Canadian entrepreneurs could win up to $150,000 in Telus Pitch competition

A travelling life-sized custom elevator is stopping in Vancouver so entrepreneurs can give their 60-second live “elevator”pitches. Business owners have a chance to win up to $150,000 in prize money.

The first stop was Toronto where 20 small business owners pitched their ideas to Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson. They also entered the online competition.

Two winning small businesses will receive each $100,000. Two runners-up will receive $10,000 each. One small business that has been giving back in a meaningful way to their local community will be given $10,000 cash prize, plus an additional $10,000 to donate to the charity of their choice. The most promising startup will receive $10,000 in cash and prizes of two Samsung devices and mentoring and marketing services from startup marketing firm Eighty-Eight. Three semi-finalists will pitch to all six judges in Toronto on November 13 on how they plan to use the $100,000; the final winner will be announced live at the event.

"To have a shot at winning, entrepreneurs need only do what they do every day; pitch their business," says Suzanne Trusdale, vice-president of Small Business at Telus.

“I know what it takes to build a successful business from the ground up; $100,000 when you’re a startup or an early-stage business is equivalent to winning the lottery. It means everything," said Dickinson.

The annual competition runs til Oct. 29.

For full contest details please visit: telus.com/pitch

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