Frequently asked questions

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A: Teams of Canadian post-secondary students are tasked with imagining a distinctive product, and then, by utilizing the fast growing direct-to-consumer channel, outlining an innovative and entrepreneurial sales model to create market success.

The Entrepreneur Challenge format involves short written answers (of 200-300 words) to a series of questions, focusing on key aspects of the entrepreneurial process.

A: There are two rounds. If your team is one of the up to ten teams selected from First Round submissions by our judging panel, you will then need to complete a further Final Round of activities, which will involve answering additional questions about your proposed business activity.

A: Registration is open from September 22, 2021, until November 10, 2021.

A: No. There must be two to four individuals registered as part of your team. Having less than two or more than four team members will disqualify your submission and your entry.

A: Yes. As long as your team members are all 17+ and enrolled in the 2021-2022 academic year at an officially recognized Canadian university or college, you may enter. Residents of Quebec are not eligible to participate in the Challenge.

Visit the Challenge Terms & Conditions for full eligibility details. 

A: For the First Round, you must answer all six questions in the Competitors’ Package and submit, along with team member details, by 11:59pm (EST) on November 15, 2021.

For those team who qualify for the Final Round, submissions are due by 11:59pm (EST) on January 28, 2022.

A: Teams must submit one document in .PDF format, which should include answers to all six questions set out in the Competitors’ Package, as well contact and school information for each team member.

Our judging panel will evaluate each competition submission received against the following criteria:

• Completeness
• Creativity & Ideas
• Meeting Submission Parameters
• Format & Layout

Further details of judging criteria are included in the Competitors’ Package.

A: Qualifying teams will be notified via email by December 3, 2021. Depending on the quality of submissions, up to ten teams will qualify for the Final Round.

A: You can email us at [email protected] with your questions. We will endeavour to get back to you with an answer within 48 hours.

A: Direct-to-consumer (D2C) refers to the selling of products by firms to their end customers without selling through retailers, distributors, wholesalers or other outlets. 

Models of D2C selling include:

• Online sales (via your own site or a marketplace)
• Direct selling
• Influencer marketing
• Referral marketing
• Social selling
• Affiliate marketing

The direct selling model is a specific form of D2C channel marketing. Firms that use the direct sales model use a variety of person-to-person approaches to promote products and services directly to their end customers. 

A: Please email us at [email protected] and we will contact you with information on how you can get started. Also, visit the Resources page for further background reading.