DRAGONS’ DEN IS BACK FOR SEASON FOUR! Auditions heat up in Nelson on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 Got a hot business concept that can turn the economy around? DRAGONS’ DEN wants to hear from you!
The DRAGONS’ DEN production team will be in Nelson looking for the next big thing for Season Four of the hit series returning this fall on CBC Television. The show gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of wealthy Canadian moguls who are entrepreneurs themselves. The prize is real cash and real investment – from the Dragons' own pockets! Open auditions are taking place on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 from 12 NOON – 6 PM at the Nelson Municipal Library’s downstairs meeting room, Victoria Street entrance. If you convince us that your concept is ready for the limelight, you could qualify to be on DRAGONS’ DEN. No experience is necessary. For this round, be prepared to make a pitch in five minutes or less. We will consider any idea — from eco-friendly inventions to futuristic vehicles to unique underwear – as long as it can make money!
Please apply online and bring your completed application form to the auditions. Find details at cbc.ca/dragonsden. To check out some successful Dragons’ Den products, visit shopdragonsden.com.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister Diane Ablonczy held a roundtable with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF). During the meeting, CYBF young entrepreneurs, mentors and senior officers from across the country discussed the significant impact young entrepreneurs have on Canada’s economic stabilization, growth and global competitiveness. The group explored how to capitalize on the innovation and energy resident within Canada’s youth by building and supporting an enhanced entrepreneurial culture going forward.
In a press conference, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s Economic Action Plan which included a $10 million grant to CYBF. In 2009 this investment will enable the national charity to help more than 500 aspiring young entrepreneurs start new businesses and contribute quickly to Canada’s economic recovery. In total, by 2010, more than 900 entrepreneurs will start a business as a result of the government’s funding.
These 900 new businesses will create an estimated 5,000 new jobs, $135 million in sales revenue, $32 million in tax revenue, and enable more than 900 volunteer business mentors to share 46,000 hours of knowledge with young entrepreneurs. This puts CYBF is on a growth trajectory to support the launch of two new entrepreneurial businesses per day by 2012.
There has never been a more important time to invest in young entrepreneurs. Research shows that: 20,000 young people annually have an unrealized business idea; 70% of small business owners plan to retire within 5-10 years; and, unemployment is on the rise. Visit http://www.cybf.ca/ for more information.
Two grade 11 students from Kelowna recently went to Taiwan to participate in the International Science Fair. They competed against entries from about 17 countries and won FIRST PRIZE in the Earth Science Category. Their project studied the effects of orbital forcing on Earth's climate by analyzing its astrophyscial cycles. Visit www.orbitalforcing.com to see more.
Meeting Description: If you are looking for a way to lower travel costs and
reach a broad online audience, come listen to experienced webinar professionals
discuss their hard-earned lessons on the dos and don'ts of producing webinars
for nonprofits and libraries. Learn how you can utilize online conferencing tools
to deliver training, conduct outreach, raise awareness, host a conference or
build community with only a phone or VOIP headset, computer, and an internet
connection. Kami Griffiths will interview Emily Inlow-Hood, formerly ofWebJunction, and Shawn Cardinal,
ofReadyTalk, to discuss:
· best production practices for delivering webinars
·other organizations who have used webinars to develop awareness and
build online community
·and how to inspire participant interaction and engagement before,
during, and after the webinar
Today is a great day to expand your Canadian business to the USA. Or, to start importing quality goods from Asia or Europe into the USA.
Why? 1. Each $100 USD sale you make this week will provide over $125 in Canadian dollars (see www.xe.com). 2. Credit card and other interest rates are low to encourage consumers and businesses to buy. 3. Over 92 percent of American workers are at work today, working hard to earn money that could be spent to purchase your product or service. 4. Corporate travel and entertainment have been curtailed. That, coupled with the economic slowdown, means American managers and purchasing agents are more available than ever to receive your sales call or proposal. 5. Your competitors are sitting on the fence, waiting for someone to lead the way (and get to the buyer first). 6. The US government is "stimulating" everything is sight (see www.summitinsight.com). 7. Asian and European manufacturers have sharpened their pencils. Good deals on product and freight are available. 8. Americans are very resilient. When the "rebound" starts, it will happen very quickly. 9. Experienced trade commissioners in more than 15 US cities are waiting for your call or e-mail (see www.canadainternational.gc.ca/seattle). 10. Gas is cheap. So, why are you wasting your valuable marketing time reading this e-mail?
