Jori Kirk named Saskatchewan’s finalist for BDC entrepreneur award

The president and founder of Cypress Hills Eco-Adventures Ltd. has been selected as one of 11 finalists across Canada for the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)’s Young Entrepreneur Awards.

Jori Kirk, 33, originally hails from Climax and he felt the need to conquer a niche eco-tourism market in the province five years ago when he started a ziplining business at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. This month, Cypress Hills Eco-Adventures Ltd. will open up a secondary location at Elk Ridge Resort, just outside Prince Albert National Park.

“We helped shatter many of the stereotypes about Saskatchewan being ‘that flat and province where you can see for miles’,” says Kirk. “Small businesses like ours make up most of the local tourism industry, and we do what we can to work with other companies and Tourism Saskatchewan to spread the word about yet another great place to visit. What’s really important to us is doing this in the context of protecting the environment.”

Kirk’s company also emphasizes sustainability and public education.

Cypress Hills EcoAdventures Ltd. has earned countless accolades in tourism, including the Canadian Tourism Awards Business of the Year award in 2014, but this is the first time Kirk’s entrepreneurial spirit is being lauded.

Michael Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs at BDC, has high praise for Kirk.

“With his outdoor adventure business, Jori has found an innovative way to enrich Saskatchewan’s tourism sector and create a business model that also supports an important environmental cause.”

The “Eco Thrills” project, submitted by Kirk himself, is the only Saskatchewan entity vying for the top prize at the BDC young entrepreneur awards, which carries a $100,000 prize. Online voting for the finalists (one per province, and one entry per the three territories) begins June 3 and ends June 17.

Kirk says the top prize would help the local business continue enticing visitors to Saskatchewan.

“We want more people to come out and appreciate nature, and give Saskatchewan’s tourism industry a boost by offering something different. Vote for us so we can continue to educate and thrill ecotourists from around the world.”

People can cast one vote per day for Jori Kirk at https://www.bdcyoungentrepreneuraward.ca/en/ho me. The winner and runner-up of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award will be announced June 22. The runner-up will receive $25,000 in consulting services. To learn more about Cypress Hills Eco-Adventures Ltd., visit www.zipcypresshills.ca.