THUNDER BAY – Business – If you’re a young business owner looking for resources to finance your company’s growth, here is a contest for you. The Business Development Bank of Canada are accepting applications for the 2013 edition of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award. Canadian business owners aged 18 to 35 now have a chance to win a$100,000 Grand Prize and a second prize of $25,000 in consulting services.
Boosting entrepreneurship in Northwestern Ontario is a a goal of several groups, including the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre, and the Community Economic Development Corporation.
BDC Young Entrepreneur Award
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.”
[sws_pullquote_right] Showcasing and supporting Canada’s best business talent is an important aspect of our mandate [/sws_pullquote_right] The contest is open to all Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 as of December 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% 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.
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