Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition 2012

•  Applications will be available on bearslair.ca on November 16, 2011

• Submit your application to Workforce Development Board by 4:00 pm February 17, 2012 via email bearslair@wdb.ca

• Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of members from WDB, TD Bank, and Ontario Centres of Excellence

•   Four contestants will be selected to compete in each of the four regional competitions

• The public is welcome to attend the regional events for free

• The Grande Finale will take place on May 12, 2012, at Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough

• Four finalists, chosen from the regional competitions, will each pitch their business plans to three Bears in front of an audience of 600 people

• The winner will be announced at the finale and will receive a prize package consisting of cash, business products and services

Do you have what it takes to take an idea and turn it into a successful business opportunity? If so, enter the Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition. Start that business today.

The Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition is modeled after CBC's Dragon's Den, where you compete in one of four regional competitions held in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton and Northumberland. Like the television show, contestants pitch their business plans to a panel of judges. One winner from each region moves on to compete in the grand finale at Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough. At both the regional and grand finale, contestants compete for prize packages that include cash, business products or services.

"Last year's competition was a great success for all the communities and competitors involved," recalled Gord Evans, Chief Executive Officer - Workforce Development Board. "We received incredible support from local communities and businesses. There was a sense of fun and excitement as local supporters cheered for their region's finalist at the grand finale."

Jo Ann Baguioro-Thompson was last year's winner and her business, Tiburon Treats Inc., manufactures all-natural, holistic and super premium canine biscuits to the pet food market. Since her experience in the competition, "she's been up to her eyeballs in orders! Business has grown amazingly," said Debra Graffmann, Director of Business Development at Tiburon Treats Inc. In an effort to keep up with demands, Jo Ann has recently expanded her business by moving to a larger manufacturing facility in Port Hope.  

 Also adding to the fun and excitement was Robert Herjavic, Dragon's Den and Shark Tank, who was last year's keynote speaker and finale judge. "Robert was terrific last year," said Gord. "He went above and beyond what we expected." Herjavic participated in a pre-event VIP meet-and-greet session before the grand finale. Delivering his keynote address to a crowded Showplace Performance Centre, Herjavic discussed how he grew up in a poor immigrant family and how he worked tirelessly to become one of Canada's most recognized businessman.

Ron Buist, marketing guru, will be the keynote speaker and finale judge. Buist was Tim Horton's Marketing Director for 24-years, where he turned a once unknown donut shop into one of Canada's leading franchise organizations. "During our post-event review, the community overwhelming stated that they wanted more marketing information," explained Gord. "We couldn't have asked for a better keynote speaker and judge than Ron, he's got years of invaluable marketing experience to share."  

Not only will contestants compete for prizes, they will all receive invaluable business training. "We want to give entrepreneurs all the opportunity to succeed," said Gord. "That is why we brought in Ron and we're excited to announce the inclusion of Ontario Centres of Excellence from Ottawa. They will hold a business boot camp before the regional competitions and grand finale. Contestants will receive training in business proposal writing, and presentation training." The 2012 competition promises to be bigger and better.

Gord and his staff have been working hard leading up to today's announcement. "Workforce Development Board is proud to take the lead in organizing this year's competition. We want to continue to encourage and foster entrepreneurs to develop businesses that will lead local economies into a prosperous future."

The Bears' Lair Entrepreneurial Competition is a community based initiative developed and organized by Workforce Development Board. Community partners include TD Bank, Sun Media Corporation, Pineridge Broadcasting, Ontario Centres of Excellence, Microage, Studio-N, EV Zone Media, Terry G. Windrem and the Small Business Advisory and Enterprise Centres.