Sincerely, Jim Pettinger
Reminder: Our next "Doing Business in the USA" seminar will be held on May 7 in Surrey, BC. See www.UCanTrade.com for details.
International Market Access, Inc. 1465 Slater Rd, PO Box 5007 Ferndale, WA 98248-5007 E-mail: TradeTips@UCanTrade.com Tel: 360-380-6900, Fax: 360-380-1161 Website: www.UCanTrade.com
Instructor: Richard Kadulski, Architect Date: Tuesday - Wednesday, March 24 – 25, 2009 Time: 8.30 am – 4.30 pm Location: Training Room-Kimberley Fire Hall, 340 Spokane Street, Kimberley BC Cost: $499.00 (including GST) Contact: Andy Christie, Building Inspector achristie@city.kimberley.bc.ca 250.427.9655 Build Green promotes construction of buildings that are healthier for the occupants and healthier for the environment. Sustainable or “green” buildings practices can reduce the tremendous impact that a building has on both people and nature.
Sustainable building practices go beyond energy and water conservation, resource efficient building materials and superior indoor environmental quality. Some of the key benefits are:
• Lower electric and water utility costs • Environmentally effective use of building materials • Enhanced health and productivity • Long-term economic returns • Reduced environmental impact
A Built Green home certification offers participating builders an excellent way to distinguish themselves in the marketplace. Market research shows that consumers take environmental concerns and long-term energy costs into consideration when making purchasing decisions. Builders can demonstrate their environmental leadership by participating in Built Green.
The program concentrates on four separate and distinct target areas:
• Energy efficiency • Indoor air quality • Resource use (including waste management) • Overall environmental impact
This course is compulsory to become a certified Built Green BC Builder, R-2000 Builder and forms part of the course requirements for the Certified Residential Builder program. Open-book exam. Students must achieve at least 80% to pass this course.
Are you aware of a new idea or technology that you would like to commercialize in the agriculture, food and bioproducts sectors of BC? Or perhaps you know of someone who has a new idea with the potential to be commercialized? The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) can assist in helping you drive this opportunity to commercial success.
The Commercialization of Agricultural Technology (CAT) Competition provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas in the agriculture, food and bioproducts sectors. Ideas can be homegrown, from research or could have already been commercialized outside BC. BCIC, in collaboration with our partners, can help further evaluate your business opportunity by providing access to extensive research, information, and advisory resources. These resources include industry, academic and government contacts in BC and around the world. Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) A summary documenting the idea / innovation. Full application forms available for download at www.bcic.ca/industry/life-sciences/agri-food
Deadline: April 30, 2009 Stage 2: Announcement of voucher winners Up to $10,000 per voucher (25 available) Stage 3: Proof of Concept Up to $250,000* (1 available) Up to $150,000* (1 available) Up to $100,000* (2 available) Winners will be announced at the BCIC Innovation Summit – Fall 2009 *This amount is based on matching funds from the winner with a two year claiming period.
KAST can also help with developing and reviewing your submissions. Contact info@kast.com
October 1st & 2nd, 2009 Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Banff, Canada
Canada’s largest national technology venture forum. The Banff Venture Forum showcases emerging technology companies, provides insight into key industry issues & offers a premium networking opportunity with the who's who of the North American venture capital, private equity & tech entrepreneur community.
Banff Venture Forum 2009 is the premier company financing event in Canada. It will showcase early and growth stage companies in three streams: Information Technology, Energy Technology and Life Sciences Technology. Approximately 35 Canadian and U.S. companies will be presenting.
The Forum showcases the hottest hi-tech companies and provides a world class networking opportunity.
This BCIC initiative was announced last week at the Agrifood gala in Abbotsfrod.
KAST has very strong links with BCIC and would like to help any companies or individuals with ideas that could qualify under the CAT Competition. The Commercialization of Agriculture Technology Competition encourages entrepreneurial success in bringing relevant innovations to market.
