Cornwall Ontario – One lucky entrepreneur will have the chance to set up shop rent free in Downtown Cornwall, thanks to the WIN THIS SPACE program. Setting up a business can be an overwhelming experience and the upfront costs of doing so can sometimes stop a great business idea in its tracks. The WIN THIS SPACE program was developed by the Downtown Business Improvement Association to attract new businesses to Cornwall’s downtown by offering free rent for a year.
Returning for the 5th year in a row, the WIN THIS SPACE contest is now open for intake. Any entrepreneur who wishes to open up a storefront business in the Downtown BIA is invited to apply.
Similar to the prior years, the selected applicants will advance through the competition, where top finalists will present their business pitches to a panel of judges. Based on the presented Business Plans, the judges will select one winner. The WIN THIS SPACE contest winner will receive the grand prize of $1,000 per month towards rent for an entire year for a space in the Downtown BIA.
“Win This Space was a blessing,” says Mike Petrynka, owner of Mike’s Printing and Apparel and the most recent winner of WIN THIS SPACE. “The program provided the support I needed to get my business up and running in Cornwall’s downtown.”
“The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre is happy to partner with the Downtown BIA to provide training and support to WIN THIS SPACE participants,” said Shauna Baggs, CBEC Business Consultant. “WIN THIS SPACE can be a game changer for entrepreneurs looking to move their business to downtown Cornwall.”
Program Details
Submissions are open until 4pm on June. 20 and on June 24 the DBIA will announce the 5 semi-finalists. The semi-finalists will have the opportunity to undergo a series of training sessions and professional consultations from local experts to get them ready for the Final Pitch and bring their business idea to the next level. This year Win This Space has partnered with The Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre, Andrew Seguin Financial, The Co-Lab, Sophie Goudreau and Kelssie Oakes from Century 21.
Finalists will then pitch their plans on September 22, in front of a LIVE audience and a panel of judges. Only one will be selected as the Grand Prize Winner!
Any entrepreneur wishing to open a storefront location in the Downtown BIA is invited to participate in the Win This Space contest. Click on the following link for more info:
www.downtowncornwal.com/winthisspace2022/
WIN THIS SPACE winners from previous years continue to be located in the downtown:
2018: Fairy Sweet Gourmet Bakery – 11 Second St West;
2019: Love & Lee – 111 Pitt St;
2020: Mike’s Printing and Apparel – 145 Pitt St.
No winner was selected in 2021.
About the Downtown Cornwall Business Improvement Area
The Cornwall Downtown Business Improvement Area seeks to build and maintain a strong business area for the community, and promote the downtown area so downtown businesses thrive and prosper.
Website: https://downtowncornwall.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CornwallDBIA
