BDC launches four new awards to recognize the entrepreneurs who are building Canada's future

Call for entries begins today for the BDC Mentorship Award presented by CYBF

MONTREAL and TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) today announced the launch of four new awards that will promote and recognize Canadian entrepreneurs in four key areas: mentorship, innovation, resiliency and serial entrepreneurship. These awards are in addition to the 2014 edition of the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award, a contest where 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.

"By dedicating time, energy and advice to young or new entrepreneurs, mentors play an integral role in ensuring the success of the next generation of Canadian entrepreneurs," said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism). "Economic Action Plan 2013 set out a series of awards to recognize the contribution Canadian entrepreneurs make to our economy and our communities, while inspiring Canadians to innovate, create jobs and spur economic growth."

NOMINATE A MENTOR TODAY FOR THE 2014 BDC MENTORSHIP AWARD

The first of the four award categories - mentorship - is now open for nominations. Developed in partnership with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), the BDC Mentorship Award will recognize a Canadian business mentor credited by their peers for having provided valuable advice and support, through a significant commitment of time and effort that has led to the creation and growth of Canadian companies by building their mentees' professional skills and abilities.

CYBF helps close to 800 young Canadian launch businesses in all sectors and industries every year, providing pre-launch coaching, online business resources, financing and mentoring to be successful. "Great mentors provide invaluable advice, cultivate confidence, and become strong advocates for entrepreneurs' business and success. We are delighted to be partnering with BDC and the Government of Canada to recognize their support with this award," said Julia Deans, CEO, CYBF. "We sincerely hope this new award will raise awareness about the importance of mentorship and help connect even more young entrepreneurs with the invaluable support and encouragement they need to grow."

Eligibility criteria and nomination documents can be found via www.bdc.ca/awards or directly on the CYBF website at www.cybf.ca/bdcmentorshipaward. The nomination period will be open until March 1, 2014. The winner, to be announced in May, will be recognized at CYBF's Action Entrepreneurship: Growing Young Enterprise Canadian Summit in Toronto.

The other awards, to be launched in the coming weeks, include:

• The BDC Innovation Award, offered in partnership with Canada's Venture Capital Association (CVCA), recognizes a Canadian early-stage company that has demonstrated the ability to innovate or reshape their industry in exciting and previously unforeseen ways. Nominations open in mid-February 2014.
  
  
• The BDC Entrepreneurial Resiliency Award, offered in partnership with the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), recognizes spectacular turnarounds of businesses or entrepreneurs that demonstrate recovery from failure in a way that is bold and inspiring to other businesses that may be facing similar challenges. Nominations open in mid-March 2014.
  
  
• The BDC Entrepreneurship Champion distinction recognizes a Canadian entrepreneur who has created and grown many successful businesses over the years, making a substantial contribution to the prosperity of the Canadian economy. The 2014 BDC Entrepreneurship Champion will be announced in October during the 2014 edition of BDC Small Business Week.

Additional details will be made available at bdc.ca/awards, and look for regular announcements on Twitter (@BDC_News & @BDC_VC) and BDC Entrepreneur on Facebook.

About BDC
Canada's business development bank, BDC, puts entrepreneurs first. With almost 2,000 employees and more than 100 business centres across the country, BDC offers financing, subordinate financing, venture capital and consulting services to more than 28,000 small and medium-sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada's economic prosperity.

About the Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing Canada's economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character, not collateral, when providing youth aged 18-39 with pre-launch coaching, business resources, low-interest financing of up to $15,000, and industry-leading mentoring to help them launch and sustain successful businesses. CYBF's co-financing partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, leverages CYBF's application process to provide up to $30,000 in additional support for CYBF entrepreneurs.

Established in 1996, CYBF has been recognized as a global leader in advancing youth entrepreneurship. CYBF is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance, the Canadian member of The Prince's Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week. www.cybf.ca. @CYBFCanada.

SOURCE: Business Development Bank of Canada