From the desk of Sandra Ballan-Brown, COEDC

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2010

Central Okanagan/Kelowna - The winners were announced for the 2010 Dragon's Den Edition of the Young Entrepreneur Program May 17th at a special luncheon at the Coast Capri Hotel.  The program is a joint initiative between the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission, School District #23 Career Life Programs, and Okanagan College School of Business for students in grades 7 to 12.

With the Central Okanagan having one of the highest rates of entrepreneurship in Canada at 97%, the aim of the programme is to provide youth in our community with hands-on learning experiences and create excitement towards the topic of entrepreneurship.

The theme of this year’s competition was to "Create Your Own Summer Job – Tourism”.  Students started working on their projects in February and were judged by professionals from many areas of the community.  Students had to complete three tasks which included creating their product or service, developing a financial plan, and a marketing and promotion plan. The competition is highly successful, as over 50% of task three teams take their business concepts to the start up stage.

The 2010 Award winners are:

Secondary School Winner of $2,500
Kelowna Secondary School Team iTour Kelowna consisting of Allie Lemoine, Kristen Valnicek, Kassia Vinci, Kayleigh Zinger-Harris.  iTour Kelowna created an iPhone and iPod Touch application to promote local tourism. (examples of their work is attached)

Middle School Winner of $1,000
Okanagan Adventist Academy team Neeko consisting of Nicole Dacre and John Eek with their Okanagan Cases business.  Their product; hand crafted cases shaped as fruit inspired by Okanagan orchards and vineyards are ideal for a Bluetooth headset, spare change, cell phone or keys.

Business Development Bank of Canada’s Small Business Incubator Grant
The BDC provided students with the opportunity to receive a grant to apply towards actually running their business for the summer.  Successful grant applicants were Vernon teams Green Cards and Christopher’s Crepes, and the Henna Hut team in Penticton.

Innovation Awards provided by Axel Partners
This award is provided to the team that shows the most creativity and innovation in the development and execution of their business idea.

Middle School Winner of $250
Dr. Knox Middle School Team Water Walkers consisting of Sagar Chopra, Robert Luo, and Sara Speight.  Product – innovative water toy.

Secondary School Winner of $500
Kelowna Secondary School team OK Valley Beach rentals consisting of Kelsey Marinov, Hilary Regnier and Brett Rothenburger.  Service – beach toy rentals.

We would like to extend a heart-felt thank you the sponsors for their commitment to making this event so successful. Continued support of this program has helped make the vision a reality by helping to offset the cost of the program supplies, the luncheon and awards.

For further information:
Sandra Ballan-Brown
info@investkelowna.com
(250) 469-6280

Platinum Sponsor	Gold Sponsor	Innovation Awards
Silver Sponsor	Silver Sponsor	Bronze Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor	Bronze Sponsor	Bronze Sponsor

Twin Creek Media is proud to be the Platinum Sponsor for the 2010 Young Entrepreneur Program.

Twin Creek CEO James Shaw says, "We believe that children are the future, teach them well and let them lead the way... oh, wait that's a Whitney Houston song.  But it's true!  This is a fantastic learning opportunity, not only for the students involved but for the Okanagan business community too."

About the Young Entrepreneur Program
Okanagan College, School District No. 23 and the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission are partnering again to organize the 16th Annual Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP)—Dragon’s Den Edition for 2010.
The YEP has a proud tradition of developing young business professionals. More importantly, the Program has had a positive impact on the lives of Central Okanagan area youth, their families and the community.

The Young Entrepreneur Program creates an opportunity for middle school and secondary school students to develop their business and entrepreneurship skills. Fifteen years ago the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and School District #23 created the Young Entrepreneur Program now known as YEP - Dragon’s Den Edition as the structure of the competition is similar to that of the CBC TV program.

Students complete three tasks which include creating their product or service, developing a financial plan and a marketing plan. Students work from February to April and are judged throughout the competition by business professionals from many areas of the community. Providing mentoring and guidance to the students are Okanagan College School of Business students and teachers from each of the participating schools.

Over the years students have emerged from the competition to be successful entrepreneurs and operated their own businesses. Yard crews, web design, graphic design, sign making, pine beetle wood pens, and clothing design have been just a few of the successful ideas that have emerged from previous competitions.  The competition is open to students in grades 7 – 12. In 2009 there were thirty-six teams who signed up to compete.

To learn more about the Young Entrepreneur Program contact the COEDC at (250) 469-6280 or email: info@investkelowna.com