$100,000 Business Incubator Challenge - Taking Entrepreneurs to the Next Level

TORONTO - Canadian entrepreneurs have a unique chance to take their business to the next level if they win the $100,000 Business Incubator Challenge, presented by The Globe and Mail and Cisco.

The contest, which opens today and runs to May 16, invites registered Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (entities located in Canada with between 19 and 249 employees) to submit a proposal describing their organization and an opportunity they see to enhance and grow their business. The winning company will be awarded $100,000 worth of Cisco equipment which can include routing/switching devices, wireless, security, and voice solutions to help make companies more productive and competitive. Cisco will also produce a case study video of the winning organization, their challenge, and the outcomes which will be highlighted on the Globe and Mail's Business Incubator site.

Entries can be submitted in written or video format. Full proposal requirements, judging criteria, and contest details can be found at www.globeandmail.com/100000.

"Entrepreneurs see where they want to take their businesses but may need some help - resources, advice, funding - to get there," says Noel Hulsman, editor of The Business Incubator. "The $100,000 Business Incubator Challenge can give a smart businessperson with a great idea that extra lift to elevate their business to the next level of success and growth."

The winning company will be selected by a judging panel that includes representatives from Cisco, The Globe and Mail, and members of The Business Experts Panel on The Globe and Mail's Business Incubator at www.reportonbusiness.com/incubator. The Business Incubator is a dedicated web site with supporting in-paper coverage that offers tools, advice and resources for business operators including case studies, podcasts, videos, online discussions, articles and more.