The Path to Entrepreneurship Starts Here


The Contest

Thunder Bay Ventures is partnering with the business community for support with our Enter the Den (ETD) program/competition. It is important to show our future leaders the opportunities available in Thunder Bay and area for entrepreneurship as a viable career choice. Enter the Den is a business plan competition for Thunder Bay students (Grades 7-8 and Grades 9-12). It is a gentler version of the TV show format with practical and encouraging feedback provided to all semi-finalists and finalists.

Win Cash for your Business Idea!

    1st Place:

  $1,000

2nd Place:

$500

3rd Place:

$250

The three cash prizes for each category will go to students with good business ideas that have been well researched, well presented, and well defended. Both written and verbal presentations will be required, and we expect that the students follow the format of a business plan in developing their business idea.

3 prizes for each grade category (Gr 7 & 8 and Gr 9-12) 1st place $1000, 2nd place $500 & 3rd Place $250.

This contest offers encouragement and supports students along the way. Several resources and supports will be available to assist students moving forward in the competition. This includes tips on writing the business plan, marketing do's and don'ts, presentation skills and more.
Students do not have to start a business - the goal of the competition is to teach students about what is involved in starting a business and to recognize that starting a business can be a career choice.

2025 Dates to Remember:

Deadline to Enter: February 25, 2025
Semi-Finals: April 8 & 9th | Finals: April 29th

> CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE 2025 COMPETITION <

 

** Ask us about being a supporter for the 2025 Competition, email us at enterthedentbay@gmail.com

 

 

A shout out to our 2024 Supporters:

2024-etd-sponsors

 

2024
Results

 

 

 

Business Name

Student Name

Grade 7-8:

 

 

1st Place

The Origami Experience

Autumn from Ecole Elsie MacGill

2nd Place

Sustainably Scrunched

Kyleigh from Westmount

3rd Place

Garofalo Designs

Isabella from Ècole Publique de Thunder Bay

Runner up

Tech Surge

Sudaiv & Imran from Westmount

Runner up

VitalVoice

Nicholas & Olivia for Ècole Publique de Thunder Bay

 

 

 

Grade 9-12:

 

 

1st Place

Safe Stimming

Natasha from St. Patrick HS

2nd Place

Anemki Wajiw Dance Troupe

Eryn from Westgate HS

3rd Place

Replay Pedal

Caleb from Hammarskjold HS

Runner up

Rock Paper Zombies

Bobby from Westgate HS

Runner up

TBay Ride

Esher from St. Patrick HS

 

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ETD Dates to Remember

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Business Idea Deadline

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Semi-Finalist Competition

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Finalist Competition

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