ENTRIES OPEN ON OCTOBER 17TH, 2023
DEADLINE TO ENTER: NOVEMBER 30TH, 2023 @ 11:59 p.m. EST
Application – Applicants must fill out an application form on the Muskoka Founders Circle website. Applications will be judged based on the following criteria:
Regional Economic Impact. Will your new business generate revenue and create jobs in Muskoka?
Business Model. Does your business have a good chance of achieving sustainable profitability?
Customer Demand. Is there local demand for your product or service?
Use of Funds. If you win the prize money, how will you use it?
Finalist Selection – Based on the applications alone, up to seven finalists will be selected by our Founders group to move on to the next stage of the competition. Finalists will be advised of their successful application by email in early January.
JANUARY 31st, 2024
“Meet the Founders” Reception and Informal Discussion – In preparation for their video interview all finalists will be invited to attend an evening reception and informal discussion. Many of our Founders will be on hand to meet the finalists and share share their views on how to make a compelling case for your company’s success in an interview.
Early FEBRUARY 2024 (dates tbd)
Video Interview Day – Each finalist will attend an individual video recording session where you will be asked a series of questions by an interviewer and your answers will be recorded in a low-stress environment. If you are unhappy with your answer to a question you will be allowed to re-record it. The goal of the session is to capture the potential for your company’s success as described by you.
You will be given the interviewer’s questions well ahead of video day to allow you to prepare. Attending the Founders Reception may also give you some good ideas about how to approach the interview.
The videos will then be edited and made available to a selection committee of Founders who will score each business based on the same criteria stated above.
Each entrepreneur will receive a copy of their video to use as they wish to promote their business.
WedneSDAY, february 28th, 2024
Founders Den – This is a kinder, gentler version of the “Dragon’s Den” show you may have seen on TV. Each of the seven finalists will appear on stage, one at a time, in front of a panel of judges and members of the public. Audience members and judges will view each finalist’s video, then judges will ask the finalist questions. Following each Q&A session the judges will privately fill out a scorecard. The judges’ scores will then be combined with those of the Founders selection committee to determine the cash prize winners.
Reception – Following the Founders Den event, a reception will be held in the Trillium Room at the Opera House where audience members can mingle and meet the contest finalists. Light appetizers will be served and liquid refreshments will be available.
Awards Presentation – After the final scores have been verified, the winners of the $10,000 and $5,000 Founders Choice Awards will be announced and presented with their cash prizes!