CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP Celebrating outstanding achievement in advancing entrepreneurship

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1 CELEBRATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP Celebrating outstanding achievement in advancing entrepreneurship APPLICATION FORM OVERVIEW Starting and growing a successful a company is a difficult task; entrepreneurs need a variety of elements to be successful including mentorship, encouragement, talented people, funding and a network of contacts. Startup Canada, as the voice of entrepreneurs, leads Canada s grassroots effort to build a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that will fuel economic prosperity. The Startup Canada Awards celebrate and distinguish the individuals, communities and institutions in Canada that have demonstrated innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement and impact in advancing Canadian entrepreneurship. The objectives of the awards are to: Celebrate those working to advance entrepreneurship in Canada; Increase awareness of the importance of strengthening Canada s entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture; and, Incent efforts and elevate ambitions of the Canadian entrepreneurial community. DEADLINE Please complete all fields below and submit the application by 5:00 pm EST on April 12, 2014 to awards@startupcan.ca. You will receive a confirmation upon receipt. CATEGORIES & CRITERIA The Startup Canada Awards are divided into three major categories: 1. Entrepreneurial impact by an organization, individual, group or community; 2. Organization-based awards; and, 3. Awards for individuals. 1

2 As this is the inaugural year for the Startup Canada Awards, categories and qualifications remain general in description so as to enable the widest possible recognition of the individuals, organizations and networks that demonstrate outstanding impact and achievement in the advancement of entrepreneurship in Canada. ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFECT AWARDS ENTREPRENEURIAL EFFECT AWARD Awarded to the program, tool, research project or event that has had the greatest impact in advancing entrepreneurship in Canada. STARTUP COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR Awarded to the official Startup Canada Community that has most successfully advanced their local entrepreneur community through both strengthening their local entrepreneurship ecosystem and culture as well as advancing Canada's entrepreneurship ecosystem through active engagement and contribution nationally. ORGANIZATION AWARDS MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL POST SECONDARY INSTITUTION Awarded to the college or university that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in advancing entrepreneurship through: Campus policy and leadership; Curriculum, programming, research and infrastructure (within and between faculties); Extra-curricular opportunities and student-engagement in entrepreneurial activities; IP policies and commercialization programs and activities; and / or, Private sector, entrepreneur, small business and startup community engagement and outreach. ANCHOR COMPANY OF THE YEAR Awarded to a large private sector firm that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in supporting and investing in entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities within their community and nation-wide through: Procurement, joint R&D and the sharing of data, expertise, networks and infrastructure; VC and M&A activities; Spin-out and spin-offs; and / or, Entrepreneur-focused CSR investments, sponsorships and startup community engagement. INCUBATOR OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian incubator that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide. ACCELERATOR OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian accelerator that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANY OF THE YEAR Awarded to a professional services firm - e.g. financial, legal, accounting, strategic consulting, etc. - that demonstrates the largest commitment and impact in supporting and investing in entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide through: Corporate commitment to entrepreneurship as a value and supporting entrepreneurs; No-fee or discounted products or services for entrepreneurs; Entrepreneur-focused CSR investments, sponsorships and startup community engagement; Startup-friendly procurement, programming, products, services and staff; and /or, VC, M&A and direct investment activities. 2

