Lauren Friese is the founder of TalentEgg, which won ‘best expanding business’ in the CYBF’s 2012 Best Business Awards.
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Next generation of leaders
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) has announced the winners of its 2012 Best Business Awards, part of its Chairman's Awards program.
"These winning businesses are prime examples of how bright young entrepreneurs are building a better tomorrow while inspiring other young people to become the next generation of business leaders," the organization says in a press release.
The winners, who will be feted on Nov. 14, receive coaching, as well as access to resources, financing and mentoring. The cash award is $1,000 each, which will be followed by a competition for a grand prize of $20,000 toward expansion.
The winners are:
- Best innovative business: Avenir Medical Inc.
- Best green business: Growing City
- Best socially minded business: Oliberté Limited
- Best emerging business: Fiddleheads Kids Shop Inc.
- Best expanding business: TalentEgg Inc.
Hiring credit extended
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was at Ottawa bike store Joe Mamma on Thursday to announce that Bill C-45, the jobs and growth act, would extend a small business hiring credit, CBC is reporting. The Globe and Mail initially noted the extension back in March. Here's a link to the full text of the act, which also contains changes to public sector and MP pensions.
Tough times in France
Bankruptcy is treated as the ultimate disgrace in France, which can lay claim to the word entrepreneur but struggles with barriers to financing, in particular a lack of investment capital. A story from Reuters points out that France "has a fleet of established multinationals," while startups have a hard time gaining a foothold. Experts say job creation has been affected and that tax hikes in the country's 2013 budget will make the situation worse. "We shouldn't be weeping over old steel mills," entrepreneur Bruno Lo-Re says of the general consternation surrounding ArcelorMittal's decision to close two steel furnaces in Lorraine, "we should be weeping over the fact we don't have a French Google."
EVENTS AND KEY DATES
Are you one of The Next 36?
Final application deadline for The Next 36 is Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m. The program helps launch the careers of Canada's most promising and innovative undergraduates. Chosen participants are put through a national selection process, and are then provided with academic foundation, practical skills, role models and networks. Candidates should expect to be pushed out of their comfort zone, gain skills vital to entrepreneurs and nation builders and increase their expectations of themselves.
Silcon Valley pitch day
Six "hot Canadian companies" will make a pitch to a "no-holds barred" panel of Silicon Valley veterans on Oct. 25, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. The panel includes Katherine Barr (partner at Mohr Davidow), Catherine Courage (vice-president of product design at Citrix), Debbie Landa (CEO of Dealmaker Media), and Yen Lee (CEO of Uptake). The event takes place in Redwood City, Calif., and you can click here to register and to see the list of featured Canadian companies.
EDITOR'S PICKS FROM REPORT ON SMALL BUSINESS
The problem with 'stuffing the pipeline'
Stantec is one of many professional services companies – where careers typically depend on promotion – to recognize that diversity is profitable. Across Canada and the United States, businesses are hiring more diverse employees. But where the inclusion of women and visible minorities gets sticky is the pipeline to the top, as programs designed to promote inclusiveness face challenges.
FROM THE ROSB ARCHIVES
What they thought of the budget
Research tax credits, extension of a hiring credit, and promises to reform immigration and temporary foreign worker programs were noteworthy sections in the federal budget in March that were praised by small-business owners and advocates. Wallace Immen got some reaction.
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Sean Stanleigh