Dave Ockwell-Jenner and myself were very excited to attend the event at TELUS House when TELUS and The Globe & Mail announced the finalists in the fourth annual installment of "The Challenge" - the contest that helps Canadian Small Business owners overcome their greatest challenge with a $100,000 award from TELUS.
As you probably know by now the Small Business Community Network (SBCN) supports small businesses with their networking needs, and we were very happy to spread the word about this exciting challenge and to actually meet the four semi-finalists in person and listen to their pitches. These four semi-finalists, who were all very motivated and at the same time maybe a little nervous were selected from more than 1,000 entries that came in between March and May from small businesses in cities across the country. One semi-finalist is based in BC, two in Ontario, and one in Nova Scotia.
Suzanne Trusdale, vice-president of TELUS Small Business Solutions shares that "The Challenge is an opportunity for Canada's brightest entrepreneurs and executives to showcase their unique business ideas and share their biggest challenges. The four finalists exemplify the ways in which Canadian Business are innovating today. Whether it's by investing in technology, increasing their manufacturing capabilities, or driving demand through marketing, we can't wait to see how $100,000 will help the winner expand their organization to compete on a global scale".
Let me share the four semi-finalists information with you and you can make up your own mind about which business you think should win:
- 4Deep Inwater Imaging based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 4Deep produces a submersible holographic microscope that monitors water quality in real-time at virtually any depth. 4Deep’s disruptive technology has piqued the interest of world-renowned oceanographic research institutes in the United States, Australia and Japan, and current manufacturing operations can’t keep up with demand. The company would use the $100,000 award to ramp up its manufacturing capabilities and build demonstration units to showcase its technology globally.
- Imbibitive Technologies based in Welland, Ontario. Imbibitive Technologies produces Imbiber Beads, the only oil-sensitive super-absorbent polymer in the world. Imbiber Beads have the potential to revolutionize the way crude oil, diluted bitumen and hazardous chemical spills are dealt with worldwide and can improve the effectiveness of clean-up operations. The company would use the $100,000 award to build scientific support for its product and launch a comprehensive communications campaign.
- Stathletes based in St. Catharines, Ontario. Stathletes captures, analyzes and interprets data through its proprietary tracking software to help NHL teams drive peak performance and gain a competitive advantage. With a deep understanding of the metrics that drive winning in the game of hockey, Stathletes is looking to incorporate camera technology into its analytics and develop a market-leading solution for the NHL and professional hockey leagues around the world. The company would use the $100,000 award to hire technology experts to develop its own camera-based technology.
- Vancouver Island Salt Co. based in Cobble Hill, British Columbia. Vancouver Island Salt Co. is Canada’s leading producer of artisan sea salt. Recognized by chefs as one of the top artisan salt producers in the world, Vancouver Island Salt Co. uses recycled cooking oil to fuel its dehydration process, making it one of the globe’s greenest producers. The company would use the $100,000 award to expand its production capabilities and increase marketing to drive global demand for Canadian sea salt.
Dave and myself were very impressed with all the pitches and I know it is going to be difficult for the judges to chose a winner! The judges consisted of
- Chris Griffiths – director, Fine Tune Consulting, a boutique business consulting practice, and long-time entrepreneur
- Carolyn Lawrence – president and CEO, Women of Influence
- Suzanne Trusdale – vice-president, Small Business Solutions, TELUS
- Katherine Scarrow – editor, Report on Small Business, The Globe and Mail
- Steve Tustin – editor, Custom Content Group, The Globe and Mail
- Sean Stanleigh – product manager, Report on Small Business, The Globe and Mail
This is a wonderful opportunity for one of the semi-finalists, but I know that all of the small businesses who entered and the four semi-finalists are all going to carry on and build their successful businesses regardless, because it takes tenacity, determination and belief to be a small business owner today; but obviously the $100,000 will be an added bonus to the lucky winner!
I really believe in this quote shared by the Globe & Mail:
"Funding is crucial for growth, and growth is what every small business owner strives to achieve every day. I have no doubt the $100,000 prize our four finalists are vying to win will have a measurable impact" said Sean Stanleigh, product manager, Report on Small Business, The Globe and Mail. "The finalists have already cleared a huge hurdle in getting this far, and as judges, we will have a tough decision on our hands."
Each finalist receives three Samsung smartphones, access to a TELUS Learning Centre specialist who will show them how to use the devices to their full potential for both business and pleasure, a one-year subscription to The Globe and Mail and a mentoring session with one of the judges.
The winner will be announced on September 18th, 2014 and ten regional awards will be given out during Small Business Week in October.
For full details about The Challenge please visit Globeandmail.com/thechallenge.
Why not think about entering "The Challenge" next year, it is a wonderful opportunity.
- Log in to post comments