1st Place - Start-Up Category Jill Kenney, Gear Drop
Location: Burnaby

Gear Drop, is a hockey gear airing and storage service located at Burnaby 8 Rinks. “I basically created a simple solution to a common problem,” explains Kenney, “Adults who play exclusively at Burnaby 8 Rinks store their gear with us instead of at home.”  Kenney learned about the Business Plan Contest when she was researching business start-up information on SBBC’s website. “I strongly believe that business plans are extremely important. When I was opening my business I was constantly using SBBC’s website as a resource.”

Judges comments:
- Well-written plan
- Unique concept
- Good location (captive audience & high volume traffic)
- Good management info system
- Complementary skill sets among management team, able to use to business advantage
- Strong marketing campaign and branding
- No local competition

1st Place - Growth Category  Monkey's Playhouse
Location: Kelowna
Biz stage: Existing - Since 2002
Monkey’s Playhouse, a quality childcare facility for children aged 0 – 12 years, offers families flexibility in scheduling and individualized programs to assist children with learning challenges.  Founded in 2002, the company’s first centre was opened in Port Moody and has since expanded with two more locations in Coquitlam and Kelowna, with another centre soon to open in Kelowna’s Westbank.  

Judges comments: 
- Proven business model
- Strong growth potential
- Effective HR practices

2nd Place - Start-Up Category Nima'ma Maternity
Location: Vancouver
Biz stage: New - Start April 2008
Nima’ma Maternity, a unique maternity clothing retail outlet, which will open the first week of April at 2938 West Fourth Avenue (at Bayswater) in the heart of Kitsilano. Nima'ma will offer a comfortable, welcoming shopping experience for pregnant women looking for higher end professional lines.

Judges comments:
- A well-researched and clearly written plan
- Retail location in a growing affluent neighbourhood provides a strong competitive advantage
- Tapping into a growing niche based market for modern maternity apparel
- Play a leadership role in supporting the market to move to ethically sourced and manufactured apparel products and additionally has implemented into her business philosophy and plan to support charity Dress for success; and is even using business cards that are non-toxic

2nd Place - Growth Category    Lambda Solutions
Location: Vancouver
Biz stage: Existing - Since 2003
Lambda Solutions provides eLearning outsource services to a wide range of businesses, including Rogers Communications, HSBC, BCIT and Vancity. Lambda Solutions' unique approach to the customization and implementation of the open source learning management system, Moodle, provides a cost-effective, seamless technology platform for creating, delivering and managing learning.

Judges comments: 
- Interesting business model with the opportunity to be "first to market" on designing your own course concept
- Good pricing strategy
- Strong Management team

3rd Place - Start-Up Category MacStewart Brewery
Location: Abbotsford
Biz stage: New - Start 2008
MacStewart Brewery is a modern microbrewery that combines old world, natural handcrafted brewing techniques with advanced brewing equipment to offer the finest, big flavored quality, micro-craft beer.

Judges comments:
- Strong management team experienced and respected in business as well as the brewery industry
- Head brewmaster, co-founder of MacStewart, is recognized as brewery industry expert with 15 years experience working in established breweries
- Able to duplicate imported beers from inexpensive water rebuilding techniques and diversify product offerings
- A well-researched plan that produced a viable business proposition
- Financials and costs are realistic

3rd Place - Growth Category     Tremain Media
Location: Campbell River
Biz stage: Existing - Since 2004
Tremain Media Inc. creates and distributes educational media, including a series of dvd’s aimed at helping parents and children engage in early learning together.

Judges comments: 
- Excellent proven product
- Good distribution network in place