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Two London companies awarded at EY Entrepreneur of the Year Ontario 2016

Steven Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of Element Financial Corporation, a North American leader in fleet management and equipment finance, is this year’s Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario winner.

To read the official release, please visit http://www.ey.com/ca/en/newsroom/news-releases/steven-k-hudson-of-element-financial-corporation-named-ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-ontario-2016

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Ontario 2016 category award recipients:

Business & Consumer Services

Bruce Poon Tip
G Adventures Inc | Toronto
www.gadventures.com
A sustainable travel pioneer, offering small group tours to 90 countries on all continents, leaving a positive impact by helping local communities.

Consumer Products

Les Mandelbaum
Umbra Ltd | Toronto
www.umbra.com
One of Canada’s most iconic global homewares product design companies, recognized for its original and intelligent design of everyday items.

Emerging Entrepreneur

Taylor Ablitt, Dean Elkholy, Gary Manning
Diply | London
www.diply.com
A social news and entertainment website dedicated to connecting audiences with unique user-generated content.

Financial Services

Steven K. Hudson
Element Financial Corporation (TSX: EFN) (TSX: ECN) | Toronto
www.elementcorp.com
A North American leader with global strength in fleet management and equipment finance across the four industry pillars: fleet management, rail finance, commercial and vendor finance, and aviation finance.

Food & Beverage

Khang Luong, Mike Luong, and Chang Kevin Sun
Sweet Maple Candies | Toronto
www.sweetmaplecandies.com
Provides unique, customizable confectionery products to international customers, including gumballs, premium mints and jawbreakers.

Manufacturing

Bob Peacock
ALMAG Aluminum | Brampton
www.almag.com
Manufactures aluminum extruded products to help a wide variety of companies throughout North America to be leaders in their own industries.

Media & Entertainment

James Schmalz and Michael Schmalz
Digital Extremes | London
www.digitalextremes.com
An independent developer and publisher of videogames for Xbox® and PlayStation® platforms.

Real Estate and Construction Services

Jason Smith
Real Matters | Markham
www.realmatters.com
A proprietary, cloud-based real estate technology platform and network of more than 100,000 qualified independent field agents.

Sustainable Products & Services

Carinne Chambers
Diva International Inc. | Kitchener
www.divacup.com
Designs and manufactures The DivaCup, a renowned healthy, sustainable feminine hygiene product.

Diva International Inc. was selected by the National Canadian judging panel to receive a special citation for Industry Disruptor at the National EY Entrepreneur Of The Year gala on 22 November.

Technology

Dave Kroetsch
Aeryon Labs Inc. | Waterloo
www.aeryon.com
A technology and industry leader in the design and production of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS).

Young Entrepreneur

Michael Katchen
Wealthsimple Inc. | Toronto
www.wealthsimple.com
Canada's leading online investment management firm within the fintech industry.

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About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in 60 countries.

The 2016 Ontario independent judging panel consists of Jill Denham, Corporate Director; Steve Faraone, Vice-President, Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan; Jon Hantho, Principal, Janus Advisory Services, Entrepreneur Of The Year Services category winner 2012, Ontario, and National Entrepreneur Of The Year Entrepreneurial Leadership Special Citation recipient; Lisa Melchoir, Private Equity Investor; Lori O'Neil, Corporate Director; Jim Orlando, Managing Director, OMERS Ventures; Jeff Parr, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Clairvest Group Inc.; Gerald Slemko, CEO, Trudell Medical; and Rick Watkin, President and CEO, KUBRA, Entrepreneur Of The Year Technology and Communications category winner 2010, Ontario.

This year's program national sponsors are TEC Canada, La Presse, RDI, The TMX Group, The Globe and Mail Inc., Merrill Corporation, Kira Talent, Air Canada and The Printing House Limited. Ontario regional sponsors are Captivate Network, RBC Royal Bank, BNN and Teknion.

EY is a proud sponsor of Next Canada. 

About EY’s Growth Markets Network

EY’s worldwide Growth Markets Network is dedicated to serving the changing needs of high-growth companies. For more than 30 years, we’ve helped many of the world’s most dynamic and ambitious companies grow into market leaders. Whether working with international mid-cap companies or early-stage venture-backed businesses, our professionals draw upon their extensive experience, insight and global resources to help your business succeed. 

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. For more than 150 years in Canada, we’ve delivered the insights and quality services that help build trust and confidence in capital markets here and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities. 

For more information about the program, FAQs and key dates, please visit ey.com/ca/EOY.

Follow us on Twitter @EYCanada, #EOYOntario

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

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