Secret Object Revealed! Canadians Challenged to Create Value Out of an Egg Carton
National YOU Innovate tournament challenges Canadians to innovate, create and add value
Toronto, ON, September 27, 2012 – Today the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) launched a challenge to Canadians to create value out of almost nothing at all. For the second year, this national tournament will be held in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week Canada (GEW Canada) to provide an opportunity for every Canadian over 16 years to engage with, connect to, and see the value of entrepreneurship in their lives. The reward for success is a share of $10,000 in cash awards and a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend the 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Congress.
Today, following weeks of speculation and buzz, the top-secret tournament object was revealed by the Honourable Minister Bernier, see the video www.cybf.ca/youinnovate. Beginning now until Monday, October 15, tournament participants will be tasked with creating as much value as they can, using an egg carton as the raw material for their innovation. Five finalist awards of $1,000 in cash and one Grand Prize cash award of $5,000 (plus a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Congress) will be awarded to participants from across Canada through online public voting and our expert judging panel. In addition, ten teams will receive honourable mention prizing generously provided by TELUS.
“YOU Innovate Canada is an exciting and challenging way for people to collaborate, create and celebrate the spirit of Global Entrepreneurship Week. This year, the challenge is using an egg carton, which lends a slightly nostalgic feel to the tournament as it is likely among the first materials used in kindergarten art class,” says Tessa Mintz, VP Volunteers & Programs of the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “As official hosts of Global Entrepreneurship Week Canada, we at CYBF are excited to again offer this tournament, since it is an opportunity for Canadians to come together in the spirit of entrepreneurship.”
“Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs are the up-and-coming business people who will continue to lead our economy to prosperity,” said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism). “Our Government is committed to creating the economic conditions needed for entrepreneurs to create jobs, to foster growth and to help build our communities.”
“The You Innovate Canada tournament exemplifies what can be achieved when young people are given the opportunity to innovate and think entrepreneurially,” states Rob Henderson, President of Student Awards Inc., sponsor of You Innovate Canada. “Innovation, entrepreneurship, and helping Canadian students realize their potential is the foundation of our company and we are proud to support this great program for a second consecutive year.”
The central concept of YOU Innovate Canada is the ability to look at an everyday object in a new and revolutionary way – an ability that is shared by successful entrepreneurs. In the spirit of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the tournament will challenge Canadians to think like entrepreneurial innovators and will hopefully inspire them to consider entrepreneurship as an exciting and rewarding career choice.
Tournament champions are will be announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 12 to 18, 2012. To register or to view tournament details, like rules and regulations, please visit www.cybf.ca/youinnovate today.
–30–
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 18-39, 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). www.cybf.ca.
About Student Awards Inc.
Canada’s Student Leader.
Founded in 1998, Student Awards’ mission is to help high school and university students realize their potential. Having built trusted relationships with over 2 million registered members, Studentawards has unparalleled insight, access, and reach into Canadian youth market. Studentawards has online properties in both English and French and owns Canada’s largest youth focussed market research company, Uthink. Studentawards is a privately held company and is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.
About Global Entrepreneurship Week Canada
Between November 12-18, 2012, more than 100 countries will come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a movement to inspire millions of people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. GEW Canada 2012 is hosted by the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, a national organization that works to connect hundreds of organizations to champion a culture of entrepreneurship and mentoring, through local, national and global initiatives. Visit www.gewcanada.com for more information.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Nicolee Tattersall
Manager, Media Relations
CYBF
416-408-2923 x220
ntattersall@cybf.ca
