Nomination period now open for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2016 Awards
TORONTO, March 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Canada needs a jolt of entrepreneurial innovation to jumpstart its economy. Recognizing exceptional achievement is one way to nurture and grow our entrepreneurial culture, and EY is looking to do just that. Today, the firm announced nominations are now open across Canada for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ 2016 Awards.
"Canada boasts countless outstanding entrepreneurs who are accelerating growth and redefining their industries," says Colleen McMorrow, EY partner and national Entrepreneur Of The Year program director (@c_mcmorrow). "We need to do more to encourage, support and celebrate job creators in communities across the country. The more we recognize entrepreneurs, the more we share their stories and congratulate them on their achievements, the more we'll motivate others to act on their creative ideas and drive job growth."
EY wants YOU to nominate an innovator for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2016.
Why create an entrepreneurship culture?
- Nearly 60% of organizations of various sizes say that implementing innovation is their biggest challenge, according to EY's recent innovation study. Increasingly, all organizations look for innovative ideas outside their company walls and entrepreneurs could be the ones to deliver them.
- Entrepreneurs are proven job creators, rising above economic headwinds. According to the 2015 Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Survey, 50% of entrepreneurs in Canada are expected to increase their workforce in the next 12 months, versus only 4% of their corporate counterparts.
"We need to continue to build a stronger entrepreneurial culture in Canada," adds McMorrow. "Our goal with the Entrepreneur Of The Year program is to seek out the most interesting and inspiring innovators from all corners of the country and celebrate their work by telling their story across Canada and the world."
What award-winning entrepreneurs have to say
"This award validates the entire Geotab team's efforts developing a fleet management solution. We received congratulatory comments in person and online, and we are thrilled with how it has spread the word about our business. We are now connected with more leaders from across the country—and those relationships are helping to grow Geotab even further."
-- Neil Cawse, CEO, Geotab Inc. (Oakville, Ontario)
2015 Ontario Technology winner and the Ontario overall winner
"Getting this kind of recognition really gives our workplace culture a boost. It reinforces that I work with passionate, dedicated people who are excited about the brands we're building together. The Entrepreneur Of The Year award proves that harnessing a team's energy can result in achieving our goals and having fun while doing it."
-- Brian Scudamore, Founder & CEO 1-800-GOT-JUNK? (Vancouver, BC)
2015 Pacific Business-to-Consumer Products & Services winner
"The EOY program has paid huge dividends for our company. The process helped us hone in on our strategic goals while increasing our employee engagement. Being recognized by such a prestigious program provides validation to our entrepreneurial journey from start-up to multi-million dollar enterprise."
-- Jeff Nugent, President, Contingent Workforce Solutions (Calgary, AB)
2015 Prairies Business-to-Business Products & Services finalist
What to expect
Video: Colleen McMorrow explains what to expect during the Entrepreneur Of The Year nomination period and the program overall.
What's next?
The deadline to submit a nomination for the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs is 30 April 2016. Award winners are chosen by EY's independent panels of judges across industry sectors, based on their vision, entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, innovation, financial performance, personal integrity and influence, as well as community engagement. For more information about eligibility requirements and to nominate online, visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™
EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in 50 countries.
About EY's Strategic Growth Markets Network
EY's worldwide Strategic Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we've helped many of the world's most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. For more than 150 years in Canada, we've delivered the insights and quality services that help build trust and confidence in capital markets here and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.
For more information about the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada, #EOY
This year's national program sponsors are TEC Canada, RDI, La Presse, TSX/TSXV, Merrill DataSite, Kira Talent and The Printing House Limited.
EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.
SOURCE EY (Ernst & Young)
Sasha Anopina, [email protected], 416 943 2637; Julie Fournier, [email protected], 514 874 4308; Leigh Kjekstad, [email protected], 604 648 3807
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