smOffice 2016: NATIONAL STARTUP CONTEST CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS
Three Winners will Receive Six Months of Intense Business Acceleration
Barrie (February 10, 2016) Dubbed as Canada’s most innovative incubation program, the 2016 smOffice contest is now accepting applications until May 2nd from across Canada – this time, providing not one, but three budding entrepreneurs with the chance to receive over $80,000 in prizes, professional advice, office space and seed funding to fuel their startup or small business dream.
“We’re looking for creative entrepreneurs who want to launch their great idea within a collaborative startup community. We can accelerate their business in ways they could never do on their own,” said Chad Ballantyne, owner of The Creative Space, who is hosting the contest.
Last year’s contest saw entrepreneur, Shelby Taylor of Stayner, Ontario take her organic line of pasta, Chickapea Pasta, from concept through to manufacturing. “We have been moving along like crazy, we’ve gone from an idea to production in just six months,” said Taylor.
During her incubation with smOffice, housed in Barrie’s downtown entrepreneur hub The Creative Space, Shelby was able to take advantage of grant money, focus groups, product refinement, video services, branding and package design, PR and Social Media marketing, legal and accounting advice, all from companies in the Barrie area, including a local manufacturer.
Today she is hiring staff and working to fulfill orders for a growing base of new customers including eight local retailers who pre-ordered the product. “The smOffice contest was instrumental in connecting me with mentors, sponsors and just giving me the confidence to go forward and connect with the people I needed to make this happen,” she said.
2016 contest winners will be set up in Canada’s smallest office, steps from the Barrie waterfront, full entrepreneur centre, $1000 in seed funds, mentorship from Profit Top 50 companies, access to a Sonders e-bike for transportation, and deliveries of Topper’s Pizza to fuel the creative process. In addition, the out-of-town winner will be set up with six months of free accommodations.
This year boasts 26 smOffice Sponsors including The Faris Team, Baldwin Planning, Busch Systems, Rhubarb Media, Catalyst Communications Choreography and Tyger Shark all getting behind the concept of a national entrepreneur contest. Winners move into their new smOffice May 16, 2016.
How To Apply: smOffice application
For more information: www.smoffice.ca or follow @smoffice_barrie
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Media info: Amanda Sutton 705.791.7209 or amanda@catalystcc.ca
smOffice Contest info: Chad Ballantyne 705.812.0689 chad@thecreativespace.ca
