Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/318918
BIZ 'peg MAY 2014 | 13 IT'S THE ULTIMATE FIELD TRIP FOR THE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR. T he Start-Up Bus Crawl connects post-secondary students with business leaders and innovation organizations across the city. The second-annual event took place in March when 80 students boarded two buses to tour entrepreneur- friendly hot spots, followed by a wine-and-cheese networking event. Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Manitoba president Mohammad Almaleki organized the tour to include business incubators such as Ramp Up Manitoba and The Eureka Project. "It's an opportunity to learn from, network with and be inspired by incredible business leaders that are making Winnipeg a more innovative place to live," says Almaleki, a second-year student at the Asper School of Business. "One of the most beautiful things about the start-up community here in Winnipeg is that we all have each other's backs. We believe in co-operating with one another instead of competing with one another. We're very fortunate to live in Winnipeg where the entrepreneurship community is so great." This year's event showcased the success of more than 20 business leaders and organizations. "The business leaders have an opportunity to share their stories of how they got involved in entrepreneurship and what their business does," Almaleki says. "The students get an opportunity to hear about different industries that they wouldn't otherwise get to learn from. It also creates an opportunity to network." Featured speakers included entrepreneurs from equipment-leasing giant National Leasing, food-delivery service SkipTheDishes and social media agency Dash. 2013 Asper School of Business grad Nick Danzinger told the students how he was inspired to launch custom phone case company DigiPlus after participating in the crawl last year. Driven to succeed: Entrepreneur Nick Danzinger (left) and CEO Manitoba president Mohammad Almaleki are pro bus.Photo by Darcy Finley "One of the most beautiful things about the start-up community here in Winnipeg is that we all have each other's backs." { { continued >>