The Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards are hosted by the Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs in association with The Center of Entrepreneurship, Centennial College, Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, PwC, and Ming Pao Daily News.

 

Purpose of the Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur Awards:

  • To promote entrepreneurship in the Chinese Canadian community
  • To recognize the contributions of Chinese Canadian entrepreneurs
  • To encourage new business start-up
  • To promote social responsibility in entrepreneurs

Awards include…

All nominees’ business must be…

  • The Nominee’s business must be properly registered with an operating office in any province of Canada.
  • The Nominee must have at least one person of Chinese origin who plays a major role in the management of the business operation. (Exception: Best International Business)
  • The Nominee must not be the subject of any legal investigations

The annual nomination period typically runs from June to November, and the awards ceremony is usually held in late March or early April.

 

Nomination Guideline

  • The Nominations must be nominated by a third party and submit a completed Nomination Form with required information by the nomination deadline
  • Nominations can be made in either English or Chinese
  • Documents including financial information submitted to the Judging Panel will not be returned
  • Nominees will receive a certificate for display at their sites of business
  • Finalists will be notified in advance and may be required to submit additional information and/or participate in a due diligence process
  • Winners will be announced at the Awards Gala Night
  • The Decisions of the judging panel are final
  • Nominations submitting false information will be automatically disqualified

The judging panel may consider other factors as appropriate, such as industry reputation, environmental concerns, safety record, employee dedication, corporate stability, etc.

 

Non-Disclosure

  • Any financial or proprietary information submitted by the Nominee shall be kept in strict confidence by ACCE and the Judging Panel

 Judging Criteria

Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Innovation:
    Is there an innovative aspect to this business such as the production process, marketing strategies, service approach, methods of distribution or export concepts?
  • Operating Success:
    Does the company enjoy profitability and financial health? Is there potential and/or planning for growth? Is the company exporting?
  • Quality of Product or Service:
    Is the company recognized for its product or service quality? Is the company an industry leader? Does it engage in continued product or service development through research or market studies?
  • Corporate Citizenship:
    Does the company participate in community activities (eg. cultural, social, educational and recreational initiatives)? Does the company engage in social marketing? Has the company received community recognition?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there evidence of appropriate business planning? Are there immediate and long term training initiatives for management and/or employees?
Best Start-up
  • Innovation:
    Is there an innovative aspect to the business, such as product or service, production process, marketing strategy, service approach, methods of distribution, advertising techniques or export concepts?
  • Operating Success:
    To what extent has the product or service been accepted in the marketplace? Are the products or services sold beyond the Chinese community?
  • Growth Prospects: 
    Is there an opportunity for continued growth in the industry sector? Is there export potential? Is there an opportunity for product or service diversification? Is financing adequate?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there evidence of appropriate business planning? Are technological improvements part of the plan? Are there immediate and long-term training initiatives for management and/or employees?
Most Innovative
  • Innovation: 
    Did the company create, improve or promote an outstanding concept, procedure, technology, design and process in marketing, customer service, product or human resources development which enhanced productivity and gave it a competitive advantage in the marketplace?
  • Operating Success: 
    To what extent has the innovative product or service been accepted in the marketplace? Has the business strengthened its position in the marketplace? Are the products or services offered beyond the Chinese community?
  • Growth Prospects:
    What is the growth potential of the company with the application of the innovation on its product or service? Is this a best practice which may be beneficial to the business community?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there evidence of appropriate business planning? Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged?
Most Progressive

(Business must have been in operation for at least five years)

  • Responsiveness to Change:
    Did the company demonstrate a responsiveness to change in the improvement process: financing (e.g. employee purchase), corporate restructuring, product redesign, marketing strategy, approach to services, etc.?
  • Operating Success:
    Over the last five years, has the company increased its sales? Has the business strengthened its position in the marketplace? Is it currently financially stable? Do employees have job security? Are there other measurable variables to show the significance of the improvement?
  • Growth Prospects: 
    What is the company’s growth potential? Will market conditions allow its progress to continue?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged? Did management make personal sacrifices to effect the improvement?
Best Community Service
  • Community Participation:
    Has the company assisted local charities, educational, cultural, or sporting activities? Has the company contributed to community development through social marketing? Is the company a member of any business associations?
  • Community Recognition:
    Has the company received industry or community awards? Is the company viewed favorably by its peers or industry competitors? Does the company enjoy media recognition?
  • Employee Relations:
    Does the company have a satisfactory working relationship with its employees? Do the employees earn a living wage and participate in benefit programs? Does the company have an employment equity plan in place? Does the company encourage employee training?
Best International Business

(Open to all Canadians)

  • International Business:
    What is the percentage of the nominee’s export sales/foreign business investment as compared to the nominee’s total sales/foreign investment (with geographic break down)?
  • Operating Success:
    To what extent has the international business been accepted in the market place? Has the nominee’s business strengthened its position in the marketplace? Does the nominee demonstrate that their sales, products or services benefit Canadian and Chinese communities in Canada and abroad? What are the nominee’s financial performance results for past 3 years?
  • Growth Prospects:
    What is the growth potential of the nominee with the expansion of the international business, qualitatively and quantitatively?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there evidence of appropriate business planning, business operations control? Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged? Is there involvement in related community activities that encourage other businesses to engage in international business?
Award of Merit
  • Innovation:
    Is there an innovative aspect to this nominee’s business such as the production process, marketing strategies, service approach, methods of distribution or export concepts?
  • Operating Success:
    Does the company enjoy profitability and financial health? Is there potential and/or planning for growth? Is the company exporting?
  • Quality of Product or Service:
    Is the company recognized for its product or service quality? Is the company an industry leader? Does it engage in continued product or service development through research or market studies?
  • Corporate Citizenship:
    Does the company participate in community activities (e.g. cultural, social, educational and sporting initiatives)? Does the company engage in social marketing? Has the company received community recognition?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there evidence of a young or emerging leader or leadership team that has driven the development and growth of a successful business? Is there evidence of appropriate business planning and management practices?
Best Asia Pacific Business
  • Asia Pacific Business:
    Does the nominee, which must have been operating for at least two years, demonstrate that it has successful operations in Hong Kong, or successfully used Hong Kong as the gateway to expand its business worldwide, resulting in significant improvement in business performance?
  • Operating Success:
    Has the nominee’s business demonstrated ability to create competitive advantages and overcome challenges in entering the new market? Does the nominee have a business plan through use of research data, innovation and strategies to promote awareness in their new market?
  • Growth Prospects:
    What is the growth potential of the nominee with the use of Hong Kong qualitatively and quantitatively? Will market conditions allow its progress to continue?
  • Management Capabilities:
    Is there evidence of appropriate business planning, business operations control? Is there any training program for staff development and is this encouraged?