Business Plan Competitors enter a Dragon’s Den
Posted on November 8, 2010
On Wednesday, November 10th, one of CBC television’s Dragons’ Den judges will make Queen’s School of Business his own personal den. At the QSB-PELA CFDC Business Plan Competition Dragon’s Lecture, prominent businessman Robert Herjavec will share his experiences of life as an entrepreneur and his journey to become the success he is today. The Dragon’s Lecture is part of a half million dollar business plan competition launched by Queen’s School of Business (QSB) and the Prince Edward/Lennox and Addington Community Futures Development Corporation (PELA CFDC).
Twenty years ago, while waiting tables at an upscale Toronto restaurant, Herjavec launched BRAK systems, his first technology company. It soon became Canada’s top provider of Internet security software worth a reported $100 million. Ten years ago, Herjavec sold his company to AT&T, and then helped negotiate the sale of another technology company to Nokia for $225 million. Today, he heads The Herjavec Group, listed as one of Canada’s leading and fastest growing IT security and infrastructure integration firms. Herjavec is also a successful author, having recently published Driven: How to Succeed in Business and Life.
“The lecture will appeal to anyone with the desire to start their own business,” says QSB Dean David Saunders. “Robert’s story offers insight into building your own dream job, even in a difficult economic climate, and provides valuable advice for entrepreneurs looking to take their business ideas to the next level.”
In the QSB-PELA CFDC Business Plan Competition, teams submit their ideas for starting a business in either Prince Edward or Lennox and Addington Counties. The top three teams will each receive $150,000 interest-free loans to implement their plan. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation has also offered $45,000 in loans to the runners-up. The competition aims to boost the economies of the two partner counties. The business loans were made possible through the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“I know our young entrepreneurs will be inspired by the opportunity to participate in the Dragon’s Lecture. I am confident this business plan competition will open doors for opportunity,” says Daryl Kramp, M.P. for Prince Edward-Hastings.
“This is an excellent occasion for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from one of the best,” says Craig Desjardins, Executive Director of PELA CFDC. “Robert Herjavec has shown Dragons’ Den viewers he knows what he is talking about. Now teams in the QSB-PELA Business Plan Competition, as well as our broader community, can receive that knowledge first hand.” The Dragon’s Lecture takes place on Wednesday November 10th at 5:30 in the BMO Financial Group Atrium at Goodes Hall, Queen’s School of Business and is open to the public.
For more information, please contact:
Jeff Dixon, Assistant Director, The Monieson Centre
Queen’s School of Business,
Phone: 613.533.3271, Fax: 613.533.6363
jdixon@business.queensu.ca