Arctic fitness to compete for $100,000 BDC Grand Prize for Innovation - Fit 2 the T seeks to extend life-changing wellness benefits to remote communities

YELLOWKNIFE, NW, May 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Canadians can now vote online for "Arctic Fitness", the innovation project proposed by Fit 2 the T, one of eight finalists competing for the $100,000 Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) Grand Prize for Innovation.

Founded in 2008, Fit 2 the T began providing personal training in Yellowknife for a handful of people and pioneered Zumba instruction in Canada's North. To keep up with surging demand, the one-person operation transitioned from one-on-one training to large group fitness classes, where participation has soared to some 600 students a week.

Fit 2 the T owner, Tara Newbigging, wants to use that success to build a strong Web presence and bring the same life-changing wellness benefits to other remote northern communities. As well as offering in-person visits to kick-start fitness events in small towns, she would provide access to online services and tools, including video and live streaming that would allow people to join live classes via Skype.

"Fit 2 the T can also use technology to diversify, with new offerings to benefit existing clients and new revenue streams to build sustainability," says Newbigging.

"I would like to congratulate Tara for bringing her project to the finals of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest," says Michel Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs at BDC. "It is now up to Canadians to choose which project will come to life in the following year.  Every vote counts towards the Grand Prize!"

"This project is very close to my heart and it can make a real difference for many people in communities where opportunities to make healthy changes are few," says Newbigging. "I love getting up every day and making people feel better, but one person can only do so much."

"All the finalists competing for the Grand Prize for Innovation have projects with a solid potential to generate growth and prosperity. The eight finalists have proven that they have ability to run a successful business and to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industries," adds Bergeron.

Voting for the 2012 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest runs from May 30 to June 19 and the general public can vote once a day.  To support your favourite innovation project, log in to the dedicated microsite or vote directly on Facebook at BDC Entrepreneur.  Frequent contest updates will be posted on Facebook, Twitter at @BDC_News and LinkedIn.  The BDC Young Entrepreneur Award winner and runner up will be announced on June 25.

About the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest
Created by the Business Development Bank of Canada in 1988, the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest pays tribute to successful Canadian entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years of age.  For the first time in 2012, the contest will see finalists competing for the BDC Grand Prize for Innovation which will award $100,000 to one young Canadian entrepreneur to carry out a specific innovation project. The Financial Post is the exclusive media partner of the BDC 2012 Young Entrepreneur Award.  The contest is sponsored by Les Affaires.

About BDC
Canada's business development bank, BDC, puts entrepreneurs first.  With almost 1,900 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital and consulting services to 29,000 small and medium-sized companies.  Their success is vital to Canada's economic prosperity.

Maria Constantinescu
Advisor, Public Relations, BDC
514 496-7146
[email protected]