The School of Business and the Business Innovation Centre (BIC) at Algonquin College are working together with the new Exploriem.org Enterprise Centre at Lincoln Fields Shopping Centre in order to assist students and alumni to get started on a new enterprise or help grow an existing business.
Exploriem.org is a registered Canadian Not-For-Profit Organization. The Organization appeals not only to entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs but also intrapreneurs and high achievers interested in helping to shape the technological, economic and sociological future. Exploriem.org's goal is to mentor, teach and do research to assist in the furtherance of entrepreneurship around the globe.
The Executive Director of Exploriem.org is Professor Bruce M.Firestone, perhaps best known as the Founder of the Ottawa Senators. You can learn more about Professor Firestone by following him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ProfBruce or by reading his blog at: http://www.eqjournalblog.com/.
The new Centre is a place for student entrepreneurs to get some early-stage funding and, even more importantly,some unconventional mentoring. We know that mentoring can make the difference between success and failure and we want to give our students the chance to mix with other students and entrepreneurs from across the city.
Students and alumni, both individually or in groups, are invited to submit a proposal for up to $1,500 of early stage funding. Also, for accepted candidates, access to the Incubator's facility is free 12 months.
Successful candidates will receive:
- Complimentary access to the Exploriem.org Enterprise Centre for one year;
- Complimentary mentoring for one year;
- Up to $1,500 early stage funding grant;
Complimentary access to workstations, meeting rooms, address and mail handling, Internet (landline and wireless), telephone (long distance charges apply), fax, photocopier (free B+W up to 200 pages per month), locker, reception services, furniture, operating costs, realty taxes, utilities and cleaning. This location also includes free parking, a transitway station and access to the food court and other services.
All proposals that meet the selection criteria are welcomed. It is our hope that inspired entrepreneurs will take advantage of this opportunity!
Application Process
- You must be recommended by a Professor or a former Professor or a c-level executive from a supplier, potential supplier, client/customer or potential client/customer. (1-page recommendation letter.)
- You must do the ECQ Test and report your score: http://dramatispersonae.org/ECQTest/ECQ(ns)TestAuto.htm
- You must submit a Business Model and Business Plan.
- You must to provide a copy of your CV and the URL of your blog and your Twitter Home Page.
- A one page (maximum) description of why you want to become involved in the program.
Note: If you are part of a team, please submit individual ECQ Test scores, CVs, URLs for blogs and Twitter Home Pages.
If accepted, you agree to set aside a 1% royalty on sales for ten years from acceptance as your contribution to help the next generation of entrepreneurs)
Proposal Deadline
Sunday, December 20th at midnight.
*There may be another opportunity to apply in late January 2010
Selection Process
Representatives from the School of Business, Business Innovation Centre and Exploriem.org will review the applications and identify eligible submissions.
All submitted information will be dealt in a confidential manner. Information will be distributed to three representatives participating in the selection process.
Spokesperson:
Tammy Thornton
(613)727-4723 ext. 5062
thorntt@algonquincollege.com