Competition • CAT Competition Postcard • CAT Competition Guidelines: PDF | MSWord • CAT EOI Competition Application Form: MSWord Be a part of the CAT Competition! What? A three-stage commercialization competition for new innovations in the agriculture, food and bioproducts sectors. Why? This competition aims to: • Improve industry competitiveness • Strengthen environmental and economic sustainability of businesses as a whole • Accelerate commercialization of new technologies and innovations How? • Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) - Due April 30th, 2009 • Stage 2: Evaluation and Announcement of voucher winners - Due May 29th, 2009 Up to $10,000 (25 available) • Stage 3: Proof of Concept Awards announced at the Innovation Summit - Fall 2009 Up to $250,000* (1 available) Up to $150,000* (1 available) Up to $100,000* (2 available) *This amount is based on matching funds from the winner with a two year claiming period.
$1.4 Million Initiative for B.C.’s Agriculture, Food and Bioproducts Sectors
The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) has released a set of new programs under the BCIC Agriculture, Food and Bioproducts Innovation Fund committed to improving the competitiveness, sustainability, and technological advancement of the agriculture, food and bioproducts sectors in B.C., announced Agriculture and Lands Minister Ron Cantelon.
The announcement was made in conjunction with the 7th Annual AgriFood Industry Gala in Abbotsford, where over 450 members of B.C.’s food and wine industry gathered to recognize leadership in B.C.’s agriculture industry.
“In today’s challenging economic climate, it’s even more imperative to encourage dialogue and activity between research and industry,” said Small Business, Technology and Economic Development Minister Ida Chong. “The Council’s initiative encourages the transfer of knowledge between the two groups and turning commercial potential into a reality.”
In developing the fund, BCIC assembled an advisory group of representatives from industry, research and government to identify constraints and opportunities in B.C.’s agriculture, food and bioproducts sectors. After seven months of in-depth consultation, the result was relevant programs bridging gaps between B.C.’s research institutions and industry application.
“The agriculture industry is one of the most innovative and diverse of all B.C.'s industries,” said Cantelon. “These funds build on that success by establishing strong research and industry ties and exploring new technological opportunities for entrepreneurs in agriculture, food and bioproducts.”
About the BCIC Agriculture, Food and Bioproducts Innovation Fund
The initiative, provided through the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands as part of a $3.5 million fund, aims to increase the transfer of knowledge and commercialization of new science and technology-based innovations through the following initiatives:
• CAT Competition (Commercialization of Agriculture Technology Competition) encourages entrepreneurial success in bringing relevant innovations to market. • Commercialization roadmap tool guides decision-makers in taking their innovative ideas from concept evaluation to product or service launch. • Agri-Food Innovation Summit focuses on building business partnerships, knowledge transfer, and commercialization of new and innovative technology applications for B.C.’s agriculture, food and bioproducts sectors.
For more information contact: Stephanie Leung Communications Coordinator British Columbia Innovation Council 604.602.5249 | 1.800.665.7222 sleung@bcic.ca
About the BC Innovation Council
The BC Innovation Council (BCIC) is the lead organization charged with advancing innovation and commercialization in British Columbia. BCIC is focused on accelerating the growth of our science and technology communities and competitively positioning British Columbia in the global science and technology economy in order to provide significant employment opportunities and a high standard of living for British Columbians.
For more information about BCIC, visit www.bcic.ca.
Details on a new event from our friends at the Angel Forum…
A unique first-time workshop - March 9 - downtown Vancouver.
Companies need an exit strategy first, which in combination with
their capital requirements, drives their financing strategy. Ask
yourself:
1 What is my exit strategy and why do I need one before I look for investors?
2 What type of investor best matches my exit strategy and capital requirements?
3 What are the four major steps I should be doing now to plan for a successful exit?
4 What about the timeline, valuation and legal process? - case study: Parasun exit.
This all day March 9 workshop will be presented by Basil Peters,
Axel Christiansen, Thomas Hellman, Steven MacDonald, Steven Lukas, Bob
Chaworth-Musters and other experts to be announced. It will be a blend
of presentations and war stories with local experts, with lots of time
for Q&A and networking.
First 15 seats at $270 each = 30% off final fee. Bring a qualified
friend (approx. 10% lower). Questions to bob@ANGELforum.org. REGISTER NOW.
