Shopify to launch fifth annual Build A Business competition

Leading commerce platform Shopify is gearing up for its fifth annual Build A Business competition, which it touts as the world's biggest entrepreneurial contest encouraging anyone with a great business idea to start selling.



Once again, the company has partnered with successful entrepreneurs to help new and emerging stores launch and grow their businesses. In the past four years, the Build A Business competition has helped create more than 36,000 new businesses that have sold more than $180 million in products. Past winners include DODOcase, GoldieBlox, Coffee Joulies and Bolder Band, which have gone on to create multi-million dollar companies, according to Shopify.



To participate, entrepreneurs must open a store and start selling products using Shopify. At the end of the competition, the top five stores that sell the most in a two-month period will fly on a private jet to Richard Branson's Necker Island for a five-day adventure full of mentorship, exploration and professional growth.



This year's mentors include Sir Richard Branson (Virgin Group), Daymond John (FUBU, Shark Tank), Tim Ferriss (The 4-Hour Workweek), Marie Forleo (MarieTV) and Seth Godin (bestselling author).



"Over the years, I have witnessed thousands of people start and grow successful businesses using Shopify," said Tobias Lütke, CEO, Shopify. "Becoming an entrepreneur is a dream for many people and Build A Business provides the platform needed to kickstart business ideas into a reality. Providing mentorship along the way has proven to be an invaluable tool and this year, we've brought together an all-star team to provide the guidance needed for these businesses to succeed."



The Build A Business competition runs from Oct. 1 to May 31, 2015, with each of the mentors providing exclusive advice and guidance along the way.