Deadline to apply for FuEL awards is July 15

TORONTO, June 23, 2011 /CNW/ - TD, National Sponsor of the 2011 FuEL awards, invites Canadians to apply, or nominate others, for this year's contest. FuEL 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 top career choice.

"TD sponsors the FuEL Awards because we believe in small business and we recognize that they are a key driver of Canada's economic growth," said Alec Morley, Head, Small Business Banking, TD Canada Trust, "and we're thrilled to celebrate and encourage young entrepreneurs."

Who: Entrepreneurs under the age of 30

What: FuEL awards, to recognize Canada's Future Entrepreneurial Leaders

Where: Nominate or apply at http://www.fuelawards.ca/

When: by July 15 at 11:59 p.m. EDT

The 20 applicants deemed Canada's Future Entrepreneurial Leaders in 2011 will receive:

• A national accolade that can attract the attention of customers, investors and strategic business partners.
• Profile on the FuEL Awards website and in the December 2011 issue of PROFIT Magazine.
• A one-day business consultation with professionals from KPMG Enterprise.
• A chance to be named FuEL Entrepreneur of the Year and attend QuantumShift™, an exclusive leadership development program at the Ivey School of Business.

After the submission period closes, Morley encourages supporters of young entrepreneurship to vote for their favourite candidates and to share their thoughts by tweeting, blogging and talking about it.

"I've met plenty of young Canadians who are passionate about a business idea, technology or service; they are resourceful and ambitious and are exactly the type of people we want building small - and eventually, bigger - businesses in this country. I hope the FuEL Awards will help drive the conversation and inspire future young entrepreneurs."

Candidates will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Product/service innovation
• Community building/social responsibility
• Job creation/employment practices
• Commercial results/potential
• Total votes Watch

Alec Morley's video on FuEL awards here: https://www.facebook.com/fuelawards?sk=wall

About TD Bank Group

The Toronto-Dominion Bank and its subsidiaries are collectively known as TD Bank Group (TD). TD is the sixth largest bank in North America by branches and serves more than 19 million customers in four key businesses operating in a number of locations in key financial centres around the globe: Canadian Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Canada Trust and TD Insurance; Wealth Management, including TD Waterhouse and an investment in TD Ameritrade; U.S. Personal and Commercial Banking, including TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank; and Wholesale Banking, including TD Securities. TD also ranks among the world's leading online financial services firms, with approximately 7 million online customers. TD had CDN$630 billion in assets on April 30, 2011. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades under the symbol "TD" on the Torontoand New York Stock Exchanges.