GoDaddy, the world’s largest cloud platform dedicated to small, independent ventures, is teaming up with larger-than-life Toronto basketball star, Jonas Valančiūnas, to launch the Itty Bitty Ballers program.

Affectionately known as JV to fans, Valančiūnas is one of the tallest players on the Raptors – the team’s top “big man” on the floor – so GoDaddy partnered with him to launch a mythical business called Itty Bitty Ballers that sells tiny JV figurines. To demonstrate how easy it is for small businesses to create their online presence, JV built his own website, IttyBittyBallers.ca, using GoDaddy’s professional website development tools and support.

GoDaddy tapped us, Selftraits, a loyal GoDaddy customer, to create the Itty Bitty Ballers. While Itty Bitty Ballers isn’t a real business, the figurines are, and all revenue from the sales go to charity, specifically MLSE Foundation, which seeks to improve the lives of youth through sport. These unique ballers are available for purchase, for a limited time, on IttyBittyBallers.ca.

GoDaddy and JV are also joining forces to help inspire Canadians to follow their passions by starting their own small businesses with a new contest called ‘Itty Bitty Ballers Contest for Small Businesses.’ With this contest, entrepreneurs will have the chance to win up to $5,000 in cash and $2,500 of GoDaddy services by answering the question: “What inspired your small business.”

The contest, which will award one winner, opens today and closes on February 20, 2017. For more details visit IttyBittyContest.ca.

“We’re always looking for ways to help small businesses get online and be successful,” said Jill Schoolenberg, Vice President and Country Manager of GoDaddy Canada. “That’s why we’re excited to partner with a basketball icon like Jonas Valančiūnas to help create this beautiful new website and bring awareness to the opportunities of small business ownership in Canada.”

“I’m excited to team up with GoDaddy Canada and launch Itty Bitty Ballers to encourage small businesses around Canada to create and enhance their online presence,” said Jonas Valančiūnas. “I can’t wait for Itty Bitty Ballers to become available to fans and also to support small businesses throughout the country.”

Contest entry details:

For a chance to win the ‘Itty Bitty Baller Contest for Small Businesses’ prize tell GoDaddy Canada what inspired your small business. Submit your answer at ittybittycontest.ca or leave a comment on one of our social media profiles. You can find us on Facebook at GoDaddy Canada or Toronto Raptors. Or connect with us on Instagram: @JValanciunas, @Raptors or @GoDaddyCanada. Full terms and conditions of the contest are available on: ittybittcontest.ca*