During GEW Canada 2009, CYBF engaged hundreds of organizations to champion and celebrate youth entrepreneurship that reached millions of Canadians through grass roots and national GEW initiatives. For this contribution, CYBF was nominated the “Country of the Year Award”.  The announcement was made at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where CYBF represented Canada. CYBF competed against more than 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States of America for the “Country of the Year” award.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity dedicated to growing our nation’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. CYBF looks at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business.

Founded in 1996, to date, CYBF has invested in more than 3,500 young entrepreneurs in communities across Canada. These businesses have generated over $92 million in tax and export revenues, and have created more than 16,900 new jobs.  Through its national network of community partners, CYBF was able to deliver its program coast to coast with more than 3,100 volunteers across Canada.