Military participants from across Canada arrive at Memorial University for “Based in Business” entrepreneurial boot camp

July 23, 2012

First step of The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur: the Canadian Forces to small business transition program 

July 23, 2012 – St. John’s, NL – Today, 20 transitioning Canadian Forces members have gathered at emorial University to begin “Based In Business,” a week-long entrepreneurial boot camp developed by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Memorial and presented in partnership with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF).

At “Based in Business,” participants will develop their business ideas through classroom presentations, seminars, discussion and one-on-one time with experienced small business professionals as well as students and faculty from Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration. The program is entering its third year and for the second time has been recognized as a leader among SIFE programs by Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE).

The boot camp is an integral part of the Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program, a national program for transitioning Canadian Forces members interested in becoming entrepreneurs.  This unique program offers entrepreneurial education and business planning support, access to start-up and growth financing, and specialized business mentoring to those members of Canada’s military who wish to start their own businesses.

”As the participants of the Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur gather in Newfoundland, we offer them our full support and best wishes as they enter into the field of entrepreneurship,” said Katrina White, Chief Strategy Officer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “We are honoured to work alongside the team at SIFE Memorial to offer a program that is tailored to the success of transitioning Canadian Forces members and are committed to ensuring that the participants have access to the resources they need and the success they deserve.”

“We’re extremely proud to be offering this service to members of Canada’s military who have provided such an important service to this country and its citizens. SIFE Memorial and the Faculty of Business Administration are pleased to support their transition to becoming business owners who continue to support and serve their communities,” adds Lynn Morrissey, faculty advisor for SIFE Memorial and an assistant professor of communications at the Faculty of Business Administration.

The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program is supported by Prince’s Charities Canada, the Department of National Defence (DND), Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) and Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE). The program was created and built upon the foundation of the CYBF’s 16 years of experience in mentoring and financing new entrepreneurs and the “Based in Business” educational boot camp developed and offered by SIFE Memorial.

“The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur is about giving options to those who’ve served their country,” says Amanda Sherrington, President and CEO of Prince’s Charities Canada. “This program is a continuation of The Prince of Wales’s ongoing commitment to the Canadian Forces.”

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Canadian Youth Business Foundation – Canada’s Entrepreneur Gateway
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is the ‘go to’ place for youth entrepreneurship. As a national organization, we are dedicated to growing Canada’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business. CYBF is the founder of G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit (G20 YES) and founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA). For more information, visit www.cybf.ca.

Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration
Memorial’s Faculty of Business Administration is recognized as a leader in Canadian business education, offering innovative programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including bachelor of commerce, international bachelor of business administration, bachelor of business administration, master of business administration, master of employment relations and PhD degrees. Research contributions by members of the faculty to top business journals rank first among universities in Atlantic Canada, influencing how and what students are taught. Graduates of Memorial’s business programs are well prepared to make decisions and run organizations locally, nationally and internationally.

Memorial is the first business school in Atlantic Canada to earn AACSB international accreditation, the highest distinction a business school anywhere in the world can receive.

Prince’s Charities Canada
Prince’s Charities Canada (PCC) supports the Canadian charitable work of The Prince of Wales. The work of PCC is focused on The Prince of Wales’s core interests which have been well-established in the UK for more than 30 years. These include improving the lives of disadvantaged youth, education, responsible business, improving the built environment, regeneration of heritage and environmental sustainability.

CYBF: For more information, contact:
Nicolee Tattersall, Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
Office: 416.408.2923 ext. 2208
Cell: 647.405.2923
ntattersall@cybf.ca

SIFE Memorial: For more information, contact:
Shane Skinner, President
SIFE Memorial
Faculty of Business Administration
Memorial University
709.691.1761
sskinner@sifememorial.ca

Prince’s Charities Canada:  For more information, contact:
Matthew J. Rowe, Communications Coordinator
Prince’s Charities Canada
416-967-2940
matthew.rowe@princescharities.ca