Steinbach Chamber to hold teen Dragon’s Den

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This article was published 12/02/2024 (450 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce is holding its own Dragon’s Den for teens in the Southeast who have the entrepreneurial spirit.

This is the first year of the Chamber Challenge and chamber executive director Tess Masi said the idea came about from the business development committee after the chamber partnered with schools to promote entrepreneurship.

“We think it’s a very interactive way for students to be able to participate in making a business pitch. It’s a model that a lot of people are familiar with so we don’t need to try and explain it a lot to students what the idea is. It’s also a great way for them to earn some prize money if they win,” she said.

First place pitch wins $1,000; second place $750; and third place $500.

Masi said the main goal is to increase awareness of the benefits of entrepreneurship with students in the area. She hopes students will consider opening their own business after graduating and that the chamber can act as a resource for those entrepreneurs.

“(The) chamber has a lot of resources and even some of the businesses that have noticed what we’re doing, some of them are actually partnering with us as well to provide some tools after the presentations, if some of the students are looking for that.”

What the judges will be looking for in a submission is a well thought out business plan.

“We want to see something that could be a viable business that there’s been a lot of thought put into (it). Where the students have considered many of the steps that entrepreneurs have to consider when starting something new,” said Masi.

In the application for the Chamber Challenge, some of the questions asked include how does your business/product make money? What are your sales so far? Why did you start your business? And what risks have you taken so far in your business?

The online applications are open to teens aged 15 to 18 who have an idea for a product or a service.

“We are really excited about this event,” said Masi. “The public can come and watch the presentations on April 30 at the SRSS theatre from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Anyone can come in and watch there is no charge to people coming in and being in the audience.”

The deadline to apply for the challenge is March 15 with successful applicants being notified on March 25. Presentations made on April 30 must be five minutes in length. To apply for the Chamber Challenge visit steinbachchamber.com/chamber-blog/chamber-challenge/.