A prize of $10,000 will be granted to the aspiring Indigenous entrepreneur that wins the 2018 Aboriginal Youth Idea Challenge.
The challenge is run by Enactus at the University of Saskatchewan and is open to Aboriginal youth in the province between the ages of 16 and 35.
Participants in the challenge will take part in a series of workshops designed to develop their proposals.
The cash prize will serve as startup money to help fund a business that is chosen as the winner by a panel of judges.
Five participants in the workshop will be chosen to present to the panel at a gala in February.
The AYIC is in its 12th year and has seen a steady increase in participation with each challenge.
“We’ve found that now there is really more relationships being built when participants meet each other and are able to network and engage with each other,” says U of S Enactus President Dani Nichols. “I definitely think that the numbers are going to continue to increase and each year we look at how we can increase the value to the participants.”
Following presentations, the panel will decide on the winner of the challenge and the recipient of the prize.
Businesses including, Neechie Gear and Bannock Express, have ties to previous years of the AYIC.
“Whether you’re just beginning with your idea or you’re really ready to solidify your business, I really recommend that you come out the challenge,” says Nichols.
The workshops will take place each Saturday in January. One is scheduled for each morning and another for each afternoon.
Applications for the event must be submitted by January 5.
(PHOTO: courtesy Enactus University of Saskatchewan Facebook page.)