13 March 2003

Ellistar became "three for three" in entrepreneurship contests, after having taken top spot in Carleton University's Wesley Nicol Business Plan Competition.

Under the mentorship of Peter Kallai from Keystep Growth and Finance, Ellistar submitted a 30-page business plan along with 32 other teams comprised of a total of 70 competitors. Ellistar and two other entries were selected to present their plans to a judges' panel.

Peter then provided extensive coaching and motivation to the team in preparation for the final.

Carleton's Professor John Callahan, the coordinator of the competition, stated that "the Ellistar team had an excellent business plan and comprehensive presentation, but they also stood out in their enthusiasm for the project".

The $6000.00 prize money was divided equally between the team members. In Jim's words, "We have all received an excellent 'paid entrepreneurial mentorship', and each of us is very appreciative of Professor Callahan and Wes Nicol for giving us this venue to hone our business plan."

Photo - The Ellistar Team: Clockwise from bottom left: Mike Britton, Eliane Belanger, Peter Kallai(team mentor) Jim Pedersen, Fiona Shearer