Ramp Up Weekend seeks entrepreneurs

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This article was published 09/02/2018 (2267 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An event coming to Steinbach will be a chance for entrepreneurs to find out if they have what it takes to move a business idea from concept to reality in just 42 hours.

The Steinbach Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with North Forge to host the 2018 Ramp Up Weekend at Eastman Education Centre in Steinbach, Feb. 23-25.

Ramp Up Weekend invites local entrepreneurs or those with entrepreneurial or business ideas to spend the weekend with like-minded individuals pitching ideas, working with others to refine those ideas, and then ultimately pitching those ideas to a group of judges who will decide which group has the best idea for a startup business or idea that could get off the ground.

“We want to give entrepreneurs an opportunity to get their ideas out and hopefully this can be the start to something,” Steinbach Chamber of Commerce executive director Ben Dueck said.

“A lot of entrepreneurs are skilled at coming up with ideas, but often don’t know how to take the next step. With this event just being there will be a chance to hear mentors giving advice on how to take that next step.”

According to Dueck the event will begin on Friday, Feb. 23 at 6:30 p.m. when participants will pitch ideas, decide on what the best ideas are, and then build teams to create a business concept and a pitch for a panel of judges.

On Saturday teams will spend the day working on their business, working with business mentors, and also working on tasks like creating logos, websites, products and promotional strategies.

The event will culminate on Sunday with a pitch competition that will see teams pitch their ideas to judges, then take part in a question and answer session with those judges.

The business concept chosen by the judges to be the strongest will win a prize package worth about $3,000. There will be second and third prizes awarded as well.

Dueck said he believes any entrepreneur with an idea or concept should attend Ramp Up Weekend, simply for what they can get out of the event.

“This is a real opportunity to spend time and network with business experts and see if their idea could take the next step,” Dueck said.

Organizers are still looking for more participants, as well as one more judge. Anyone interested in signing up for the event can do so by visiting steinbachchamber.com.