Bennington County Intrapreneur Challenge: Application Deadline Extended

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Lever is expanding its Challenge programming with the new Bennington Intrapreneur Challenge, which will award $25,000 to an established Bennington County company with an innovative idea designed to grow revenue. 
 
Lever's Intrapreneur Challenges are built for employees within established companies who are "innovating from within," using entrepreneurial methods on ideas that create new revenue streams. The Bennington Intrapreneur Challenge is open to any Bennington County company with more than $500K in annual revenue; proposed innovations must be aimed at growing revenue, not reducing costs. 
 
 The deadline to apply is December 10. Apply at https://leverinc.org/bennington-intrapreneur-challenge-2021.
 
Representatives from participating companies will attend a series of workshops around topics like finance and marketing for their ideas, and will work with a group of mentors to refine their strategies and pitches. The Challenge will culminate with a final pitch event in March 2021, where a panel of expert judges will declare one $25,000 winner. Mentors are John Antonucci of LaunchVT; Michael Cushman, formerly at St. Gobain and now retired; Shari Siegel of Ranieri Partners; and Jeffrey Thomas, Lever's Executive Director.
 
 "It's exciting to bring Lever's Challenge programs to Bennington County," said Thomas. Our Berkshire County Intrapreneur Challenges have helped a dozen companies to generate millions in aggregate revenues. We expect a similar impact in Bennington County.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner: Odie at Second Chance

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

ARLINGTON, VT — There is a sweet Beagle boy waiting for his new family to play with.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home. 

Odie is a four year old Beagle who has been at the shelter for about a month.

Lead canine care technician Alaura Lasher introduced us to him. 

"He came to us with another beagle friend because his previous owner was moving. As you can see he's a very loving, sweet, sweet boy. He loves his toys and he loves to snuggle. He also loves going outside and running and rolling in all the grass, frolicking along the grass." 

Odie loves his stuffies and will even play with other dogs once he isn't shy.

"He does well with other dogs. He can be a little nervous at first meeting other pups, but he does do well with them. We think he'll get along with cats just fine, and kids too, as long as they're respectful."

He would love someone who will cuddle him and give him all of the pets he deserves and throw some stuffed toys around for him.

"The perfect home is honestly just someone who wants to give him snuggles and play with him. He's a pretty easygoing dude. He really just loves affection. Like he'll just come up to you and stand and wait for pets all the time. So, someone who wants a snuggle buddy, who's also you know he's a good age for a snuggle buddy, but also can play with him quite a bit."

He would also love someone who will take him outside to roll around and run as fast as he can or a long walk to enjoy some more sights he has yet to see.

"His favorite things again: toys, snuggles, kisses. Favorite activities are just going outside for walks. He loves to go for long walks with some of our volunteers."

He does not know basic commands like sit but he is very happy to learn.

While he did come to the shelter with some medical needs he is getting them treated and is healthy and ready for his new family.

"He came in and he was positive for Lyme and anaplasmosis, but we are treating him currently for that. Other than that, as far as we're aware, he's a pretty healthy, young boy."

If you need or want a new companion in your home consider meeting Odie.

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