November 26, 2009: High school students are invited to attend the free “EntrePrep Mixer with Music and Mocktails” event on Monday, November 30, 2009 at the Speak Easy at Algoma University. Hosted by the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre (SSMIC) and Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie (ECSSM), the event aims to teach students about local entrepreneurship opportunities and programs. The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features entertainment by the talented Korah Collegiate band Mustang Sally, a cash ‘mocktail bar’ with fun non-alcoholic drinks and the opportunity to mix and mingle with local small business owners. “EntrePrep Mixer with Music and Mocktails” is free to attend and high school students will also have the chance to win an iPod Touch.

“We hope that students attending this event learn about the many small business and entrepreneurship career options available to them in northern Ontario,” said Tom Vair, executive director, SSMIC. “There is nothing like talking directly with experienced entrepreneurs and students will be invited to mingle with and ask local entrepreneurs questions about how they got started and learn more about their businesses. We will also be looking for high school volunteers to help out with future entrepreneurship related events. In all we hope that students participating learn a lot and have fun at the same time.”

“This is a great opportunity for students to learn about programs such as Summer Company and the High School Business Plan Competition in a fun and informal setting,” said Zoltan Virag, youth business development coordinator, ECSSM. “We’re hoping to have some former Summer Company participants speak so students can hear firsthand accounts of participating in the program.”

The event is held as part of the “Entrepreneurship Prep” program that SSMIC, in partnership with ECSSM, began running this fall with support from the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT)’s Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships program (YEP). The “Entrepreneurship Prep” program will run for the 2009-2010 school year with the goal of educating high school students in the Algoma District on the entrepreneurial opportunities available to them in northern Ontario. An “Entrepreneurial Council” made up of local high school student volunteers will begin in January 2010. Students will meet once a month to help plan events aimed at other students and increase awareness of programs such as Summer Company and the High School Business Plan Competition. There will also be a free series of workshops beginning in 2010 where high school students can learn how to write a business plan, as well as a second free “EntrePrep Mixer with Music and Mocktails” event. The end goal of the program is to prepare students to participate in Summer Company or enter the High School Business Plan Competition.

“During our three year New Possibilities YEP program we noticed a lot of interest among younger students in both the Summer Company program and the High School Business Plan Competition,” said Vair. “With that in mind, we designed the Entrepreneurship Prep program to build off of New Possibilities and give students an opportunity to build practical skills to help prepare them for these programs and to start their own business in the future.”

YEP provides funding to support projects through not-for-profit organizations that facilitate the development of an enterprising culture amongst Ontario’s youth by providing them with educational and entrepreneurial opportunities and programs.

The launch of this program follows the completion of SSMIC’s third and final year of the New Possibilities YEP program which educated Algoma Region youth in grades 8 to 10 about entrepreneurial careers in science and technology.

For questions about Entrepreneurship Prep, “EntrePrep Mixer with Music and Mocktails” or to schedule a classroom presentation, contact Marla Guzzo, marketing specialist at mguzzo@ssmic.com or 942-7927 x3130.

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About Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie (a division of SSMEDC)

Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie is your first step in planning and implementing your business ideas! Provided free of charge to clients are a tremendous number of easily accessible business information resources. These include pamphlets, information packages, comprehensive databases, an extensive resource library full of useful materials covering every area imaginable, business registration forms, and financing guides. Clients are strongly encouraged to take advantage of everything ECSSM has to offer! One of the most important services we provide is private counseling to clients interested in more specific information. Experienced advisors provide a variety of services to clients during the counseling process. Some of the services provided by the consultants may include:
• Simplifying the start up process for small business
• Promoting proper business planning before business start up
• Assisting with business plans, marketing, and management
• Answering general questions about financial and legal elements of business
• Improving the success rate of small businesses
• Providing referrals where necessary and acting as a dependable liaison
Our office is located in the Civic Centre, 3rd Floor, and is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30. However, should you need to make arrangements other than those hours we are always able to accommodate.

Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie (a division of SSMEDC)
99 Foster Drive, Level 3
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada P6A 5X6
Telephone: (705) 759-5432 Toll-free: (800) 565-4507
General Email: info@ssmedc.ca
www.sault-canada.com
 

About Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre

The Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre was founded in 1999 and serves as a catalyst for growth in the IT, science and knowledge based sectors in the Algoma District. In 2009, they merged with science enterprise Algoma to combine resources and accomplish their mutual goals of enhanced innovation capacity for both the IT and bioscience sectors. The Innovation Centre works closely with community partners to enhance and improve science and IT sector opportunities.

The Innovation Centre is focused on four core areas: operating a business incubator to encourage the establishment and growth of business start-ups; providing support services to the SME (Small to Medium Enterprise) IT and science community; supporting the establishment and enhancement of advanced research projects in the region and undertaking strategic market development projects such as the highly successful GIS project.

The Innovation Centre operates an award-winning GIS department that has been recognized internationally for its unique community information utility model and advanced work in the health and human services sector.

Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen Street East, NW 307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
Telephone: 705-942-7927
http://www.ssmic.com
http://www.itssm.com

For More Information Contact:

Mei Ling
Communications Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
1520 Queen St. E., Rm. NW307
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4
705-942-7927, Ext. 3122
mling@ssmic.com
www.ssmic.com
www.itssm.com
www.facebook.com/ssmic