Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) and Prairie Project Studio have officially launched the 2025 Entrepreneur Challenge in Portage la Prairie.
Now in its third year, this innovative competition is set to inspire and empower youth aged 15 to 30 to nourish their entrepreneurial spirit, and is a collaborative effort between RRC Polytech, Arrowhead Development Corporation, Portage Community Revitalization Corporation, Heartland Community Futures Whitehorse Plains, Portage and District Chamber of Commerce, and Portage Regional Economic Development.
"This will be our third year hosting a competition to inspire youth from Portage la Prairie to dream up business ideas and products and to learn about being an innovator and entrepreneur. Each year we have grown this event, better supporting the sponsoring partners and the students," said Guy Moffat, Regional Campus Manager, RRC Polytech. "At the Prairie Project Studio in RRC Polytech's Portage Campus we have equipment and access to local experts that help these students take their ideas to prototype and market testing. We believe that by providing them with the right resources and mentorship, we can nurture the development of innovative solutions and contribute to the growth of our local economy.".
Contestants now have two weeks to collaborate with their teams, refine their concepts, and craft compelling pitches. On February 27th participants will present their ideas to a distinguished panel of judges at the Portage Collegiate Institute multi-purpose room, beginning at 12:15 pm.
The top three pitches will be awarded prize money totaling $1,500 sponsored by Arrowhead Development Corporation, Heartland Community Futures Whitehorse Plains, and Portage Regional Economic Development. Winners will receive paid memberships to the Prairie Project Studio, providing them with a conducive environment to further develop their entrepreneurial ventures.
"This Entrepreneur Challenge represents a significant step forward in fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship within the Portage la Prairie community," added Moffat. "By bringing together various organizations dedicated to supporting local talent and business development, the challenge aims to cultivate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem," added Moffat.
About Prairie Project Studio:
Prairie Project Studio (PPS) provides a dedicated space to foster innovation and create local business concepts in Portage la Prairie. It's a space to turn an idea to prototype, a hobby into a startup, grow a small-scale manufacturing business, or explore innovation resources. Located at RRC Polytech's Portage Campus and in partnership with Communities Building Youth Futures, the PPS offers office space and project studio or makerspace. The makerspace is furnished with a heavy-duty sewing machine, multiple 3D printers, Cricut machine and laser engraver. The space is perfect for prototyping, inventing and small-scale production. The office space is an affordable startup hub providing essential amenities for conducting business including computers, printers, dedicated hot desks, access to local expertise on business, accounting and legal assistance, as well as a collaborative atmosphere.
