BrightLane Announces Entrepreneur Awards Panel of Judges

    TORONTO, ON, November 26, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The judges have been announced for the BrightLane Entrepreneur Awards (BEAs); a web-televised competition that challenges entrepreneurs to demonstrate their skillset in pursuit of their business goals, has just announced the line-up of judges and advisors for the series.

"We chose experienced, hands-on entrepreneurs from diversified sectors, encompassing media, technology, arts and culture, investment, publishing, academia and law. Everyone has terrific knowledge and knows what it means to build a business successfully," said George Horhota, President of BrightLane. He went on to say, "a key differentiator from other Awards is that we are encouraging existing small business owners who might be operating from a lonely home office, to make the leap and tell us why a collaborative, innovative co-work space will help them grow their business faster and more successfully. BrightLane's network of entrepreneurs/advisors will be available to mentor the winners of the BEAs."

The Judges are as follows:

• Valerie Fox, Executive Director, Digital Media Zone, Ryerson University
• Fawn Annan, President and Group Publisher, IT World Canada
• Heather Kelly, Founder/CEO, HKC Marketing
• Melissa Kluger, Editor and Publisher of Precedent Magazine
• Philip Bliss, Managing Partner, Chief Strategy Officer, Perceptible Inc.
• Bohdan Zabawskyj, Chief Technology Officer, Mercatus Technologies Inc.
• Jesse Moeinifar, Founder & CEO, Viafoura
• Andris Lauris, Vice President, Client Services, Cloudpipe Inc.
• Walsh McGuire, CFA Principal, Kalenjin Advisors
• Doug Checkeris, Partner, UnReel Gaming Inc.

Up to 25 successful participants will be awarded for their efforts with free Membership at BrightLane, which includes workspace, full use of facilities, support services and mentoring by the advisors at the BrightLane King West location. Unlike many start-up programs the BEAs encourage freelancers, small business owners, lawyers, consultants, and startups; anyone that works from a coffee shop or home and has a solid business concept can enter. The most promising of these participants will have a chance to win the $15,000 BrightLane Entrepreneur Award; prizes valued at a total of approximately $125,000 cash value! The first stage of the BEAs will take place at 9:30AM, December 6th at BrightLane's King West location.

The purpose of the BEAs is to promote entrepreneurial initiative, friendly competition and ultimately help the participants develop their skills and business ideas so that they become successful entrepreneurs. All of the winners will have the benefit of advice from a skilled team of advisors during their tenure. The top five will also have the opportunity to meet potential investors and potentially grow their business more rapidly.

There will be three opportunities for participants to demonstrate their skill:

1. An initial elevator pitch, where qualified participants have sixty seconds to pitch their business idea. If the idea is sound, the participant(s) will be allowed 5 minutes to pitch in a face-to-face with the BrightLane judges. Up to 25 participants will be selected to receive 6-months Membership at the BrightLane King West location.
2. The winning participants will be observed during their 6-months at BrightLane. 5 of the most promising entrepreneurs will be awarded workspace for another 6-months.
3. After a year of developing their business, the single most promising entrepreneur will be awarded the $15,000 BrightLane Entrepreneur Award; total prize value upwards of $23,000!

The BrightLane Entrepreneur Awards (BEAs) will take place on December 6th and promise to be an exciting opportunity for budding entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders and an entertaining experience for viewers of the web-series. Participants can submit their entry form online at brightlane.ca/bea.

The application deadline is December 3rd.

About BrightLane
BrightLane is a community of entrepreneurs working together on King Street West. A cool location and a historic brick and beam building may describe where our Members work, but the inspiration comes from you. We want to help you connect, collaborate and innovate and improve your business results.

That's the essence of entrepreneurial success. Starting a new business means putting everything on the line. It's a lonely road with many surprises. Taking this journey with others, some a little ahead and those who may have stumbled, is the best path for giving your enterprise every chance for success.

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