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Skills Camp for Entrepreneurs Supports Small Business: Ministers

Three Manitoba entrepreneurs have secured $8,000 in cash and in-kind prizes to give their startup businesses the tools and expertise needed to reach the next level of success, following a two-day skills camp in Brandon, Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn and Jobs and the Economy Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.

“Manitoba’s entrepreneurial spirit is driving economic growth and diversification in Brandon and surrounding rural communities,” said Minister Kostyshyn.  “We are pleased to support this skills camp, as it helps build a strong foundation for rural development.”

The three winning businesses, Shut Ur Pie Hole, Prairie Skyline Ventures and Unwind Massage Therapy and Yoga were selected from 21 participants at Innovate Manitoba’s LaunchPad Startup Skills Camp in Brandon yesterday.  The winners were chosen based on the strength of their pitches as well as the commercial potential of their businesses.

“The Startup Skills Camps are designed to help startup entrepreneurs focus on where they are going and what they need to do to get there -very practical guidance,” said Jan Lederman, president of Innovate Manitoba.  “With our partners in Brandon we were able to build on that and offer one-on-one mentoring and a pitch competition to help them test their mettle.  It was a great two days and some very exciting companies have emerged.”

One-day Startup Skills Camps are held three times a year to provide information and mentorship to Manitoba entrepreneurs.  Only the Brandon event is an expanded two-day camp, combining practical advice on starting a business with coaching on how to make effective business pitches and one‑on‑one mentoring sessions.

“There are many made-in-Manitoba success stories that grew from an idea to a thriving business and today’s entrepreneurs have the opportunity to learn from their experience,” said Minister Oswald.  “Events like the skills camp and organizations like Innovate Manitoba help us build capacity and support Manitobans as they invest in a future here in the province.”

The two-day camp in Brandon was presented by Innovate Manitoba, the Manitoba government and a number of other partners, with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries as the presenting sponsor.  Roy Johnston TDS, RBC Royal Bank, Alternative Landscaping and BDO were prize sponsors.