Diageo Canada and Business in the Streets (BITS) expand partnership to empower and fund entrepreneurs across Ontario
ONTARIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium drinks company Diageo Canada and non-profit organization Business in the Streets (BITS) have expanded their partnership to provide underserved young entrepreneurs and small businesses in Ontario funding opportunities through the Bold Spirits Awards. This new series of grants are designed to provide critical startup funding to graduates of the BITS program, removing financial barriers and helping business owners transform their ideas into thriving ventures.
This initiative builds on a successful three-year partnership between BITS and Diageo Canada that has already supported over 1,200 aspiring entrepreneurs in Toronto and Ottawa by providing them with the training and resources necessary to bring their ideas to life and create their own employment opportunities – this includes incorporating Learning Skills for Life, a Diageo global flagship training program for entrepreneurs and hospitality professionals. In Canada, the Learning Skills for Life curriculum equips participants with essential skills like budgeting, leadership, communication, and teamwork.
' Since 2022, Diageo Canada has been an enthusiastic and vital partner of our work to offer business training, mentorship, funding and ongoing business support to underrepresented young people across Ontario,' said Kyle Monczak, Executive Director of Business in the Streets. ' The Bold Spirits Awards provides an opportunity to recognize the often unseen contributions young entrepreneurs are making every day to improve their lives and benefit Canadian society. Diageo's support will enable these early entrepreneurs to build on their progress and provide the resources they need to grow into successful businesses. '
' We're passionate about further supporting innovative initiatives that help break down barriers for ambitious individuals in underrepresented communities across Ontario,' said Jodi Rumble, General Manager, Diageo Canada. ' Our partnership with BITS and the launch of the Bold Spirits Awards is our way to celebrate entrepreneurship and represents a vote of confidence in the next generation of business innovators.'
The program's success is evident in the achievements of BITS alumni, many of whom credit the combination of mentorship, skills training, and financial resources as key to their growth.
" This program changed the game for me. I learned so much and my business has been flourishing since graduating from the program," said Rachel Perera, 2024 Alumni of the program.
Eligible businesses in the Bold Spirits Awards will participate in four categories and, after a selection process based on their business journey, four entrepreneurs will be selected to receive CAD$5,000 in grants. To learn more about the new grant and the application process, visit Bold Spirit Awards — Business in the Streets. To learn more about Diageo's Learning Skills for Life program visit: Diageo Bar Academy | Registration
About Diageo North America
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodka, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray, and Guinness.
Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practices. Follow on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA.
Business in the Streets (BITS) is a Canadian charity dedicated to providing underrepresented young people with access to top-tier business training, mentorship, and funding. BITS empowers young entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses, fostering a more inclusive economy and society.
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To participate in or listen to the call, please dial the appropriate number: Toll Free - North America: (+1) 800 717 1738 Conference ID Number: 21262 About Currency Exchange International, Corp. Currency Exchange International is in the business of providing comprehensive foreign exchange technology and processing services for banks, credit unions, businesses, and consumers in the United States and select clients globally. Primary products and services include the exchange of foreign currencies, wire transfer payments, Global EFTs, and foreign cheque clearing. Wholesale customers are served through its proprietary FX software applications delivered on its web-based interface, ('CXIFX'), its related APIs with core banking platforms, and through personal relationship managers. Consumers are served through Group-owned retail branches, agent retail branches, and its e-commerce platform, ('OnlineFX'). Contact Information For further information please contact: Bill MitoulasInvestor Relations(416) 479-9547Email: KEY PERFORMANCE AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES The Group measures and evaluates its performance, as presented in this document, using a number of financial metrics and measures, such as adjusted net income, which do not have standardized meanings under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and may not be comparable to other companies. The Group's management believes that these measures are more reflective of its operating results and provide the readers of this document with a better understanding of management's perspective on the performance. These measures enhance the comparability of our financial performance for the current year with the corresponding period in the prior year. For further information, including a reconciliation, refer to key performance and non-GAAP financial measures in the MD&A. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release includes forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This forward-looking information includes, or may be based upon, estimates, forecasts, and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, demand and market outlook for wholesale and retail foreign currency exchange products and services, future growth, the timing and scale of future business plans, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Forward-looking statements are identified by the use of terms and phrases such as 'anticipate', 'believe', 'could', 'estimate', 'expect', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'predict', 'preliminary', 'project', 'will', 'would', and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date such information is provided, and on information available to management at such time. Forward-looking information involves significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause the Group's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in such forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking information due to a number of factors including, without limitation, the competitive nature of the foreign exchange industry; evolving worldwide geopolitical developments and pandemics including COVID-19 all of which may continue to have a material adverse effect on global economic activity, and may continue to result in volatility and disruption to global supply chains, operations, mobility of people and the financial markets which impact personal and business travel, tourism and factors relevant to the Group's business; global economic deterioration negatively impacting tourism in general; currency exchange risks, the need for the Group to manage its planned growth, the effects of product development and the need for continued technological change, protection of the Group's proprietary rights, the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Group and the industry in which it operates, network security risks, the ability of the Group to maintain properly working systems, theft and risk of physical harm to personnel, reliance on key management personnel; volatile securities markets impacting security pricing in a manner unrelated to operating performance and impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital as well as the factors identified throughout this press release and in the section entitled 'Risks and Uncertainties' of the Group's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three and six-month periods ended April 30, 2025 and 2024. Forward-looking information contained in this press release represents management's expectations as of the date hereof (or as of the date such information is otherwise stated to be presented) and is subject to change after such date. The Group disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws. The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this press release. 1 These are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios and are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, they are based on management-determined non-recurring items. For further information, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section on page 4 of this document. 2 These are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios and are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, they are based on management-determined non-recurring items. For further information, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section on page 4 of this document.3 These adjusted results are non-GAAP financial measures and ratios and are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, they are based on management-determined non-recurring items. For further information, refer to the key performance and non-GAAP financial measures section on page 4 of this in to access your portfolio
