Saskatchewan native wins BDC Young Entrepreneur Award
by Canadian Manufacturing Daily Staff
Joel Pinel announced winner of award, $100,000 grand prize
MONTREAL—The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) has announced the winner of its 2013 Young Entrepreneur Award and the $100,000 grand prize.
Joel Pinel, 28, of Moose Jaw, Sask., saw his Equipment Edge project take home the top prize.
The general public selected the winning project from nine finalists through online voting.
Pinel’s project is aimed at equipping his company, WOW Factor Media, with the technology needed to manufacture directional and custom-built signage for high-rise buildings.
In-house production of signs for units currently under construction will give the print and marketing company an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of the burgeoning building market and gain a competitive edge.
“Winning this prize is massive for our business,” Pinel said in a statement. “I’m overwhelmed and so grateful for the support we received from Saskatchewan and all our loyal fans. The exposure we gained was just incredible and has already accelerated our business.”
According to Pinel, the $100,000 grand prize will be used for new equipment that will lead to increased revenues and reduced costs, while allowing his firm to maintain control of the production process.
“The new equipment will give us the opportunity to fast forward our business, grow more quickly and employ more people,” he said.
The contest runner-up, recipient of $25,000 in BDC consulting services, is the project Brand Endeavor, submitted by finalist Max Jenke of Endeavor Design in Vancouver.
Nine projects competed for Canada’s votes in the 2013 BDC Young Entrepreneur Award online voting contest, which ran from May 22 to June 11.
