PTBOCanada Featured Post: FastStart Peterborough Is Amazing Youth Entrepreneurship Program

Us: Knock knock. You: Who’s there? Us: Opportunity.
 
That might be a little bit cliché in 2015, but in this case we think it hits the nail right on the head.
 
FastStart Peterborough—a youth entrepreneurship program in collaboration with Trent University, Fleming College, and the Greater Peterborough Innovation Cluster—has an action packed weekend opportunity coming your way dubbed the Kawartha Backcountry Entrepreneurship Experience so you’ll want to pay attention here!

Quick Checklist of Q's:
-> Does the thought of working a 9 to 5 job give you nightmares?
-> Are you more of a creative free thinker with dreams of setting off on your own?
-> What are the chances that you’re between 18 and 29 as you read this?
-> Do you have plans from August 14-16?

If you answered “yes” to all 4 of these questions, or know someone who would and for some reason hasn’t read this, then you’ll want to listen up for either yourself, or for them! Also, you’ll want to either scrap your plans that weekend or change the date.

Open to all aspiring and current entrepreneurs who want to learn about starting their own business or further develop their skills, the Backcountry Entrepreneurship Experience offers an opportunity for Peterborough youth to immerse themselves in the world of entrepreneurship.

The experience is much like one of those light beer weekend away fantasy camps—only with no paid models and no overindulgence, but with an actual chance to make a better future for yourself in the weeks, months and years ahead.

Here is a quick rundown of what successful applicants can expect:
 
Day 1: The day begins at Trent University and is essentially a gauntlet style learning opportunity entitled “Entrepreneurship 101: So you want to be an entrepreneur”. If you’ve ever considered becoming an entrepreneur, you know it’s potentially a daunting task! That being said, this day isn’t meant to scare you but rather it’s there to open your eyes to the potential world of entrepreneurship. Topics covered include: What is an Entrepreneur, Business Model Canvas, Defining your Target Market, Conducting Market Research, and "Pitching your Venture like a Rock Star”.
 
Days 2 and 3: This is where the rubber hits the road. They will be devoted to a fun and competitive simulation that empowers teams to address entrepreneurial challenges and develop ideas for new business ventures in a “Kawartha Backcountry Competitive Advantage Challenge”. Combining canoeing, camping, and numerous outdoor activities, the participants will put what they’ve learned on Day 1 to practice surviving in the wilderness while also implementing and operating their own enterprise.

Apply Now!
Here is the really important detail you’ll want to remember: The deadline to submit applications is July 30, 2015. So don’t sit around and let time slip away! The Entrepreneurship 101 session at Trent can accommodate up to 75 participants of all ages, while the Backcountry Experience is limited to only 20 youth between ages 18 and 29.

For those who might be a little tentative about being all woodsy and survivaly for a night, you can breathe easy because the program is being presented in collaboration with the 2014 Bears’ Lair Entrepreneurship Competition Winner, The Land – Canadian Adventures. They know their stuff, so have no fear! 

One last thing >>> it’s FREE! The costs of the program will be covered in full by FastStart in order to reduce barriers to participation. 

For more details and to register, go here:
Website: innovationcluster.ca/discoverentrepreneurship
Contact: Rose Terry - 705.748.1011 x 7006
Twitter: @innovationptbo
Facebook: facebook.com/InnovationCluster

**If your business/organization is interested in a PTBOCanada Featured Post Advertorial, email our Sales Director Aaron Elliott at aaron@ptbocanada.com for info!