EY announces 2014 Atlantic Entrepreneur Of The Year(TM) finalists today

EY (Ernst & Young)

EY (Ernst & Young)

Survey finds Canadian entrepreneurs exceed global average for annual revenue growth

TORONTO, July 7, 2014 /CNW/ - EY is pleased to announce this year's gravity-defying Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists in the Atlantic.

"We're pleased to share the stories of another group of impressive Atlantic entrepreneurs," says Jim Lutes, EY's Atlantic Entrepreneur Of The Year program director. "These companies continue to defy the odds. They're breaking down barriers and building partnerships to compete globally."

Our research found that Canada's 2013 program finalists recorded average revenue growth of 37% annually. That's above the global average of 29% for developed countries. Seventy-four percent also have an international footprint.

"It's not just revenue growth that these companies are contributing, either," says Lutes. "Our survey results reveal last year's finalists created jobs at an average annual pace of 25% for their workforce. Now that's something to celebrate."

High-growth entrepreneurs create new markets and industries, contributing job growth in the economy. This year's 2014 Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists represent 2,200 jobs in Atlantic Canada. Together with all other finalists coast to coast, that number grows to nearly 37,000.

"Recognizing top talent from across the Atlantic — and Canada —is just one way we're working towards building a better working world where all entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to thrive," says Lutes.

Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates the contribution and spirit of entrepreneurs everywhere. The Canadian program is in its 21st year of honouring the country's most impressive entrepreneurs from all areas of business. Award finalists are chosen based on their vision, leadership, financial success and social responsibility.

The Atlantic winners will be announced at a gala on 3 October 2014. The overall Atlantic winner will represent the region at the national gala held in Toronto on 25 November.

The 2014 Atlantic finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year:

Business-to-Business Products and Services

Andy MacGregor, Glen MacGregor
MacGregors Industrial Group | New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
macgregors.ca
Provides solutions to manufacturing, energy, mining, forestry and construction industries and grown a loyal North American and export customer base over 35 years to become a world class organization that is a leader in our products and services.

Larry McConchie
McConchie Trucking Ltd. | Norton, New Brunswick
mcconchietrucking.ca
Specializes in the transportation of over-dimensional loads, including modular homes and modular units for residential and the commercial sectors.

Paul Antle
Pluto Investments Inc. | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
The private holding company of Paul Antle, Pluto has grown from a small investment in an environmental company into a large diversified portfolio.

Ed Hennessey, James MacDonald
Safety First-SFC Ltd. | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
safetyfirst-sfc.com
Involved in traffic control, small scale manufacturing, retail, product rental, property maintenance, real estate, line painting and providing safety courses throughout the Atlantic.

Business-to-Consumer Products and Services

Bonnie Cook
AbbyShot Clothiers | Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
abbyshot.com
Provides replica clothing to sci-fi and gaming communities in over 50 countries, partnering with media corporations such as BBC, 20th Century Fox, NBC and Universal.

David Pace
Overhead Door of Nova Scotia | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
ohdns.ca
Supply and install overhead doors and operators for residential and commercial use.

Amy Gordinier-Regan
Skinfix Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
skinfixinc.com
Makes all-natural, over-the-counter medicinal balms to treat skin conditions such as eczema, dermatitis and rashes.

Michael Whittaker
Trucorp Investments | Moncton, New Brunswick
trucorp.ca
Comprised of Bonte Foods, the region's largest processor of quality deli meats and Grinner's Food Systems, as well as the franchisor of three fast food brands: Greco Pizza, Capt Submarine and the newly launched Frozu frozen yogurt chain.

Emerging Entrepreneur

Stephen Jones
4Deep inwater imaging | Halifax, Nova Scotia
4-deep.com
Specializes in underwater microscopes that can image, count, size and characterize microorganisms in any body of water in real-time.

Marc Mansour
Immunovaccine Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
imvaccine.com
Develops cancer immunotherapies and infectious disease vaccines based on the DepoVax™ platform, a patented formulation that provides controlled and prolonged exposure of antigens and adjuvants to the immune system.

Lisa Walsh
Indigena Enterprises Inc. | Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
indigenaskincare.com
Makes all natural handmade skincare from indigenous ingredients from the land and surrounding sea.

David Alston, Robert Begg, Jody Glidden, Stewart Walchli
Introhive | Fredericton, New Brunswick
introhive.com
Solves the question of who knows who for businesses by using relationship analytics software to uncover the relationships a company has with customers and prospects.

Hospitality and Tourism

Mohamed Ali Mhalla
Blue Olive | Dieppe, New Brunswick
A food market offering exotic products from around the world, as well as a restaurant specializing in Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cuisine.

Ben Cowan-Dewar
Cabot Links Venture Inc. | Inverness, Nova Scotia
cabotlinks.com
Owns and operates Cabot Links, Canada's first and only true links golf course.

