Children working together at a table

Minister’s Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence

Students in grades 6 to 12 are invited to submit their business ideas for a chance to win 1 of 3 awards for excellence in entrepreneurship.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has partnered with local entrepreneurs to recognize students who show an interest in entrepreneurship. Up to 8 students will be selected as finalists to pitch their business ideas at the Minister's Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence.

The 3 winning submissions will each receive $1,000 to help launch their idea, start their business or grow their business.

Have you ever thought about starting your own business? Have you already started a business? The Minister's Entrepreneurship Award of Excellence is your chance to show your entrepreneurial spirit and get real-world experience pitching your idea and making it a reality.

You can show entrepreneurship in different ways. Your idea could be for a product or service you could offer in your community, a way to solve a social or environmental problem you’ve noticed, or an invention or app that could make people’s lives easier.

Who can apply

The award is open to students in grades 6–12 in Nova Scotia public school.

How it works

Judges will review each application for how realistic the business plan is, and how it could address a social or environmental problem or create economic growth in Nova Scotia.

Finalists will be invited to a pitch competition where 3 winning submissions will receive $1,000 to help launch or start their business.

They'll also be provided with an opportunity to further their work on their entrepreneurial venture.

How you can apply

Have a business idea

Come up with an idea for a new business or submit one that you have already created.

Prepare your application

You’ll need to make a presentation (pitch deck) or written business plan (DOC 16 KB) that explains your idea, and a spreadsheet or document that outlines your budget (DOC 16 KB).

Your application should include:

  • a description of your product, service or idea
  • how your business addresses a social or environmental problem or creates economic growth in Nova Scotia
  • a marketing plan (how you plan to attract customers and grow your business)
  • what businesses you’ll be competing with for customers
  • what your budget will be, and how you would use the $1,000 to develop your idea

To get an idea of what could be included in your application, watch these videos on how to build a pitch deck and deliver an effective pitch.

Applicants should ensure compliance with the Regional Centres for Education and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial policies and completion of any board permission documents. In addition, if selected as a finalist, applicants will need to submit a signed Communications Nova Scotia (CNS) consent form for media purposes.

Apply online

Complete the online application by 1 March 2024.

Start now