The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is accepting applications for the 2013 edition of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award.
To win a $100,000 Grand Prize, entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 are invited to present a turning point their company has reached and the solution they propose to take their business to the next level. A second prize, consisting of $25,000 in consulting services, will be awarded to the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award runner-up. The deadline for submitting applications is April 2, 2013, at noon, Eastern Daylight Time.
“Showcasing and supporting Canada’s best business talent is an important aspect of our mandate,” says Michel Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs at BDC. “The BDC Young Entrepreneur Award is the premier venue to shine a spotlight on some of the challenges young business owners face today.”
The contest is open to all Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18-35 as of Dec. 31, 2012. Entrants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents responsible for the daily management of a Canada based business for at least two years as of December 31, 2012, and must hold at least 20 per cent of the company’s capital stock.
Applicants are asked to create a short video describing a turning point their business has reached and the solution that will help them achieve future growth. This video – which need not be professionally produced – should clearly explain the turning point solution, have good image and sound quality and be memorable. All entries have to describe a project that has yet to be implemented.
“All companies reach a turning point,” says Bergeron. “Some may choose to tap into new markets by implementing an internet strategy; others may decide to acquire new equipment that will increase their overall profitability. Recognizing challenges early on and having a plan to tackle individual turning points is important for business and should rank high on an entrepreneur’s agenda.”
“The value of participation goes beyond the monetary value of the award,” adds Bergeron. “The entire experience brings finalists tremendous exposure, public support, and access to people and resources that will ultimately help their companies grow. As impressive as the monetary awards may be, a better reason to compete is to get noticed by potential customers and investors.”
Applications must be filled out and submitted online at http://www.bdcyoungentrepreneuraward.ca/.
More information about 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award eligibility criteria, the application process, the rules and regulations and the format of the video submissions is available on the contest’s microsite.
About the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest:
Created by the Business Development Bank of Canada in 1988, the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest pays tribute to remarkable Canadian entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years of age.
Eleven finalists — one for each province and one for the combined territories — are short-listed to compete for a $100,000 Grand Prize. The winners are selected by public vote and a second prize of $25,000 in consulting services is awarded to the contest runner-up. The Financial Post and La Presse are the media partners of the 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award. www.bdc.ca/yea
