BDC Searching for Canada's Top Young Entrepreneurs

19 March 2001 - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) launches extensive search for the best entrepreneurs in Canada.

This year's BDC Young Entrepreneur Awards are organized under the theme of "Dare to succeed" and recognize the achievements of young entrepreneurs aged between 19 and 30. Awards will be given to 13 companies - one from each province and territory. They will be presented at an awards ceremony to be held in Edmonton during October at the start of BDC's Small Business Week. One of the 13 winners will also be presented the "Export Achievement Award" sponsored by the Export Development Corporation.

Applicants will be judged on:

* Operating success over a 3-year period - to include sales, profitability, growth prospects, employment creation and acceptance in the market place;
* New Economy - their involvement in new economy activities;
* Innovation - in the company's product, service, production process, marketing strategy, or other aspect of business;
* Export - importance of exporting in the company, growth in exports, diversity of export markets, quality of export strategy;
* Community involvement - participation of the entrepreneur in charitable work, service clubs and raising the awareness of entrepreneurship.

Other issues to be considered include:

- entrepreneur's age at start-up
- unique problems or challenges the company faced and overcame
- longevity of the business

Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges made up of local businesses people, members of boards of trade and chambers of commerce, business professionals, representatives from the Export Development Corporation and officials from BDC.

How to apply

Young entrepreneurs may nominate themselves, or be nominated by others. Application forms can be picked up at any BDC branch, or by calling toll-free 1 888 INFO-BDC. Entrepreneurs may also access BDC's web site at www.bdc.ca. Deadline for applications: June 8, 2001.

Winners will get national recognition and will be matched with a business leader in a year-long mentoring process. They also receive a trophy and an all-expense paid trip to the awards ceremony.