VIU Business Plan Competition Finalists Compete in Dec. 4 'Pitchfest'

Six student and alumni finalists will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges on Friday, Dec. 4 as they vie for the top prize in the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Business Plan Competition.

The “Dragon’s Den-style Pitchfest’ will see finalists make presentations on business ideas that range from tech start-ups to online services to gardening and beauty products. The pitchfest, from 4 to 7:30 pm in Building 200, Room 203, is open to the public, and wraps up with a presentation to winners.

“Our finalists have been working very hard to hone their presentations, and have benefited from the support of volunteer mentors from the business community,” said John Predyk, professor in VIU’s Faculty of Management and chair of the 2015 competition. “Every participant in the competition benefited from the experience of putting together a business plan with the help of a mentor, and the finalists will get the added experience of ‘pitching’ their business concept to the panel of judges.”

Three alumni and three students were chosen as finalists, competing for a top prize in each category. A grand prize of $2,500 cash, with a package of donated business services valued at $7,000 will be awarded to the top business plan from both categories.

Predyk said he hopes to see people from the community in the audience when finalists go on stage to make their pitches.

“We have business professionals from the region who have volunteered their time to judge the competition,” he said. “We think the judges will be impressed with the calibre of the pitches, and the public will enjoy the chance to see up-and-coming entrepreneurs from a number of different academic programs at VIU present their ideas.”

VIU has partnered in the competition with lead sponsor the Pieter de Reuver Foundation, the Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation, Coastal Community Credit Union, MNP, Johnson Franklin Bishop, Young Professionals of Nanaimo, Gio Creative, StartUp Nanaimo and SquareOne, along with regional business partners contributing business services as part of the prize package. Winners in the competition will share $16,000 in cash prizes.

Full details on VIU Business Plan Competition can be found at www.viu.ca/bp

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Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.740.6443 C: 250.618.1535 E: Communications@viu.ca