Are You An ACE Student?

Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship
News Release

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If you are a successful entrepreneur attending a Canadian university or college full time, or you know someone who is, now is the time to submit your nomination for the 2008 National Student Entrepreneur Competition, operated by ACE and proudly presented by CIBC.

The National Student Entrepreneur Competition celebrates the commitment, determination and achievements of student entrepreneurs. Through this annual program, ACE and CIBC create a platform for young business leaders to network with like-minded students, showcase their business on a regional and national stage to top executives and leading entrepreneurs, receive relevant training and leverage valuable mentorship opportunities to accelerate the growth of their business.

Nominations and self nominations will be accepted starting Tuesday September 4, 2007 through the ACE website, www.acecanada.ca, and will close on Friday, December 7, 2007. The competition is open to full-time students at Canadian universities or colleges who are running their own businesses.

Twelve provincial champions will be named in January 2008, earning the right to represent their province at one of three regional competitions held in Calgary, Halifax and Toronto. Regional champions will then move on to the final round of competition taking place at the ACE National Exposition, May 12 to 14, 2008 in Toronto.

Each provincial champion will receive complimentary lodging and travel to attend their regional event, regional champions will receive a $1,000 cash prize plus complimentary lodging and travel to the ACE National Exposition, and the national champion will receive a $10,000 cash prize, and, if eligible, he or she will represent Canada at the 2008 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, operated by Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO).

"This is an incredible opportunity for student entrepreneurs to gain exposure for their businesses and to network with a group of like-minded, successful entrepreneurs," explains Amy Harder, President of ACE. "We strongly encourage all student entrepreneurs to come forward and apply for the unique opportunity to showcase their business on a provincial, regional, national and international stage."

To be eligible for the award, students and their businesses must meet the following criteria:

* Be a full-time undergraduate and/or graduate student at a Canadian university or college for the 2007-2008 academic year

* Be a founder and have at least 50% ownership of the company and be responsible for its operation

* Have been in business for at least the past six months

* Have not competed in the final round of the National Student Entrepreneur Competition in the past

Award timeline
Tuesday September 4, 2007: Nominations/self nomination open

Friday December 7, 2007: Nominations/self nominations close

Friday January 4, 2008: Applications due

About ACE

Founded in the mid-1980s, ACE is a national, not-for-profit organization that is igniting young Canadians to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. Working in partnership with business and higher education, ACE operates a team based program, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) and an individual based program, Student Entrepreneur. Through these two programs, ACE is a catalyst in the development of university and college students who make a meaningful contribution towards a better country, as entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Operated by ACE and proudly presented by CIBC, the Student Entrepreneur Program is the only national program to focus solely on full time Canadian post secondary student entrepreneurs. It is a program that strives to enrich participant's lives through recognition, networking opportunities and unique educational tools.

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