T-Shirt Retailer Wins 2011 Dobson Cup
OVERVIEW
The Dobson Cup is an annual opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas and not-for-profit startups. It is hosted by the Dobson Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Desautels Faculty of Management. Participants whose concepts demonstrate the most innovation, viability and growth potential are awarded over $15,000 in prize money along with prestige that is associated with the accomplishment. All entrants benefit from the competition as the panel of distinguished judges, whom are all McGill alumni or faculty, offer helpful recommendations to help grow and advance each business idea. Additionally, corporate sponsors are becoming actively involved due to the growing notoriety and business potential of this high caliber competition.
OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS
In its third year, the competition has more than doubled in student participation increasing to over 150 students, over a dozen alumni as well as McGill staff. It is interesting to note that although many participants are associated with the Desautels Faculty of Management, the competition has successfully reached across faculties. Over half of the participants were from outside of the Faculty of Management; engineering, law, music and science. In addition, over 50% of participants have completed their undergraduate studies and, now, want to apply their knowledge in practice.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The participants' unique and rewarding experience is mainly due to the distinguished panel of judges. The judges possess the knowledge and expertise to not only efficiently judge the competition, but give valuable feedback as to how participants can advance their business concepts. In addition to the judges' contribution and generous support on the presentation dates, the Dobson Cup has launched a mentorship program between the judges and the participants. The program facilitates a partnership between each of the finalist groups and a judge. The judges will mentor their groups giving ongoing feedback as to how the participants can turn their business proposals into successful and thriving ventures.
2011 Dobson Cup WinnersÌý
I. FOR PROFIT
First Place: MORAL FIBERS
Moral Fibers is a for-profit T-shirt retailer with a charitable focus on the developing world. By printing shirts designed by artists living on less than two dollars a day, we will help raise hundreds out of poverty and develop talent where few are looking.
WEBSITE: Ìý
Second Place: INFINITY BLADES
Infinity Blades sells high-quality haircutting scissors to hairstyling professionals. Our cutting-edge blade technology eliminates the need to sharpen and drastically increases the lifespan of our scissors, saving our customers hassle, time, and money.
Third Place: TEABEAN
Teabean is made from White Coffee beans which have been baked (rather than roasted), a process which gives them a sweet, tea-like taste. Once ground, they are infused with teas and spices, creating a unique tasting beverage that combines the caffeine of coffee with the taste and health benefits of tea.
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Fourth Place: WILDCARD
Wildcard Montreal is a nightlife membership card with free and reduced access to Montreal's top nightclubs, store discounts, prize draws and events! We have taken the relatively old concept of guestlists and completely revolutionized, revitalized and enhanced the process, while pairing it with unbeatable benefits.
WEBSITE: Ìý
Fifth Place: NEURORA
Neurora offers solutions and services to hospitals and clinics to extract diagnostically and surgically crucial information from raw medical images. By reviewing this information, clinicians are able to make more effective decisions, thus allowing them to provide higher level of patient care.
Honourable Mention: JOUÏ㽶ÊÓƵL PREP
Journal Prep provides English editing and peer reviewing services to academics in myriad disciplines. The business aims to help authors of academic documents improve the content and written quality of their work prior to initial submission for publication.
WEBSITE: Ìý
Honourable Mention: SALUBRI
Salubri is an online platform that allows people to browse, book and pay for consultations with their health practitioners specializing in wellness and prevention. Sessions can take place in person, over the telephone or by online videoconference. Patients are now empowered to make conscious decisions when selecting health practitioners.
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II. NOT FOR PROFIT
First Place: STREET SUDS
Streetsuds is a Laundry service social enterprise that advances the mission of the St. James Drop-In by providing both a contract laundry service and a transitional vocational rehabilitation program. Our innovative structure is designed to accept and address the physical and mental health challenges of our workers in a compassionate manner and simultaneously develop their capacity to enter the workforce successfully.
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Second Place: EDUKIDS
EDUKids is a not for profit organization whose mission is to provide free tutoring services to struggling students in the neighborhood of Cotes-des-Neiges. The tutoring services will be available for free through a partnership with a local high school which will provide classrooms and where the tutors will be recruited.
View photos of the Dobson cup winners