Brenda O'Reilly, Craig Flynn
YellowBelly Brewery & O'Reilly's Pub | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
yellowbellybrewery.com
YellowBelly Brewery is a craft brewery, located in a historic property and houses a pub, lounge, restaurant and catering facility. O'Reilly's Pub is an Irish Newfoundland Pub that specializes in local cuisine and features live music.

Information Technology

Steven Burns
Bulletproof Solutions | Fredericton, New Brunswick
bulletproofsi.com|
Offers Atlantic Canada and the Maritimes the type of world-class IT service professionals that would otherwise only be available to the very largest enterprises.

Cindy Roma, Sydney Ryan
Telelink | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
telelinkcallcentre.com
A leading provider of multi-channel 24/7 live safety and inbound customer support solutions to North America's energy sector.

Rachel Arseneau-Ferguson, Nathalie Levesque
Transmed | Campbellton, New Brunswick
centretransmed.ca
Offers medical transcription, translation and audit services in both English and French.

Jim Fitt
Velsoft | New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
velsoft.com
A global educational content company distributing training materials, eLearning and educational technologies to over 10,000 organizations in 164 countries world-wide.

Manufacturing

Paul Yeatman
GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
geospectrum.ca
Develops and produces hydro-acoustic devices.

Jeff LeDrew
Jumping Bean Coffee | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
jumpingbeancoffee.ca
A leader in sustainable, premium coffee and a multi-channel business with operations in retail, wholesale, franchise cafes and coffee roasting.

Terry Malley
Malley Industries Inc. | Dieppe, New Brunswick
malleyindustries.com
Manufactures specialty vehicles, including advanced life support ambulances, police and security vehicles, vehicles for persons with disabilities, and produces thermo-formed plastic products for automotive, aerospace and food industry industries.

Media and Entertainment

John Wesley Chisholm
Arcadia Entertainment Inc. | Halifax, Nova Scotia
arcadiatv.com
An independent TV content production company, operating with commissions for TV series and specials from National Geographic, Discovery Channels and other global broadcasters.

Ed Martin
Best Boy Entertainment — Group of companies | Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador
bestboy.ca
Develops and creates docu-drama TV, travel shows, children's television, serious social documentaries, film, children's educational games, and interactive web content.

Greg Hemmings
Hemmings House Pictures | Saint John, New Brunswick
hemmingshouse.com
Produces film, photographic, animation and audio content that creates authentic connections between companies and their customers.

Real estate/Construction

Ted Burden
Brook Construction | Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
brookconstruction.ca
A general contractor for commercial, industrial, and civil construction in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Robert Crosbie
Crosbie Group Limited | St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
crosbiegroup.com
Currently involved in offshore oil and gas services, onshore industrial services, real estate and construction.

Tamara Barker Watson
Whitestone Developments Limited | Lakeside, Nova Scotia
whitestonedevelopments.ca
A construction company that helps customers decrease their carbon footprint by building energy-efficient custom homes, some of which even produce more energy than they consume.

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, 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 145 cities in more than 60 countries.

The 2014 Atlantic judging panel consists of Philip Fraser, President and CEO, Killam Properties Inc.; Scott McCain, Chairman and CEO, Saint John Sea Dogs; Iris Petten, President, Petten Holdings Inc.; Robert Youden, Partner, Savarin Consulting Limited; and Jo Mark Zurel, President, Stonebridge Capital Inc.

For more information on the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.

For more information about our Entrepreneur Of The Year Atlantic awards gala on 3 October 2014, please contact Kathleen Potter at 506 634 2135 or [email protected].

Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYAtlantic.

This year's national program sponsors are National Post, La Presse, RDI, TEC Canada, Merrill DataSite, The Printing House Limited and Kira Talent. In the Atlantic region, Progress Magazine is the gold sponsor, RBC Financial Group and McInnes Cooper are patron sponsors.

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.

For more information, please visit ey.com/ca/Entrepreneurs.

EY was recently named 2014 Professional Services Organization of the Year by Startup Canada. 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.

About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets 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.

EY is proudly celebrating 150 years in Canada. For more information, please visit ey.com/ca. Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada.

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.

Video with caption: "Finalists weigh in: why programs like Entrepreneur Of The Year are important". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140707_C9848_VIDEO_EN_41968.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20140707_C9848_PHOTO_EN_41968.jpg&clientName=EY%20%28Ernst%20%26%20Young%29&caption=Finalists%20weigh%20in%3A%20why%20programs%20like%20Entrepreneur%20Of%20The%20Year%20are%20important&title=EY%20%28ERNST%20%26%20YOUNG%29%20%2D%20EY%20announces%202014%20Atlantic%20Entrepreneur%20Of%20The%20Year%28TM%29%20finalists%20today&headline=EY%20announces%202014%20Atlantic%20Entrepreneur%20Of%20The%20Year%28TM%29%20finalists%20today

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/07/07/20140707_C9848_DOC_EN_41974.pdf

SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)

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