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Canada's Top Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Named by the FuEL Awards

New national recognition program celebrates Canada’s top 20 under 30 for
their entrepreneurial acumen, innovation, job creation and community
involvement

For profiles of the award-winners, visit: http://www.fuelawards.ca

TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2011 /CNW/ – Toronto-Alexander Levy never planned to
start a business. But while working as a student researcher at the
University of Toronto, he developed a prototype mobile application that
allows people with communication disorders, such as those caused by
stroke, autism and ALS, to make themselves understood audibly – at a
tiny fraction of the cost of existing hardware systems.

As Levy demonstrated the technology to clinicians and families, he found
that an overwhelming percentage of them wanted to pay to use it. So,
the 24- year-old launched MyVoice Inc. earlier this year to distribute
the app of the same name. More than 9,000 people in 30 countries have
downloaded a free version of MyVoice, and many are converting to paid
monthly subscriptions that include powerful customization tools. “Our
products materially improve the lives of thousands of people with
disabilities,” says Levy, who now has 10 employees.

For developing a life-changing innovation, creating jobs and building a
company with the potential for explosive growth, Levy has been chosen
the FuEL Entrepreneur of the Year as part of the 1st annual FuEL
Awards. He is among 20 Canadians under the age of 30 honoured for their
entrepreneurial excellence by the FuEL Awards, which celebrate Canada’s
Future Entrepreneurial Leaders (FuEL).

“The winners of the FuEL Awards are eager young Canadians, brimming with
innovative ideas and a passion for creating a better future,” says Ian
Portsmouth, Editor-in-Chief of PROFIT, which produces the awards in
cooperation with Impact Entrepreneurship Group. “They are role models
for Canada’s youth, and the cornerstone of the country’s economic
prospects.”

All 20 FuEL Award winners will be profiled in the December/January 2012
issue of PROFIT and receive a one-day business consultation with
professionals from KPMG Enterprise. Short profiles of the winners are
available now at http://www.fuelawards.ca.

FuEL Award winners (in alphabetical order)

  • Arash Afrooze, 27, Burnaby, B.C., HiretheWorld.com (HiretheWorld Enterprises Inc.)
  • Kenshi Arasaki, 28, Vancouver, A Thinking Ape Technologies Inc.
  • Rattan Bagga, 26, Burnaby, B.C., Jiva Organics Manufacturing and Distributing Inc.
  • Ray Cao, 25, Toronto, Loose Button Inc.
  • John Carbrey, 29, Toronto, Intrafinity Inc.
  • Lauren Friese, 28, Toronto, TalentEgg Inc.
  • Debbie Fung, 29, Toronto, Yoga Tree Inc.
  • Monique Haakensen, 29, Saskatoon, Contango Strategies Ltd.
  • Dave Hale, 23, Ottawa, Soshal Group Inc.
  • Graham Hawryluk, 24, Headingley, Man., Meticulous Wood Flooring Inc.
  • Sammie Kennedy, 29, Toronto, Booty Camp Fitness Inc.
  • Arjun Kumar, 26, Whitby, Ont., Kela Medical Inc.
  • Alexander Levy, 24, Toronto, MyVoice Inc.
  • Matt Rendall, 27, Kitchener, Ont., Clearpath Robotics Inc.
  • Simon Rouillier, 28, Montreal, NVI
  • Amit Sandhu, 26, Richmond, B.C., Ampri Group
  • Josh Sookman, 28, Toronto, Guardly Corp.
  • Kyle Vucko, 26, Vancouver, Indochino Apparel Inc.
  • Dave Wilkin, 23, Toronto, Redwood Strategic Inc.
  • Edward Yao, 24, Toronto, TeamBuy.ca

How they were chosen
This year’s FuEL Awards winners were selected through a combination of
public votes (20% of a candidate’s final score) and review by a blue-
ribbon panel of judges against the following criteria: Product/service
innovation (25%); Community building/social responsibility (15%); Job
creation/employment practices (15%); Commercial results/potential
(25%).

The Judges
The judging panel included Jean-Sebastien Cournoyer, General Partner,
Real Ventures; Harley Finkelstein, Chief Platform Officer, Shopify;
Kunal Gupta, CEO, Polar Mobile; Mike Jagger, President, Provident
Security; Raymonde Lavoie, President, DesArts communication; Mark
McLean, Vice President, Regional Operations, Canadian Youth Business
Foundation; Margot Micallef, President, Oliver Capital Partners; Alec
Morley
, Senior Vice President, Small Business Banking, TD Canada Trust;
Sarah Prevette, Founder, Sprouter.com; W. Brett Wilson, Chairman,
Prairie Merchant Corp.

For more information about the FuEL Awards, visit: http://www.fuelawards.ca.

About the FuEL Awards
The FuEL Awards are produced by PROFIT Magazine in partnership with
Impact Entrepreneurship Group. Celebrating Canada’s Future
Entrepreneurial Leaders, the awards honour the achievements and
aspirations of entrepreneurs under the age of 30, identify role models
for progressive business practices and inspire youth to make
entrepreneurship their No. 1 career choice. Supporters of the inaugural
FuEL Awards include Rogers, Presenting Sponsor; KPMG Enterprise and TD
Bank Group, National Sponsors; and Filemobile, Associate Sponsor.

About PROFIT Magazine
PROFIT: Your Guide to Business Success is Canada’s preeminent
publication dedicated to the management issues and opportunities facing
small and mid- sized businesses. For 29 years, Canadian entrepreneurs
and senior managers across a vast array of economic sectors have
remained loyal to PROFIT because it’s a timely and reliable source of
actionable information that helps them achieve business success and get
the recognition they deserve for generating positive economic and
social change. Visit PROFIT online at http://www.profitguide.com.

About Impact Entrepreneurship Group
Founded in 2004, Impact Entrepreneurship Group is Canada’s leading
youth- run, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening youth
entrepreneurship. Through its various programs, Impact encourages youth
to venture down the path of entrepreneurship and supports their
endeavours along the way. Impact succeeds in these efforts due to its
driven members, strong alumni network and many supportive partners.
Visit Impact online at http://www.impact.org.