National finalists compete for top prize at Canada’s largest student business plan competition

Finalists of Canada’s largest student business plan competition will compete in front of business leaders to win an opportunity to launch their entrepreneurial ideas. The national finals of BDC Enterprize 2007, a student-led competition featuring $240,000 in prizes, will see 10 teams from across Canada vying for top prize.

Media are invited to speak with student finalists about their presentations. Winners will be announced Saturday evening. Contact: Leanna Yip, 604.616.0400 or Karen Chan, 604.782.9234.

The students’ competing business plans include an innovative online digital music service, manufacturing of a unique home device to prevent burn accidents and the creation of a next generation heart monitoring device with early symptom detection technology.

The grand prize winner will receive a business grant of $75,000 and the opportunity for a loan option of up to $250,000 from BDC. Second place and third place winners will receive $20,000 and $10,000 respectively.

The annual competition is hosted by students at UBC’s Sauder School of Business and is part of the Enterprize student entrepreneurship conference, presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers, held in Vancouver from February 15 to 18, 2007.

Past winners include SunPeak Foods, a Manitoba natural foods producer and UBC student-founded company Energy Aware, manufacturers of an innovative device that helps homeowners track energy use in real time.

"This competition is one of the country’s best incubators for new venture ideas and entrepreneurial talent”, said Na’im Merchant, Chairperson of BDC Enterprize 2007 and undergraduate student at the Sauder School of Business. “Participating students will have a unique opportunity to turn their business ideas into reality.”

This year’s finalists include teams from St. Mary’s University, Dalhousie University, McGill University, Concordia University, Queen’s University, University of Western Ontario, University of Manitoba, Simon Fraser University and Capilano College.

The 10 finalists were chosen from 97 teams across Canada that competed at regional competitions. Teams are composed of two to six students currently completing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited university. Judges include senior executives from BDC, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, and a leading entrepreneur.

“At BDC, we believe in the importance of university education, and we recognize the business potential and ability of Canadian university students,” said Michel Bergeron, BDC’s Vice President, Corporate Relations. “BDC Enterprize 2007 enables us to support tomorrow’s leaders and give them tools to succeed in the business world while fostering entrepreneurship in Canada.”

“BDC Enterprize is a great opportunity for young leaders to embrace and develop their entrepreneurial skill set, exercising a broad range of business skills which will help them pursue and succeed in the careers they seek,” said Campbell Lund, Senior Manager Human Capital at PricewaterhouseCoopers in B.C.

About BDC Enterprize 2007 

BDC Enterprize 2007 is a student entrepreneurship conference featuring interactive speaker series, educational workshops and numerous networking opportunities. The Commerce Undergraduate Society of the Sauder School of Business at UBC founded Enterprize in 2000. Now in its sixth year, Enterprize will welcome more than 500 student delegates during February 15 - 18, 2007 at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver. BDC Enterprize 2007 is also proud to announce that PricewaterhouseCoopers is the conference presenter. For more information, visit http://www.enterprize2007.com/.

About BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) 

BDC is a financial institution wholly owned by the Government of Canada. BDC actively supports the development and growth of Canadian small and medium-sized businesses through its complementary financial, investment and consulting solutions. BDC is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Visit www.bdc.ca for more information.

About PricewaterhouseCoopers 

PricewaterhouseCoopers provides industry-focused assurance, tax, and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for its clients and their stakeholders. More than 130,000 people in 148 countries work collaboratively using Connected Thinking to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice. In Canada, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and its related entities have more than 4,300 partners and staff in offices across the country.

About The Sauder School of Business 

The Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia is Canada’s leading academic business school. Recognized globally for its contributions to management practice through innovative research and teaching, the school is dedicated to opening worlds of opportunities for its students, alumni and associated communities.

For more information, contact:

Leanna Yip 
Director, Marketing and Communications
Sauder School of Business
604-822-0229
leanna.yip@sauder.ubc.ca