Turn your idea into a profitable company by entering the New Ventures BC competition.

A "new venture" is a business idea that is economically viable, but has not yet secured significant financing from "outside investors" (ie. investors other than friends, family, and company founders). It must be an innovative product or service involving a new technology.

The competition will give you the opportunity to:
Join in-depth seminars, and network with business, legal, government, and marketing professionals.
Meet experts, mentors, and innovators who can help you take your idea from germination to fruition.
Refine your idea for a technology product or service and develop a business plan to attract financing.
Win the first prize package worth over $100,000.

2009 Competition
The competition consists of four rounds of increasing complexity and commitment. Teams are eliminated after each round. As you advance, you will win the opportunity to work with mentors and join in-depth workshops.

Idea Eligibility
The New Ventures BC competition is open only to those ideas involving a new technology. For all eligibility requirements, see the 2009 competition rules.
In the past, new technologies have included a pile driver, a laptop antitheft device, a livestock feeding system, and a wireless gaming application, among others.

Registration Fees
The competition costs $100 to enter. This fee is due by the competition deadline on April 20, 2009.

2009 Competition Dates
Round 1 registration deadline: April 20, 2009
Round 2 deadline: May 27, 2009
Round 3 deadline: August 19, 2009
Round 4 oral presentations: September 10 & 11, 2009
Awards Ceremony: September 24, 2009

2009 Program Schedule - Seminars and deadlines. Speakers TBA.
April 1 - Seminar 1- Assessing the Opportunity. SFU Segal Centre.

April 8 - Seminar 2 - Managing your Intellectual Property. SFU Segal Centre.

April 15 - Seminar 3 - Market Research and Product Marketing. SFU Segal Centre.

April 20 - ROUND ONE DEADLINE

April 22 - Seminar 4 - Corporate Structure - Cap Tables, Options, Shares. SFU Segal Centre.

April 24 - Round Two finalists announced.

April 29 - Networking Event. SFU Harbour Centre.

May 6 - Seminar 5 - The Business Plan. SFU Segal Centre.

May 13 - Seminar 6 - Financing Structure - Financial Statements, Models, Cash Flow, Burn Rate. SFU Segal Centre.

May 20 - Seminar 7 - All about Funding: Friends & Family, Angels, VCs. SFU Segal Centre.

May 27 - Seminar 8: Perfecting your Pitch. SFU Segal Centre.

May 27 - ROUND TWO DEADLINE

June 3 - Seminar 9: Start at the end: exit strategy. SFU Segal Centre.

June 15 - Round three finalists announced.

Round 3 - SPECIFIC EVENTS
June 25 - NETWORKING: Meet your mentor. SFU Harbour Centre.

July 9 - Mentor Panel One. SFU Harbour Centre.

July 10 - Sean Wise Bootcamp. SFU Harbour Centre.

August 13 - Mentor Panel Two. SFU Harbour Centre.

August 14 - Early Stage Funding: IRAP/SR&ED Workshop. SFU Harbour Centre.

August 19 - ROUND THREE DEADLINE

Round 4 SPECIFIC EVENTS
Sept. 4 - Round 4 finalists announced.

Sept. 10/11 - ROUND 4 Oral Presentations. SFU Harbour Centre.

Sept. 24 - Awards Ceremony. SFU Segal Centre.

Speakers, locations and dates may change on short notice. Please check this site for updates before each event.

For more information, visit www.newventuresbc.com or email us at contact@newventuresbc.com