National
Youth
Entrepreneurship
Challenge

Sponsored by:



2024 NYCE OVERVIEW


Objective:

The National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is intended to give students in JK - Gr 12 an opportunity to demonstrate a practical and extendable understanding of concepts that are fundamental to Entrepreneurship


Format:

In a virtual assembly, finalists from each grade level will pitch their product/service ideas, following the guidelines outlined, below.  Guest judges will observe student pitch presentations, and students will be asked questions about different aspects of their proposed business plans. Judges will independently assign scores to each presenter for various categories at the end of each grade level's presentation round. Once all grade levels have presented, the virtual audience of student peers, school/organization administrators and family members will vote for a Popular Choice Winner. 


Note: presentations will be recorded and may be shared through various social channels. 



Date:

May 31, 2024


Awards:

Winners will be featured in the Brilliant Youth Series of Winner Magazine, an online editorial series published through www.BNS-News.com. Certificates of Participation and Distinction will also be awarded. 


2024 Esteemed Guest Judges:


Avi Zur - General Manager, Toronto Auto Brokers

Avi Zur brings over two decades of exceptional leadership and management experience to our judging panel. As the General Manager at Toronto Auto Brokers, a pre-owned luxury car dealership, Avi has demonstrated an unparalleled ability to drive his team towards delivering award-winning services. His refined command of both hard and soft management skills has been instrumental in Toronto Auto Brokers earning numerous prestigious awards, including being recognized as the Best Luxury Car Dealership in Toronto and Vaughan for three consecutive years by the CBRB Canadian Business Review Board. Additionally, Toronto Auto Brokers has been highly rated on DealerRater, achieving a 4.9-star rating with over 2000 reviews, and has met the stringent requirements of the BNS Best in Business List. Avi’s dedication to honesty, respect, and integrity in business, coupled with his strategic vision and hands-on experience, makes him an invaluable asset to our students, offering insights that bridge practical wisdom and innovative thinking.


Jennifer Donovan - Lawyer/Mediator/Owner, J. Donovan Law Group

Jennifer Donovan is a trailblazing leader in the legal field, celebrated as the Most Influential Leader of 2023. As the founder of J. Donovan Law Group, Jennifer has grown her boutique law firm into a powerhouse with three locations in New Brunswick, offering bilingual services in a wide range of practice areas. Her firm has received numerous accolades, including the Canadian Business Review Board Inc. Best Law Firm in New Brunswick and the Community Votes Fredericton awards. Jennifer’s commitment to integrity, community service, and mentorship, combined with her dynamic leadership, provides students with a powerful example of how dedication and compassion can drive both personal and professional success.


Nika Sanguellini - Owner, The Injectionist and Aesthetics

Nika Sanguellini is a visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind The Injectionist and Aesthetics, a leading luxury cosmetic clinic with locations in Calgary and Edmonton. Recognized by the Top Choice Award for three consecutive years, Nika has built a global clientele through her commitment to advanced technology, innovative techniques, and client-centric care. Her dedication to continuous reinvestment in education and breaking industry stigmas like ageism and genderism has positioned The Injectionist as a beacon of excellence in the cosmetic industry. Nika’s strategic foresight and relentless pursuit of quality make her a guiding light for students aspiring to achieve outstanding business success.



Important Dates for Mensa GYG Applicants

April 30 Elevator Pitch Submission Deadline:

Mensa GYG applicants must submit a 1-minute elevator pitch via video recording (can be a phone recording) as a shareable link through the form emailed to the GYG community.   


May 5 Finalist Selection:

Mensa GYG finalists for each grade-level will be contacted by May 5, with the opportunity to request guidance from GYG mentors.  


May 31 Official NYEC Event:

All finalists must be present in the virtual NYEC Google Meet conference at 2:00pm EST for live presentation of business pitches in ascending grade order.

*Note: If the time for this event changes, participants will be notified prior to the event


Important Dates for SLI Applicants:

May 26:

All applicants must present in class and have a grade-level finalist delegated by their teacher and principal. 


May 31 Official NYEC Event:

All finalists must be present in the virtual NYEC Google Meet conference at 2:00pm EST for live presentation of business pitches in ascending grade order.

Grade Level Categories, Time Limits, Group Size, and Recommended Format (format may be changed by the presenter):

JK/SK -  up to 3 minutes, Individual or group presentations, spoken presentation with craft or other clear description of product/service and optional bristol board

Gr 1/2 - up to 5 minutes, Individual or group presentations, spoken presentation with Google slides presentation, bristol board or website screen-shared via Google Meet

Gr 3/4 - up to 5 minutes / groups of 1 - 3 (GYG members may partner with non-GYG members of the same age category) / spoken presentation with slideshow or website screen-shared via Google Meet

Gr 5/6 - up to 7 minutes / groups of 1 - 3 (GYG members may partner with non-GYG members of the same age category) / spoken presentation with slideshow or website screen-shared via Google Meet and optionally, 3D-modelled prototype

Highschool Presenters - same requirements as Gr 5/6, however you may use up to 10 minutes


JK - Gr 2

Presentations of finalists should include all of the following elements:

- Verbal description of the product or service (purpose and use)

- Picture, prototype (craft), or live demonstration of product or service

- Example of who might buy the service

- Accurate proposition of price a customer might pay for the product/service

- Adherence to the 5-minute time limit (there is no minimum time)


Gr 3 - Highschool

Presentations of finalists should include all of the following elements:

- Verbal description of product or services (purpose and use)

- Picture, prototype (craft), or live demonstration of product or service (for Gr 3 and above, a Google Slides presentation or website that can be screen shared is preferred)

- Explanation of who customers are expected to be and why

- Break-down of materials cost to create one product/ set-up one service

- How much the product/service will be sold for and what the profit is expected to be

- A description of the marketing plan (this could be as simple as sharing information with friends and family for younger students)

- Adherence to the time limit 



Who can watch?

Friends and family of participating finalists, as well as any and all members of the respective SLI and GYG communities are welcome to join the virtual competition to view, send messages of encouragement during scoring periods, and to vote.  The assembly link will be sent to all GYG and SLI members, and friends and family may request this link directly from participating finalists.  


Past Winners and Judges in the Media:

Browse Winning Presentations From Past Years