Entrepreneurs set to make pitch to Downtown Dragons
By Lethbridge Herald on August 24, 2021.
Emily Chong with Downtown Lethbridge BRZ talks about the Dragons Den-style competition the organization is spearheading during a media event on 4th Avenue S. on Monday morning. Herald photo by Trevor BuschLocal entrepreneurs should polish their pitch for a chance at a big discount on vacant downtown space for their business this fall.
Downtown Lethbridge BRZ, in partnership with Economic Development
Lethbridge, the Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures and the Heart of our City Committee, is hosting a Dragons Den-style pitch competition.
In a first for Lethbridge, local Lethbridge entrepreneurs who want to build their business in the downtown will pitch their business to the Downtown Dragons – local landlords – in hopes of securing a deal on a space.
“We’re super excited to be able to do this project,” said Emily Chong, marketing coodinator with Downtown Lethbridge BRZ, during a media event on Monday morning in a vacant space on 4th Avenue S. “Coming up in one session will be a Dragons Den-style pitch competition where entrepreneurs make deals with local landlords in downtown spaces. So that’s kind of the goal, we want to connect people to entrepreneurs together with downtown spaces.”
The first place winner of the competition will receive $12,000 toward their rent for an entire year. Applications opened Monday and the pitch competition will be hosted on Oct. 20.
“So entrepreneurs that are willing to take the next step and move their home-based, online based or non-storefront business to a downtown space can apply,” continued Chong. “Applicants can submit their applications by Sept. 15.”
First place will also take home free enrollment in SMARTstart and a one hour marketing strategy session with London Road Marketing. SMARTstart is an eight-month program organized by Community Futures designed to help entrepreneurs launch new businesses.Â
Other finalists will also receive free enrollment in SMARTstart.
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Yet another attempt to promote the downtown, at more taxpayer expense. Downtown is dead. Deal with the real underlying issues, and perhaps in time that might correct itself.