1. Develop and Submit Your Application:

• Anyone wishing to participate in the Challenge will be required to use the same Business Plan template. The template is available free of charge courtesy of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
• Participants will have 5 months to create the Business Plan.
• Participants will be required to sign the following attestation:
  “I acknowledge that my participation in the Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge and submission of this Business Plan does not obligate the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville (the “Town”) and/or the Greater Stouffville Chamber (the “Chamber”) to select my entry as the winner of the Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge.”

2. Review Process:

• After the Challenge closes, a panel of judges will review all submissions and select 6-8 to move forward to the final stage.

3. Final Presentations:

• Finalists will then be invited to present their Business Plans to the panel of judges. Finalists will have 1 month to prepare for an in-person presentation. Presentation length will vary based on the number of finalists.

4. Winner Announcement:

• The winner will be announced at the Greater Stouffville Chamber’s annual Mayor’s Dinner.

To participate in the Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must have a business idea that can be implemented in a storefront on Main Street, Stouffville between Albert Street and Park Drive.
• Must demonstrate the potential for long-term success and sustainability.

Our judges will evaluate applications based on:

Innovation and Creativity: How unique and original is the business idea?
Community Impact: How will the business contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of Main Street?
Feasibility and Sustainability: Is the business plan realistic and financially viable?Presentation and Planning: How well thought out is the business strategy?

The Stouffville Village Small Business Challenge is your chance to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality. By participating, you’ll gain:

Financial Support: Up to $50,000 to kickstart your business.
Community Engagement: The opportunity to be part of Stouffville’s thriving business community and make a lasting impact on Main Street.

Submit your application starting on October 15, 2024 using the BDC Business Plan Template. For any inquiries or additional information, please contact us at mayor@townofws.ca