Program helps transitioning military members start and run successful businesses<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n TORONTO, ON (February 12, 2013)<\/strong> \u2013 Applications open today for The Prince\u2019s Operation Entrepreneur, a program designed to assist Canadian Forces members interested in making the move from a military career to becoming an entrepreneur and improving their chance of business success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seeking a way for His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to help transitioning Canadian servicemen and women, Prince\u2019s Charities Canada looked to the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and Enactus Memorial to provide an option to those who see business ownership as their next career step. His Royal Highness currently serves as Colonel-in-Chief to seven different Canadian Forces regiments. The Prince\u2019s Operation Entrepreneur supports Canadian Forces members interested in realizing their ambitions of becoming entrepreneurs by providing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Prince\u2019s Operation Entrepreneur provides pathways to entrepreneurship for the men and women who have served our country with tireless dedication,\u201d said Julia Deans, Chief Executive Officer, CYBF. \u201cThe remarkable organizations collaborating in The Prince\u2019s Operation Entrepreneur are providing these individuals with the tools they need to create successful businesses, and CYBF is proud to continue our longstanding relationship with His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as the Canadian affiliate of the Prince\u2019s Youth Business International.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n The award-winning Based in Business<\/em> entrepreneurial boot camp is the flagship component of the program, and applications for the summer 2013 program are now open at cybf.ca\/poe<\/a>. Here, participants will have access to corporate experts while working with university professors and business students to develop their business plan. After the course, participants may also receive vital support through CYBF, to help them start and run their businesses successfully, which may include up to two years of industry-leading mentoring, business support, start-up financing and access to a network of business experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAt first I couldn\u2019t understand why non-Canadian Forces agencies and people were committed to offering such an incredible transition opportunity to aspiring entrepreneurs…for free,\u201d said Lieutenant Commander Kathryn Hodgson, a retired personnel selection officer and graduate of last year\u2019s Based in Business<\/em>. \u201cAs participants in the program, we were blessed with this incredible opportunity to be taught, supported, mentored, and inspired by the best. The entire team has helped us realize our passion, potential, skills and energy, and we can now amplify these attributes within our individual areas of expertise within our own communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Prince\u2019s Operation Entrepreneur builds on the successful track record of key partners; CYBF, Prince\u2019s Charities Canada and Enactus Memorial; and is supported by the Department of National Defence (CF), Veterans Affairs Canada and Enactus Canada. The program is sponsored by the Government of Canada, The Prince of Wales\u2019s Charitable Foundation, The Queen\u2019s Silver Jubilee Trust and PropertyGuys.com.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian Forces members of any age who are within 12 months of voluntarily releasing, have been voluntarily released from the military, or have been (or will be) medically released (no time restrictions) can learn more about the program and apply by visiting cybf.ca\/poe<\/a> or calling 1-866-646-2922.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – 30 –<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canadian Youth Business Foundation<\/strong> Prince\u2019s Charities Canada<\/strong> The organization\u2019s objectives are guided by the work of The Prince\u2019s Charities, a group of 16 non-profit U.K. organizations, of which The Prince of Wales is President. These charities collectively work in 38 countries and form the largest multi-cause charitable enterprise in the U.K., raising nearly $200 million each year. Initiatives are focused on The Prince\u2019s main areas of work and are delivered by our partner organizations. Visit www.princescharities.ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Enactus Memorial<\/strong>\n
\nThe Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing Canada\u2019s 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 a founding member of the global G20 Young Entrepreneurs\u2019 Alliance (G20 YEA). Visit www.cybf.ca<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nPrince\u2019s Charities Canada (PCC) supports the Canadian charitable work of HRH The Prince of Wales. The work of PCC is focused on The Prince of Wales\u2019s 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, environmental sustainability and support for the armed forces. PCC works with existing Canadian charities already connected to The Prince and facilitates new opportunities for charitable organizations in Canada and the U.K. to work together. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nEnactus is an international non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing skills to become socially responsible business leaders. The Memorial University chapter has been internationally recognized for its program, \u201cBased in Business,\u201d which provides military veterans with business-skills training in a one-week summer residential setting. Visit enactus.org<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n