3 GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR Awarded to a municipal, provincial or federal government program, department, office, agency or entity that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide. NON-PROFIT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR Awarded to a non-profit organization that demonstrates both innovative approaches and the largest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally and nation-wide. INDIVIDUAL AWARDS ENTREPRENEURSHIP ECOSYSTEM BUILDER OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally and who has been a leading evangelist and champion of entrepreneurship, demonstrably contributing to more entrepreneurial attitudes, behaviors and activities. ENTREPRENEUR MENTOR OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian entrepreneur mentor who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally through no-cost mentorship of entrepreneurs as evidenced by their rate of growth. INVESTOR OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian investor who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally through a blend of monetary investment and mentorship. ENTREPRENEUR EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian educator who has: Demonstrated excellence in educating, empowering and equipping entrepreneurship students with the attitudes, skills, experiential learning opportunities and networks needed to pursue successful entrepreneurial ventures; Made a significant impact in both fostering student-led entrepreneurship initiatives and motivating senior campus leadership to adopt entrepreneurial policies and priorities; and / or, Engaged actively in the local startup community through bringing students into the community and bringing the community onto the campus. MEDIA PERSON OF THE YEAR Awarded to a Canadian media person who has: Demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing public awareness about entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial issues and / or Leveraged their public voice to champion entrepreneurship through the media and through their community service. YOUNGEST ENTREPRENEUR AWARD The Youngest Entrepreneur Award is a celebration of youth entrepreneurship - reminding us of the importance of cultivating entrepreneurial awareness and acumen both at home and through early education to fuel the next generation of Canada's great entrepreneurs. The prize will be awarded to the youngest Canadian who has started and grown a sustainable and growing business in any sector. The business must have been in operation for more than one year. THIRD-AGE ENTREPRENEUR AWARD In celebration and recognition of the boom in olderpreneurs, the Third-Age Entrepreneur Award reminds us that you are never too old to follow your heart, pursue your dreams and become an entrepreneur. This award is given to a Canadian who has started a business after the age of 60 and has grown it into a sustainable and promising venture in any sector. The business must have been in operation for more than one year. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Awarded to a Canadian who has demonstrated the greatest impact in advancing the success of entrepreneurs, startups, startup communities and entrepreneurial activities locally, regionally and / or nationally throughout their lifetime. 3

4 APPLICATION FORM Please complete all fields below and submit the application by 5:00 pm EST on April 12, 2014 to You will receive a confirmation upon receipt. A. Award Please indicate below the award and / or awards you are applying for. Entrepreneurial Effect Award Most Entrepreneurial Post-Secondary Institution Incubator of the Year Professional Services Company of the Year Non-Profit Support Organization of the Year Entrepreneur Mentor of the Year Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year Youngest Entrepreneur Award Lifetime Achievement Award Startup Community of the Year Anchor Company of the Year Accelerator of the Year Government Organization of the Year Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builder of the Year Investor of the Year Media Person of the Year Third-Age Entrepreneur Award B. Applicant Information First Name Last Name Title Organization Status Phone Twitter Please attach a high-resolution photo of the individual or a logo of the organization or group applying for a 2014 Startup Canada Award by upon submission. Please note that proof of Canadian citizenship will be required. C. Information on the Individual, Organization or Group Applicant Name Address City Postal Code 4

5 Province Website Please provide a 250-word overview introducing the applicant, their impact in advancing entrepreneurship, speaking directly to how they fulfill the Award Criteria for their category. Note that this copy could be used for website, press and script publication. Input here. D. Impact and Evidence in Advancing Entrepreneurship Please provide a detailed description of the applicant, how the applicant meets the award criteria and provide qualitative and quantitative detail on the impact of the applicant on advancing entrepreneurship according to the award criteria. Use a maximum of 1500 words. Evidence of the assertions should be included either through sharing of website and video links or included as a separate attachment. Evidence can include media articles, websites, awards or other independent verification of the assertions given below. Input here. 5

6 E. Recommendations Please enclose up to three letters of recommendation from beneficiaries and / or community stakeholders of the applicant s entrepreneurial effect that detail the impact of the applicant on advancing entrepreneurship, leveraging concrete examples and / or quantitative evidence. Letters of recommendation should clearly substantiate and give evidence to the impact of the applicant and must be made on letterhead, signed and sent as a PDF document along with the entire application package. Name, Position and Organization of Referee # 1 Name, Position and Organization of Referee # 2 Name, Position and Organization of Referee # 3 F. Check List Please the following documents as a single to Awards@startupcan.ca by April 12, 2014 at 5.00 PM EST with all documents appended to a single . Documents will not be accepted within separate s. Complete application form High resolution headshot and / or logo of the applicant Substantiating and supporting materials Maximum of three letters of reference on letterhead and signed by the referee E. Check List Please sign by way of typing your name and date this document to confirm that all the information that you entered is accurate to the best of your knowledge. Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a confirmation message and applicant number. If you do not receive this message, please contact us. Please enter your name below. Year / Month / Day 6