Survey finds Canadian entrepreneurs exceed global average for annual revenue growth
VANCOUVER, July 7, 2014 /CNW/ - EY is pleased to announce this year's gravity-defying Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists in the Pacific.
"The future of entrepreneurship in Canada — and here in British Columbia — is brighter than ever," says Lui Petrollini, EY's Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year program director. "Our Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists defy the odds, and the impossible, to reach new heights — for themselves, and their country."
That's something that appears in EY research time and time again. In a new survey, EY found that Canada's 2013 program finalists recorded average revenue growth of 37% year over year in 2012. That's above the global average of 29% for developed countries. Seventy-four percent also have an international footprint — compared to 41% in Australia.
"Our finalists continue to achieve incredible economic growth and make a name for Canada on the world stage," says Petrollini. "But it's their role in job creation that really makes us proud. Our survey shows that last year's finalists created jobs at an average pace of 25% in 2012."
High-growth entrepreneurs create new markets and industries, contributing job growth in the economy. This year's 2014 Entrepreneur Of The Year finalists in Pacific represent close to 5,000 jobs in Canada. Together with all other finalists coast to coast, that number grows to 37,000.
"We're pleased to celebrate another group of inspiring local business leaders this year," says Petrollini. "Sharing their success stories is just one way we can work together to motivate the next generation and strengthen Canada's entrepreneurial community."
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 Pacific winners will be announced at a gala on 30 September 2014. The overall Pacific winner will represent the region at the national gala held in Toronto on 25 November.
The 2014 Pacific finalists for Entrepreneur Of The Year:
Business-to-Business Products and Services
Thomas Leavitt
Leavitt Machinery | Langley
leavittmachinery.com
Provides sales, rental, servicing and operator/safety training of new and used material-handling equipment in western Canada and the US.
Rick Gibbs
Neutron Factory Works | Delta
neutronfactoryworks.com
The only industrial contractor that provides electricians, refrigeration mechanics, welders and fabricators, millwrights and PLC programmers under one roof.
Scott Edmonds
Webtech Wireless Inc. | Burnaby
webtechwireless.com
Provides fleet telematics solutions that improve efficiency and accountability and reduce costs.
Business-to-Consumer Products and Services
Natacha Beim
CEFA Early Learning | Vancouver
cefa.ca
Academically prepares children, aged one to five, through a progressive curriculum of games and play.
Brad Trotman, Mike Trotman, Mitch Trotman
Trotman Automotive Group | Surrey
trotmanautomotivegroup.com
A family-owned and -operated company that has been recognized as one of the most progressive, industry-leading dealer groups in Canada.
Charles Chang
Vega | Burnaby
myvega.com
The leader in the plant-based natural health and performance products industry.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Vern Brownell
D-Wave Systems, Inc. | Burnaby
dwavesys.com
The world's first quantum computer company, tackling challenging problems with a breakthrough approach to computation that integrates superconducting and quantum mechanics.
Franck Point
Madeleine (Canada) Investments Ltd. | Vancouver
faubourg.com
A bakery chain providing an authentic Parisian experience to the people of Vancouver.
Lisa Tuningley
T-Rail Products Inc. | Surrey
t-railproducts.com
Provides rail source innovations to Canada's rail transportation industry, from sourcing materials to project management.
Energy
Larrie York
Frontier Power Products Ltd. | Delta
frontierpower.com
Active in the engine and electrical power generation industries in Western Canada.
Carlos Villavicencio
Natural Trade Ltd. | North Vancouver
naturaltrade.ca
Specializes in wholesale, trading and exporting softwood and hardwood lumber in North America.
Aaron Rokstad
Rokstad Power Corporation | Coquitlam
rokstadpower.com
Constructs high-voltage power lines and related infrastructure for utilities and infrastructure contractors.
Entertainment and Hospitality
Sergio Cocchia, Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia
Absolute Spa Group - Crew Management Ltd. | Vancouver
crewmanagement.com
A group of companies formed in 1992 that focuses on hotel management as well as the Absolute Spa Group and its affiliates.
