Judges announced

Start-up Port Hawkesbury receives 20 pitches in business contest

Judges for the Start-up Port Hawkesbury competition have been announced as the first round of the contest has closed.

Three area judges have been announced including Wayne MacKay of Canso Ford, Danielle MacDonald from Tim Hortons and Tracey Cummings from Subway and Celtic Sisters Gifts.

“We are thrilled to have three experienced business people participate as judges in the contest,” said Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton said in a news release. “It is extremely beneficial that our judges understand the area’s business climate and it is very exciting to have the business community welcome and mentor these new entrepreneurs”.

Start-up Port Hawkesbury is a “Dragon’s Den style” contest that will see one new business win two years of rent free space in Port Hawkesbury, pre-qualify for a $20,000 business loan, receive pro-bono legal services, graphic design services, a oneyear Strait Area Chamber of Commerce membership, and ongoing support and training from contest partners.

The first round required entrants to submit a 90-second video pitching their business idea. Entrants who advance to the next round will be required to further refine their idea through a concept paper and a two-minute pitch before the judging panel.

The contest organizers are pleased with the response so far, with 20 pitches received by the Sept. 1 deadline.

“The interest generated has been tremendous, not only from within the Strait Area but also in expanding partnerships for entrepreneurial growth around the province,” said Misty MacDonald, project lead with the Eastern-Strait Regional Enterprise Network.

A second workshop will be held on Sept. 21 to assist potential businesses develop a business plan. The timing of this event coincides with the Mashup Weekend: Oceans Edition which is being hosted by Island Sandbox and Mashup Lab at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre on Sept. 22-23. Interested participants in the workshop can register for the workshop by phoning 902623-2780 or emailing startup@ esren.ca.

For contact information or for more information about Start-up Port Hawkesbury contest, visit https://esren.ca/ start-up-port-hawkesbury/ .