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E DWARD E D

R | c E USIN ss PEI Business Development (PEIBD) invites Island entre- preneurs to participate in St@rt- Up Challenge 2000, an e-Business Plan Competition to be held in coordi- nation with IT Week. IT Week, an initiative of the

Information Technologies Association of PEI, will

be held May 4 to 14, 2000.

The program will provide an opportunity for PEI entre- preneurs with business ideas in the emerging infor- mation technology sector to participate in a supportive and educational process aimed at developing solid business plans worthy of attracting the significant capital investment required to launch new IT ventures.

Winning entries will receive great prizes, including: cash, equipment, Internet hosting, marketing support, professional services and access to industry mentors committed to working with the entrepreneurs as they act upon their business ideas.

St@rt-Up Challenge 2000 is open to all residents of Prince Edward Island. For full competition details, eligibility requirements, rules and regulations, pick up the St@rt-Up Challenge Registration Kit at the PEIBD office in Charlottetown.

The deadline for submission of business summaries is 5:00 pm March 24, 2000. Participants may enter the

ition online at the Web site, by mail to PEI Business Development or by delivery to the PEI Business Development office.

ial Dates: The following table indicates the official key dates associated with the St@rt-Up Challenge:

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PriceWaterhouse Coopers

St@rt-Up Challenge 2000 Business Plan Competition

Supporting Sponsors:

island servicesnetwork

. PRINCE COUARS [SLAEOS tHTERBET COBPART™

Phase I Open Submission of Business Summaries Monday Feb. 28 Close Submission of Business Summaries Friday, March 24 Announce Three Finalists Wed., March 29 Phase II Open Submission of Full Business Plan Thurs., March 30 Close Submission of Full Business Plan Friday, April 28 Close Preliminary Judging of Full Business Plans Thursday, May 4 Phase III__Pitch Sessions Friday, May 5 Awards Ceremony Tuesday, May 9

For more information, visit the St@rt-Up Challenge Web site, at www.peistartupchallenge.com, email us at info@peistartupchallenge.com or contact:

Scot MacDonald

Account Executive - Information Technology

PEI Business Development

3rd Floor Holman Building, 25 University Avenue PO Box 910 Charlottetown, PE C1A7L9

Tel: (902) 368-5899

Fax: (902) 368-6301

E-mail: dsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca www.peibusinessdevelopment.com

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Stewart McKelvey Stirling Scales