February 20, 2008 - 2:01am
Student visionaries and researchers across Vancouver Island are invited to dream up some “bold ideas” for an exciting new entrepreneurial competition.
The Innovation and Development Corporation (IDC) Ideas Competition is open to students, staff and faculty at Malaspina University-College and other post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island.
A special networking event to launch the contest takes place at Malaspina’s Nanaimo campus March 6. Final submissions are due March 31 , and awards – including over $18,000 in cash prizes – will be handed out at a reception in Victoria April 29.
The contest will appeal to student, staff or faculty inventors and entrepreneurs, said Jennifer Rog, Manager, Innovation Centre for Students for the IDC.
“IDC in the past ran two very successful competitions – the IDC Challenge: Vancouver Island Student Business Plan Competition which focused on the development of a business plan, and the IDC Invention Competition which focused on physical inventions,” she explained. “The new contest replaces those, and creates a new competition that rewards all types of entrepreneurial activities whether they are businesses, inventions or ideas. Our goal is to promote entrepreneurship in any shape or form, and prizes will be awarded in various categories.”
Rog said the IDC Ideas Competition is an educational exercise outside of the classroom. Winning aside, all participants will benefit from the experience of formulating ideas into something concrete and attending networking events where students, staff and faculty entrepreneurs will receive the support they need to succeed.
At the March 6 networking event planned for Nanaimo (Royal Arbutus Room, 1 - 2:30 pm), participants will receive information and advice from entrepreneurs and industry representatives in the community about start-up funding and other business matters. "We'll be serving refreshments and offering great door prizes, and encourage all students, staff and faculty to come out," said Rog.
“Throughout the competition, students in particular will gain confidence in their ideas as they learn to identify opportunities, assess market potential and develop a plan of action,” she added.
Awards for the contest include one long standing student Impact Award to reward an idea that seeks to change or improve environmental or social problems. There will also be a Best Overall Idea award that allows faculty, staff and students to compete on the same level.
The Ideas Competition challenges faculty, staff and students at Malaspina University-College, the University of Victoria, Camosun College, North Island College, Royal Roads University and the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health to formulate their ideas, engage with other entrepreneurs on Vancouver Island, and compete for prizes while having fun, added Rog.
Rog said the competition strives to spur entrepreneurship and further promote economic development across Vancouver Island. "The competition aims to bridge the gap between ideas from talented entrepreneurs and results, the Vancouver Island business community, technology sector and academic institutions," she said.
“Entrepreneurs – including faculty, staff and students – have no shortage of good ideas. The competition provides the necessary catalyst to encourage entrepreneurs to act on their ideas, increasing the number of local companies across Vancouver Island. Participants learn about the entrepreneurial process, moving ideas into action, and converting concepts into reality.”
To find out more about the IDC Ideas competition visit www.idcideas.ca
Tags: In the Community
