Rock the vote for Manitoba finalist in quest for $100,000 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award grand prize - Deena Caplette set to make Kid City Inc. a top Winnipeg destination

WINNIPEG, May 22, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) announced today that the turning point project, "Kid City", submitted by local businesswoman Deena Caplette, will represent Manitoba in the finals of the 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award.

Deena's project aims to raise awareness of her company's recently opened second location and introduce an innovative activity to both playground centres. To score big and win the $100,000 grand prize, Deena needs Canadians to throw their support behind her project, and vote to help her keep Manitoba families active and entertained!

Deena plans to start a marketing campaign to spread the word to Winnipeg and beyond about Kid City's second location. To continue to appeal to children aged one to 12, she'll introduce an intuitive, interactive playground system. By increasing traffic to both locations, she will keep entrance fees affordable for families of all economic backgrounds. "New equipment and activities will keep my customers engaged and wanting to return for more Kid City fun," says Deena. "My business will grow and remain competitively priced."

Never one to take "no" for an answer, Deena won a hockey scholarship to Yale and became the first member of her family to attend university. Returning to Winnipeg after graduation, she gave up a secure job to follow her dream of becoming an entrepreneur and set about opening the city's premier indoor playground. She turned Kid City into a popular destination for families, daycares, schools, and birthday party guests, exceeding even her own most optimistic predictions.

Deena aims to keep improving Kid City's reputation as a centre that helps kids stay active, especially during the long winters. "For me, it's about making a positive difference in my community," says Deena, who also fundraises for local children's charities. "I strive every day to create lasting memories for families."

"All the finalists competing for the 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award presented sound turning point solutions that could provide a solid springboard for future growth and success," says Michel Bergeron, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Public Affairs at BDC. "Through sheer drive and determination, Deena has made her dream a reality and is set to keep taking it forward."

"There's nothing better than seeing how happy our young customers are when they come to Kid City," says Deena. "That's what inspires me. Now, I want to inspire Canadians to vote for my project. Help us make Kid City grow and continue to provide more kids with an affordable, fun way to stay fit!"

Voting for the 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest runs from May 22 to June 11. To support your favourite project, log into the contest microsite and vote once a day. Follow the contest through updates on Facebook at "BDC Entrepreneur", Twitter at @BDC_News and LinkedIn. The BDC Young Entrepreneur Award winner and runner-up will be announced on June 17. The runner-up will receive $25,000 in consulting services.

About the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest
Created by the Business Development Bank of Canada in 1988, the BDC Young Entrepreneur Award contest pays tribute to remarkable Canadian entrepreneurs between 18 and 35 years of age. Nine finalists were short-listed to compete for a $100,000 grand prize. The winner will be selected by public vote and the contest runner-up will receive a second prize of $25,000 in consulting services.  The Financial Post and La Presse are the media partners of the 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award. www.bdc.ca/yea

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, securitization and consulting services to more than 28,000 small and medium-sized companies. Their success is vital to Canada's economic prosperity. www.bdc.ca

SOURCE: Business Development Bank of Canada

Maria Constantinescu
Senior Advisor, Public Relations
Business Development Bank of Canada
[phone]
[email protected]