Annual ACE contest deadline is next week

Calling all student entrepreneurs!

Now is the time to submit a nomination for the 2010 Student Entrepreneur National Competition, operated by ACE and presented by CIBC. The deadline for applications is quickly approaching -- Friday by 6 p.m.

"We are impressed with the quality and number of nominations we have received so far this year," comments ACE president Amy Harder.

"We also know there are thousands of other student entrepreneurs out there whose efforts will go unrecognized if they aren't aware of this annual national competition that honours them."

The Student Entrepreneur National Competition celebrates the commitment, determination and achievements of student entrepreneurs.

Through this annual program, ACE provides a platform for young business leaders to showcase their business on a regional and national stage to top executives and leading entrepreneurs, receive relevant training, network with like-minded students and leverage valuable mentorship to accelerate the growth of their business.

Twelve provincial champions will be named in February 2010, 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 10 to 12, in Calgary.

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.

If eligible, he or she will also represent Canada at the 2010 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards.

Visit www.acecanada.ca for full competition eligibility and criteria.

Founded in the mid-1980s, ACE is a national charitable organization that is teaching and igniting young Canadians to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities. Working in partnership with business and higher education, ACE provides post-secondary students with the opportunity to gain entrepreneurial and leadership skills, outside of the classroom, through a team-based program, Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) and an individual-based program, Student Entrepreneur. Due to direct involvement with ACE, students move on to become entrepreneurs and business leaders who will make a meaningful contribution towards a better Canada.

Last year's New Brunswick winner was Université de Moncton Administration student Alexis Belliveau, owner of The Lawn Enforcers lawn-care agency since 2007.

Belliveau was given the nod after he doubled his profits from his first to his second year of operation, attracted a 15 per cent increase in clients from his first to his second year in business, and learned the importance of ethics, efficiency and setting realistic goals.