The Host for GEW in Canada, the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) announced earlier today that Toronto-based entrepreneur Lauren Friese, founder of TalentEgg, was honoured with the National Best Business Award following the CYBF Chairman's Awards live judging yesterday.

The Award, which includes a prize of $20,000 for business expansion(i), was presented at a CYBF Chairman's Awards ceremony last night to honour entrepreneurial champions as part of the GEW Canada celebrations. The Chairman's Awards are a standard in recognizing outstanding achievement in entrepreneurship in Canada and distinguishes leaders that promote and advocate for social and economic growth through entrepreneurship.

"We are extraordinarily pleased to honour Lauren Friese with the title of National Best Business Award Winner," said John Risley, Chairman, CYBF Board of Directors. "Canada is driving and celebrating excellence in youth entrepreneurship, and Lauren and her fellow award winners' success is a true inspiration to other Canadians, demonstrating the power of young people to become successful business leaders and help fuel our economy."

Friese was selected from a group of five outstanding finalists who vied for the prestigious title yesterday before an expert judging panel of senior business leaders. The five finalists were:

-Best Innovative Business: Armen Bakirtzian, Richard Fanson and Andre Hladi of Avenir Medical Inc. in Waterloo, Ontario. www.avenirmedical.com.

-Best Green Business: Lisa von Sturmer of Growing City in Vancouver, British Columbia. www.GrowingCity.ca.

-Best Socially-Minded Business: Tal Dehtiar of Oliberte Limited in Oakville, Ontario. www.oliberte.com.

-Best Emerging Business: Lisa Donaldson of Fiddleheads Kids Shop Inc. in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. www.gofiddleheads.com.

-Best Expanding Business: Lauren Friese of TalentEgg in Toronto, Ontario.www.talentegg.ca.

The CYBF Chairman's Awards presentation is among many activities taking place across the country as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Canada, November 12-18, 2012. As the official Canadian host of GEW Canada, CYBF partners with organizations in Canada and joins those around the world to celebrate entrepreneurs and inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.

"Small businesses are the engine of the economy. They create jobs and foster growth," said the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, who took part in yesterday's celebrations. "This is why our Government is proud of our collaboration with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation to help support the next generation of small business leaders. Today's youth are tomorrow's workforce, so by investing in them we are helping contribute to Canada's long-term growth, competitiveness and overall prosperity."

Thirty-eight Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals were presented to remarkable Canadians at last night's event, including business mentors, whose expertise and dedication have played an instrumental role in helping launch young and emerging entrepreneurs' careers and businesses in communities across Canada. Nine of the Medals were presented yesterday by the Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, to CYBF's Ontario-based Outstanding Volunteers, with the other 29 presented at events in communities across Canada throughout November.

"On behalf of Ontario I would like congratulate the recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal," said the Honourable Brad Duguid. "They have been instrumental to the success of young entrepreneurs who will be the next generation of business leaders and innovators, building a vibrant economic future for Ontario."

Two outstanding Canadians were also presented with Honorary Awards in recognition of their contribution to entrepreneurship. John Dobson, Chairman Emeritus, Formula Growth Ltd. and founder, John Dobson Foundation, received the inaugural CYBF Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for helping shape the future of Canadian entrepreneurship and inspiring a generation of young entrepreneurs. Dr. Alex Bruton, Associate Professor, Bissett School of Business at Mount Royal University and Educator-in-Residence, Trico Charitable Foundation, received the 2012 Entrepreneur Educator Award for his commitment to the promotion of entrepreneurship among students, faculty and the community and providing the guidance and resources necessary for future Canadian entrepreneurs to succeed.

Finally, as part of the celebrations, CYBF recognized former CEO Vivian Prokop for her decade of leadership and dedication to Canada's young entrepreneurs. During her tenure, CYBF helped thousands and thousands of young Canadians pursue a life's dream of starting and owning their own business and became a role model for other countries to do the same. Through her vision and resulting impact, Vivian created a lasting legacy for Canada, the organization and for generations of young entrepreneurs to come. To learn more about these award winners and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal recipients, or for additional information about the CYBF Chairman's Awards program and Global Entrepreneurship Week Canada please visit www.cybf.ca.

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