Jason McLean, Sacha McLean
The McLean Group of Companies | Vancouver
mcleangroup.com
Comprising a real estate development and investment division, Vancouver Film Studios film and TV production facility, and Blackcomb Aviation helicopter and jet charters.
Thomas Haas
Thomas Haas Chocolates & Patisserie | North Vancouver
thomashaas.com
Manufactures fine chocolate and patisserie.
Information Technology
Ho Kim
CAMACC Systems Inc. | Saanichton
camacc.com
Designs, builds, installs and services advanced high-definition video and digital storage technology across many sectors.
Stephane Bourque
Incognito Software Inc. | Vancouver
incognito.com
Creates and sells off-the-shelf telecom provisioning, administration and management software geared for the worldwide market of internet service providers.
Jack Newton
Themis Solutions Inc. | Burnaby
clio.com
Offers a cloud-based practice management platform for small to medium-sized law firms.
Mining and Exploration
Bradford Cooke
Endeavour Silver Corp. | Vancouver
edrsilver.com
A Vancouver-based silver mining company operating three silver mines in Mexico.
Ross McElroy, Devinder Randhawa
Fission Uranium Corp. | Kelowna
fissionuranium.com
A uranium exploration company that has successfully found and developed two major uranium deposits in Canada's Athabasca Basin.
Mark O'Dea
True Gold Mining Inc. | Vancouver
truegoldmining.com
Discovers and advances gold, copper, nickel and uranium deposits worldwide.
Manufacturing
Dan Eisenhardt
Recon Instruments Inc. | Vancouver
reconinstruments.com
The world leader in Heads-up Display technology for sports and high-intensity environments, providing performance information, navigation and more, direct-to-eye, in real time.
Jake Fry
Smallworks Studios/Laneway Housing Inc. | Vancouver
smallworks.ca
Builds beautiful small homes, proponent and pioneer of laneway bylaw lobbying and consulting.
Steve Curtis
Zag Group Inc. | Vancouver
zagglobal.com
Creates natural pharmaceuticals, specifically psychoactive categories such as anxiety, pain, depression and sleep, for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
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 Pacific judging panel consists of Robert Beattie, Managing Director, BMO Bank of Montreal; Fred Davidson, Entrepreneur Of The Year Mining and Metals category winner 2012, Pacific, and President and CEO, Energold Drilling Corp.; Joyce Groote, CEO, Crossing Sectors Inc.; Donald McInnes, Entrepreneur Of The Year Cleantech/Information Technology category winner 2011, Pacific, and Executive Vice Chairman, Alterra Power Corp.; Shannon Rogers, Entrepreneur Of The Year Business-to-Business Products and Services category winner 2013, Pacific, National Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneurial Leadership Special Citation recipient, and President and General Counsel, Global Relay Communications Inc.; and Steve Swaffield, Acting President, BG Group.
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 Pacific awards gala on 30 September 2014, please contact Sandie Atkinson at 604 643 5486 or [email protected].
Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada: #EOYPacific.
This year's national program sponsors are National Post, La Presse, RDI, TEC Canada, Merrill DataSite, The Printing House Limited and Kira Talent. In Pacific, Entrepreneur Of The Year is sponsored by BC Business, Hunt Personnel/Temporarily Yours and Four Seasons Vancouver.
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: "Video: 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_C9858_VIDEO_EN_41978.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20140707_C9858_PHOTO_EN_41978.jpg&clientName=EY%20%28Ernst%20%26%20Young%29&caption=Video%3A%20Finalists%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%20Pacific%20Entrepreneur%20Of%20The%20Year%26%23x2122%3B%20finalists%20today&headline=EY%20announces%202014%20Pacific%20Entrepreneur%20Of%20The%20Year%26%23x2122%3B%20finalists%20today
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/07/07/20140707_C9858_DOC_EN_41979.pdf
SOURCE: EY (Ernst & Young)
Erika Bennett
[email protected]
416 943 5497
Sarah Shields
[email protected]
604 648 3607
Julie Fournier
[email protected]
514 874 4308
Share this article