Montreal’s BEC Soda wins Youth Business International’s Beyond Borders Award, presented by Futurpreneur Canada
For immediate release
TORONTO (May 31, 2016) – At today’s Action Entrepreneurship Canadian Summit in Toronto, Futurpreneur Canada and Youth Business International announced Bec Soda as the Youth Business International Beyond Borders Award winner. The award recognizes a business that has successfully expanded into new markets and has seen substantial business growth as a result.
“We are very proud and honoured to have received the YBI Beyond Borders Award,” said Olivier Dionne, Co-Founder, BEC Soda. “But we are most of all thankful to all of our partners, such as Futurpreneur, who have believed in our dream from day one and have supported us in our goal to conquer the world with our organic soda line. Thank you!”
In August 2014, the Bec Soda team launched the very first soda made with maple syrup. Entirely local and certified organic by Aliments du Québec and Ecocert Canada, it is the only organic maple syrup soda in the world. Bec Cola has expanded its business outside of Montreal, and the cola can now be found in shops and restaurants across Québec and also in France, Switzerland and Belgium. Bec is currently working on expanding into the US and Japan.
“The rapid success of the maple syrup Bec Soda and establishment of international distribution is a testament to the quality of the product and the confidence of the Bec Soda team,” said Andrew Devenport, Chief Executive Officer, Youth Business International. “It also shows that with the right product, marketing and knowledge international markets present vast opportunities to grow. The soft drinks industry is highly competitive and Bec Soda’s achievement is stunning, they are very worthy winners of the Youth Business International Beyond Borders Award. I wish them every success and have no doubt they will conquer the world!”
“Entering into new markets can be intimidating, but the team at Bec Soda has quickly and fearlessly expanded not just all around the province, but beyond Canadian borders into multiple European markets,” said Maryse Gingras, Regional Director, Quebec, Futurpreneur Canada. “We’re really proud to see a local Canadian entrepreneur finding success around the world.”
The Beyond Borders Award was one of five awards that Futurpreneur presented today. Other awards included the Clearwater Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the BDC Mentorship Award, the Shopify Grit Award and the RBC Community Partner Award. These awards are one way the organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary, by recognizing top Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneurs and the people and organizations that support their success.
– 30 –
About Futurpreneur Canada
Futurpreneur Canada (formerly the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, or CYBF) has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for nearly two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,800 volunteer mentors. Futurpreneur Canada is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week. staging.futurpreneur.ca. Facebook: Futurpreneur Twitter: @Futurpreneur
For interview opportunities and media inquiries, please contact:
Meghan Paton
Manager, Public Relations and Social Media
Futurpreneur Canada
416-408-2923 x 2207
mpaton@futurpreneur.ca
