| Toronto, October 12, 2007
- A university student from Winnipeg, Manitoba who started out
selling video games online from his basement has won the
inaugural "eBay Canadian Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Award," receiving $3,000 to help grow his business. The
award was a new category created specifically for 18 - 24
year-olds as part of eBay's third annual "eBay Canadian
Entrepreneur of the Year Awards."
The annual eBay awards program was created to recognize
Canadians, from small towns to urban downtowns, who are running
successful online businesses; selling everything from golf
practice nets and high-end bicycle parts, to vintage t-shirts
and original artwork to customers around the world.
This year's winners are as follows:
- The eBay Canadian Young Entrepreneur of the Year
(open to 18 - 24 year-olds) - Jade Pearce, Winnipeg, MB
(eBay User ID: pnpgames)
- The 2007 eBay Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year First
Place Winner - Trevor Weldon, West Chezzetcook, NS (eBay
User ID: cleblancweldon)
- Second Place - James Applegath, Toronto, ON (eBay
User ID: defunkd_vintage)
- Third Place (tied) - Osnat Tzadok, Thornhill, ON
(eBay User ID: os-box) and Jean-Francois Lapointe, Gatineau,
QC (eBay User ID: nomade20000)
Hundreds of Canadian e-Business owners entered this year's
third annual competition with the hope of being crowned eBay's
Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year. Entrants were asked to submit
essays detailing their business philosophies and innovations,
and describe significant business challenges they have faced and
how they overcame them.
"This year's winners prove that eBay is an ideal business
partner for Canadian entrepreneurs regardless of their age or
geographic location," says Andrew Sloss, Interim Country
Manager, eBay Canada. "It's important for us to recognize these
savvy business owners and their contribution to the Canadian
economy by paying tribute to their innovation and competitive
spirit."
Winners of this year's awards were chosen by an esteemed
panel of industry leaders and past winners including Brian
Scudamore, CEO and Founder, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?; Marilyn Bild, eBay
business owner and the 2006 eBay Canadian Entrepreneur of the
Year; and Andrew Wahl, Senior Technology Reporter, Canadian
Business magazine.
"It's exciting to see the level of success these small
business owners have been able to achieve, some in a very short
period of time," says judge and 2006 winner Marilyn Bild.
"Canadian entrepreneurs from across the country are building
solid careers, and attracting loyal customers all over the world
through eBay."
Prizes for the eBay Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
are $5,000 for first place, $2,000 for second place, and $1,000
for third place. The winner of the eBay Canadian Young
Entrepreneur of the Year Award receives $3,000. |
