Calling all Canadian entrepreneurs

TELUS and The Globe and Mail have launched of The Challenge, the 3rd annual contest inviting Canadian small and medium-sized business owners to present their biggest business challenge for the opportunity to win a $100,000 grant from TELUS. Entrepreneurs across Canada are invited to submit entries at Globeandmail.com/thechallenge and will be judged by a panel that includes entrepreneurs and business experts. To enter the contest, entrants are asked to describe the following:

• A challenge their business is currently experiencing (200 words);
• A proposed solution to this challenge and how the $100,000 prize would help overcome that challenge (200 words);
• An explanation of the results they expect to achieve (200 words);
• A description of how their business incorporates the following values into their business: 1) community investment/commitment to charities, 2) customer service and 3) innovation (200 words);

In 2012, TELUS received more than 1200 entries. The judging panel will review and shortlist submissions to four semi-finalists. For the first time, semi-finalists will be required to present their business challenges to the judging panel at the TELUS House in downtown Toronto in June, and explain how they would use the business grant to overcome their key obstacle. Semi-finalists will also be profiled in The Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. The contest closes May 27, 2013 and the final winner will be announced on September 26, 2013.