EDP Business Challenge 2022

Our EDP Business Challenge 2022 is in the final round of judging! The Live Pitch Event is on April 25th at Lucky Bastard Distillery and you're invited to come watch this exciting event! Tickets are $25 and on sale now! Purchase tickets here!

Entrepreneurs will have a chance to win up to $3,500 and some amazing prizes! The challenge consists of 3 rounds. Judges are independent of the EDP Program and include business professionals and local entrepreneurs in Saskatoon.

2022 Judges

Round 1: Business Idea Submission - Due November 1st, 2021 - COMPLETE

Submit a short video or written description of your business or business idea. The independent panel of judges will grade the submissions based on how clear and concise your delivery is, your business viability, how much you know about your industry and market conditions.

Round 2: Business Plan Submission - Due February 15th, 2022 - COMPLETE

Submit your completed business plan. Our EDP business coaches will be available to support you through the process of writing your business plan and provide advice with edits. It is your responsibility to write your own business plan, we cannot write your business plan for you. Business plans will be graded on business model, operational plan, industry and market analysis, marking plan, and financial plan.

Round 3: Live Pitch Event - April 25th, 2022 - Tickets on Sale Here!

The top 3 finalists will perfect their business pitches with help from our EDP business coaches and present to a live audience and the three judges. Judges will grade pitches on three categories, business viability, presentation, and how well you answer questions from the judges.

The winner will be announced at the live pitch event. Prizes include cash, professional services, and recognition in the Saskatoon business community! This is a great opportunity to polish your networking skills and get your business in front of a large audience.

Tickets are $25 each to join the live action and each ticket includes an individual charcuterie box from the Prairie Grazer. Purchase your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/edp-business-challenge-2022-live-pitch-event-tickets-198440068587

Meredith Rhinas Mother, Entrepreneur, High School Teacher, and Heart Warrior.

Meredith is currently a High School teacher in Warman, but she has had opportunities to live and work overseas as an educator. She is married and has four amazing children. As a family, they are passionate about spending quality time together exploring the world around them.

Meredith also blogs about lifestyle, home decor, fashion, travel, and motherhood. She loves to capture both everyday and special moments through photography. Most recently she was involved as the creative designer and social media consultant behind the popular local AirBnb project, Melrose Place, and she continues to be involved in many aspects of the business.

On both her blog and Instagram account, you will see photos of Meredith's everyday life, along with stories and images of their adventures as a family, glimpses into her home, and a sense of Meredith's love for design, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Shenuka Wickramasinghe AWESOME Program Manager.

Shenuka is passionate about the impact entrepreneurship can have in someone’s life. She grew up in Saskatoon and has worked in economic development since graduating from the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.

Shenuka is dedicated to empowering women and youth with the confidence and creative tools to execute ideas profitably. She has developed a number of support programs for Saskatchewan and Western Canadian entrepreneurs including grant disbursements, accelerators and mentor accessibility. Shenuka has also held a number of volunteer and board positions in the Saskatoon community.

Outside of her career, Shenuka is certified to teach meditation and yoga. She enjoys spending time with her loved ones, exploring her heritage and nature, and playing with her pet rabbit, Penny.

2022 Finalists

James Avery Tax Manager at EY LLP.

James grew up in Moose Jaw Saskatchewan. He took 3 years of an economics and finance degree at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, NY. James finished last year of University through the University of Phoenix.

James is currently a tax manager at EY LLP and has been with EY since November of 2019. His role at EY is as a small business advisor for clients in many sectors who operate in both Canada and the US.

Before starting at EY, James’ life focused primarily around baseball. He was an NCAA All-American at Niagara, an Olympican with the Canadian National Team, and played professionally with the Cincinnati Reds organization for 7 years, the Detroit Tigers for 1, and also spent some time playing in Mexico.

James currently lives in Saskatoon with his wife Kaytlyn and son Brian.

Prairie Underdog Advocacy

Psystem Wellness Agency

The Family Nest

Thank you to all the entrepreneurs who applied and took part in the challenge. We loved hearing about yours businesses and we are here for you if you need any support moving forward.