and offers an opportunity for local budding entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas to their community. The winner of the event will receive a cash prize of $1000 and 1 year of Business Mentorship through the Nottawasaga Futures Business Resource Centre.  

The winner is announced at the Annual South Simcoe Business Awards, once again providing an opportunity to showcase young local talent in the community.

The Youth Business Plan Competition was developed to support youth entrepreneurship in our region.  The competition challenges students to develop a business idea, undertake research to determine the feasibility of their idea and to write a business plan demonstrating how they intend to put their idea into action.  The ultimate goal is to encourage youth to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option.

Key Dates:

January 3, 2023:   Competition opens

March 31, 2023:    Submission deadline to Nottawasaga Futures (martin@nottawasaga.com)

April 20, 2023:      Pitch Night 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Gibson Cultural Centre, Alliston, ON

May 25, 2023:       South Simcoe Business Excellence Awards.  Gibson Cultural Centre, Alliston ON

 

Judging Panel:

The judging panel will be made up of community leaders from the five municipalities that make up South Simcoe. The panel will choose one business idea to receive the Junior Entrepreneurship Award.

Eligibility:

The Competition is open to all youth living in South Simcoe. Applicants can work alone or in teams of up to four (4) people. Applicants will identify their own business ideas and write a business plan documenting what they would do to put their ideas in motion. Once completed, applicants will submit their business plan electronically to martin@nottawasaga.com at Nottawasaga Futures.

Awards Ceremony:

The winner of the Business Plan Competition will be announced at the South Simcoe Business Excellence Awards. They will be presented with a prestigious award that recognizes their potential as a future entrepreneur as well as a $1000 contribution toward the success of their business.

 For more information, contact Martin Kuzma, Nottawasaga Futures Email: martin@nottawasaga.com / Tel: 1-800-509-7554