TIMMINS – Zak Brunet is just finishing Grade 5 at Timmins Centennial Public School, but he already has big business plans and $3,000 in startup funding to help make them happen.
The 11-year-old entrepreneur is the youngest recipient of funding from the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Region 3’s inaugural business pitch competition, where he impressed a panel of judges with his proposal to launch a 3D printing company called Printy McPrintface.
“I saw a 3D printing video on YouTube when I got home from school, and I wanted to make money,” Zak told TimminsToday.
His love of problem-solving and creativity made 3D printing the perfect fit.
“You get to turn cool ideas into real things,” he said.
As for the name of his business, he wanted it to be funny.
Zak’s pitch stood out among submissions from 10 applicants, with five finalists selected to present to a judging panel made up of representatives from the Northern Ontario Angels, The Venture Centre, and the MNO provincial office.
While the $10,000 grand prize went to Cochrane-based home décor company Déco Véro, Zak’s idea earned him a special recognition. It was an “amazing” moment for the young entrepreneur.
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“It was such a good feeling,” Zak said. “I’ve never held a cheque that big.”
The money will be used to buy everything he needs to launch the business this summer, including a Bambu Lab 3D printer, filament, an iPad Pro, software and apps, and office supplies.
Zak has already outlined his starting product line: fidget spinners ($10), dog tags ($7), and TV remote holders ($8), with plans to expand as he gains experience.
The competition experience was nerve-wracking at first.
“It was scary. Until it was over, I was terrified,” he said. “I thought there was going to be three judges, and just them, but there was a bunch of people too.”
His father, Danny Brunet, was there to watch him pitch and couldn’t have been prouder.
“It was awesome. He did such a good job,” said Danny.
“He practiced lots. He knew what he was talking about and he looked very comfortable speaking in front of them. And everybody in the room really liked it.”
Danny said Zak first had to submit a video pitch before being invited to present his business idea in front of the judges.
“They were really excited to hear his video and all that, and then he got accepted to go talk to the panel of judges,” he said.
“And then they did a special thing for him, because he was a kid. He was the only kid, and they gave him the $3,000.”
Zak has long shown entrepreneurial spirit, his dad said, recalling lemonade stands where Zak insisted on donating half the profits to charity. His interest in 3D printing began about a year ago after seeing his uncle use one for work.
Now, with community support and a business plan in hand, Zak is getting ready to launch Printy McPrintface both online and at local craft shows.
His advice for other kids thinking of starting a business is simple: “Just keep trying,” Zak said.
The MNO said they hope to run the business pitch competition annually to foster pride in Métis entrepreneurship in the north.