BDC Young Entrepreneur Award

The BDC Young Entrepreneur Award (YEA; French Prix jeune entrepreneur BDC) is a contest organized by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)[1] to promote youth entrepreneurship across Canada and encourage public support for it. BDC has organized the contest for business owners aged 18 to 35 since 1988 (36 years ago) (1988).[2]

The format of the contest changed in 2012, when for the first time finalists competed online for a $100,000 grand prize and a second prize of $25,000 in consulting services.[3]

To enter the YEA competition, applicants have to fill out an online form and submit a short video (1 to 2 minutes) in which they explain a turning point their business is facing and the solution that will take their company to the next level.[4]

Up to 11 finalists are selected by regional selection committees across Canada. The winner and the runner-up are then determined by a public vote combined with a score attributed to each finalist by a national committee.[5] The grand prize is to be used by the winning entrepreneur to implement his or her project.

Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents and operate a Canadian business.[6] The application period, finalist selection and voting take place from mid-winter through mid-summer.[7]

Winners of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award

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2015[8]

100,000 BDC Grand Prize

  • Chris Cowper-Smith and Bob Garrish - Spring Loaded Technology (Nova Scotia)

Second prize ($25,000 in consulting services)

  • Melissa Butler - Real Food Market (Newfoundland and Labrador)

2014[9]

100,000 BDC Grand Prize

  • Shep Ysselstein - Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese (Woodstock, Ontario)

Second prize ($25,000 in consulting services)

  • Toni Desrosiers - Abeego Design (Victoria, B.C.)

2013[10]

100,000 BDC Grand Prize

  • Joel Pinel - WOW Factor Media (Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan)

Second prize ($25,000 in consulting services)

  • Max Jenke - Endeavor Design (Vancouver, B.C.)

2012[11]

$100,000 BDC Grand Prize

  • Zane Kelsall - Two if By Sea Café (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Second prize ($25,000 in consulting services)

  • Mike Miltimore – Lee's Music (Kamloops, B.C.)

References

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