Canadian Military Participants Arrive at Memorial University for Entrepreneurial Boot Camp

^[1]Today, 20 transitioning Canadian Forces members have gathered at Memorial University ^[2] to begin “Based In Business,” a week-long entrepreneurial boot camp developed by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Memorial ^[3] and presented in partnership with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation ^[1] (CYBF).

At “Based in Business,” participants will develop their business ideas through classroom presentations, seminars, discussion and one-on-one time with experienced small business professionals as well as students and faculty from Memorial University’s Faculty of Business Administration. The program is entering its third year and for the second time has been recognized as a leader among SIFE programs by Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE).

The boot camp is an integral part of the Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program, a national program for transitioning Canadian Forces members interested in becoming entrepreneurs. This unique program offers entrepreneurial education and business planning support, access to start-up and growth financing, and specialized business mentoring to those members of Canada’s military who wish to start their own businesses.

“As the participants of the Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur gather in Newfoundland, we offer them our full support and best wishes as they enter into the field of entrepreneurship,” said Katrina White, Chief Strategy Officer, Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “We are honoured to work alongside the team at SIFE Memorial to offer a program that is tailored to the success of transitioning Canadian Forces members and are committed to ensuring that the participants have access to the resources they need and the success they deserve.”

“We’re extremely proud to be offering this service to members of Canada’s military who have provided such an important service to this country and its citizens. SIFE Memorial and the Faculty of Business Administration are pleased to support their transition to becoming business owners who continue to support and serve their communities,” adds Lynn Morrissey, faculty advisor for SIFE Memorial and an assistant professor of communications at the Faculty of Business Administration.

The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program is supported by Prince’s Charities Canada ^[4], the Department of National Defence (DND), Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC) and Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE). The program was created and built upon the foundation of the CYBF’s 16 years of experience in mentoring and financing new entrepreneurs and the “Based in Business” educational boot camp developed and offered by SIFE Memorial.

“The Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur is about giving options to those who’ve served their country,” says Amanda Sherrington, President and CEO of Prince’s Charities Canada. “This program is a continuation of The Prince of Wales’s ongoing commitment to the Canadian Forces.”