Win This Space

Win This Space Western NS Competition

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia- The Western Regional Enterprise Network (Western REN), the Town of Yarmouth, Ignite Labs, the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce and the Yarmouth Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) have been working together to launch an entrepreneurial competition called Win This Space. Win This Space is open to all legal residents of Atlantic Canada (NS, PEI, NB and NFLD), who are 19 years of age or older who have a business idea and want to establish their business in the Western Region.

All applicants are being asked to apply with their business idea between October 26^th, 2020 at 4 pm to November 16^th, 2020 at 4pm. The top 25 applicants will take several workshops delivered by the CBDC, submit their business plans, and execute a short presentation in front of the judges before the winners are announced on February 8, 2021. Applicants can be individuals or current business owners who have a new business idea. Applicants must be willing to commit to signing a minimum one-year lease for one of the participating listings which will be in the Western region.

The winning entry will be awarded one-year $1000 per month rent contribution which will be paid directly to the landlord, an Ignite Lab Resident Membership for one year, and a website with an e-commerce platform included. A second-place winner will be chosen who will receive an Ignite Lab Resident Membership for one year and a website.

The goal of the competition is to have an innovative new business launched that has an online presence as well as physical location in the Western Region of Nova Scotia. In the past, this competition has been delivered successfully in Ontario, and due in part to the excellent training offered to participants, there have been several businesses that opened their doors. “This is a very exciting opportunity for the Western region,” said Project Manager Brenda LaGrandeur. “We are very happy to have everyone work together on this project and to see what this brings to the entire area.”

Timeline of Competition

Applications Open (October 26^th, 2020 4pm to November 16^th, 2020 4pm)
“Plan Before the Plan” optional online info workshop – November 3^rd, 2020 7pm
Business Development Mandatory online sessions (December 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 2020)
Deadline for Business Plan submissions (January 4^th, 2021)
Top 5 Presentation of plans to Judges (January 28^th, 2021)
Finale- Winners Announced (February 8^th, 2021)
Winner move in date (March 1^st, 2021)
Business Opens (April 5^th, 2021)

Full details including contest rules and regulations available at www.westernren.ca/winthisspace

For Further Information, contact

Brenda LaGrandeur, Manager of Connector Program, Western Regional Enterprise Network, 902-653-0369 or by email blagrandeur@westernren.ca