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 citizensorpermanent residents and operate a Canadian business.[6] The application period, finalist selection and voting take place from mid-winter through mid-summer.[7]
