Inspiring hearts and innovating minds: contest invites young Canadians to realize their dreams

Fourth Start Something with Alesse contest calls for bold, bright ideas, for a chance to win funding and mentorship to get them started

KIRKLAND, QC, Sept. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian youth today face a different reality than their parents did - they are emerging more educated and ambitious than ever, but despite their education, have fewer job options.¹ The Start Something with Alesse contest, which kicks off today, aims to nurture that entrepreneurial spirit by inviting Gen Ys to submit their unique ideas to "start something" for a chance to win financial support and guidance to bring those ideas to life.

Young Canadians are bursting with entrepreneurial spirit and a passion to shape their world.  In a survey of Canadians 18 to 34, more than half of young Canadians said they constantly come up with new ideas or projects. However, two-thirds said that lack of financial support is a barrier to success and half stated that a lack of guidance holds them back.² As the generation that is shaping Canada's future, Start Something with Alesse is founded on the premise that each idea for an innovative new business or inspiring community initiative deserves the chance to be fostered and supported - as such, it is offering $5,000 and mentorship to its two winners.

To further inspire entrants, Start Something with Alesse has teamed up with television personality and Free the Children global ambassador Jessi Cruickshank, and actress, singer-songwriter, and entrepreneur Caroline Néron, to be the official judges to determine the top ten finalists for this year's contest.

"I am thrilled to be a judge. This upcoming generation of young Canadians is passionate and full of ideas to make a difference in the world," said Jessi. "I have been privileged to meet many of these spirited individuals, and know how important it is that we embrace and encourage their ideas. Start Something with Alesse will help make some of these dreams a reality."

Making Money or Making Waves: New Contest Categories Invite More Creative Ideas

Now in its fourth year, Start Something with Alesse is raising the stakes and giving ambitious young Canadians an even bigger chance to transform their ideas into reality with two contest categories: Start Innovating with Alesse and Start Inspiring with Alesse.

The Start Innovating with Alesse category is for ideas for a for-profit endeavour. From a consulting business, to an online venture, to a new product, this category is for any innovative idea that has the potential to make money. The Start Inspiring with Alesse category invites ideas for a not-for-profit endeavour. This category is for creative, inspiring non-profit ideas, like charitable, community or personal projects.

Entries for the Start Something with Alesse contest will be accepted from August 28, 2013 until October 31, 2013 at 11:59:59 p.m. and are judged based on the criteria listed in the official Rules and Regulations located at http://startsomethingwithalesse.ca/.

Entering is easy - entrants simply submit a brief "elevator pitch" describing their idea at http://startsomethingwithalesse.ca/, and then the top 25 entrants from each category will be selected as semi-finalists and invited to submit more detail around their project. Of these, the top five Innovating finalists' and five Inspiring finalists' projects will be posted online on January 13, 2014. The two winners will be determined based on votes earned through online voting by the general public, from January 13, 2014 until February 24, 2014. Voting will be limited to one vote per person per day.

About Pfizer in Canada

Pfizer Canada Inc. is the Canadian operation of Pfizer Inc., one of the world's leading biopharmaceutical companies. Our diversified health care portfolio includes some of the world's best known and most prescribed medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer Canada employees work to bring therapies to patients that significantly improve their lives. The company is a major contributor to health research in Canada. We apply science and our global resources to improve the health and well-being of Canadians at every stage of life. Our commitment is reflected in everything Pfizer does, from our disease awareness initiatives to our community partnerships, to our belief that it takes more than medications to be truly healthy. To learn more about Pfizer's More than Medication philosophy and programs, visit www.morethanmedication.ca. To learn more about Pfizer Canada, visit www.pfizer.ca. 

__________________________________
¹CBC News. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/12/f-millennial-youth-unemployment.html. Accessed July 2013.
² Leger Marketing. Start Something with Alesse Survey. Fielded July 30 to August 17, 2012. 

SOURCE: Pfizer Canada Inc.

For further information:

For more information or for contest entry details, please contact: 

Julie-Catherine Racine
Corporate Communications
Pfizer Canada Inc.
1-866-9PFIZER
[e-mail] 

Ontario
Karley Ura
NATIONAL Public Relations
416-848-1425
[e-mail] 

Quebec
Anne-Sophie Laframboise
NATIONAL Public Relations
514-843-2063
[e-mail]

British Columbia
Lesley Chang
NATIONAL Public Relations
604-691-7394
[e-mail]