The session will be held on Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. at South Jamatkhana. The cost is $5 and includes refreshments. For more information and to register, please email ep.epb.prairies@gmail.com. Members will be available in all Jamatkhana foyers on Fridays after Jamati ceremonies.
About the Entrepreneurship Program
The Entrepreneurship Program (EP) is a new sub-committee of the Economic Planning Board, with an objective to promote entrepreneurship within the Jamat. The EP’s mandate is to provide education, mentorship, business counselling, networking, and financing support to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in the Jamat. The seminars and workshops organized by the EP are specifically targeted to teaching and enhancing the skills and qualities needed to succeed in business.
Business Counselling Services
The business counselling service connects the aspiring entrepreneur with a successful entrepreneur from the same industry to provide assistance and guidance. The EP team members spend time talking to the aspiring entrepreneurs to truly understand their business idea before pairing them up with the right counsellor. This is one of the most popular programs put on by the EPB; the feedback received indicates that the aspiring entrepreneurs have gained significant amounts of business insights from their counsellors. Jamati members interested in this service are requested to email ep.epb.prairies@gmail.com.
Starting your own business is a very exciting time in an entrepreneur’s career cycle. However, this venture can be very risky. Seven out of ten new businesses that start up without any kind of external or expert help will generally fail. Before you quit your job or invest your life savings, seek knowledge from professionals and successful entrepreneurs within the industry.
Loans and support program – The Community Development Venture Fund (CDVF)
The CDVF is a privately held company which has been founded by independent “impact investors” from the Ismaili community for the purpose of supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship within the Jamat. The program is aimed at Jamati members who have applied for financing from financial institutions, but have been unable to obtain financing. This program is focused on lending funds to viable ventures that can provide some level of security and require early stage or growth financing as a last resort.
For more information and details on CDVF, please e-mail ep.epb.prairies@gmail.com.
For business related information and assistance, please e-mail ep.epb.prairies@gmail.com.