Benefits of participation
  1. What is the PROFIT W100?

    The PROFIT W100: Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs is the authoritative ranking of women-run companies. Results of our annual survey, with stories profiling women business leaders, are published in the November issue of PROFIT.

  2. Why should my company enter the PROFIT W100?

    The PROFIT W100: Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs can achieve national and local publicity, increased employee motivation, industry accolades and sales to new customers.

Ranking methodology
  1. How is the PROFIT W100 ranked?

    New for 2009, the 11th annual PROFIT W100 ranking of Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs will feature two lists. The main list will rank the country's most successful female entrepreneurs based on a proprietary formula that considers the size, growth rate and profitability of the entrepreneurs’ companies. (Previously, companies were measured only by gross annual revenue.) We will also debut a ranking of up-and-coming women entrepreneurs whose companies are still in the emerging phase; these entrepreneurs will be ranked using criteria similar to those applied to the main W100 list.

  2. How is revenue recognized for the ranking?

    PROFIT defines gross annual revenue per generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Sales that cannot be booked as revenue under GAAP do not count for the purposes of the PROFIT W100. (For instance, a travel agency can claim as revenue its commissions on airline tickets sold, but not the total dollar value of the tickets.) Gross revenue must be reported net of returns and discounts. Franchisors must report corporate revenue only.

  3. How are candidates' claims verified?

    All candidates must submit complete financial statements.

Eligibility requirements
  1. Who can enter the PROFIT W100?

    To qualify for the PROFIT W100: Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs, a company must:

    • Be headquartered in Canada with significant operations in Canada;

    • Be independent (i.e., not a division or subsidiary, except of a holding company);

    • Have more than 50% Canadian ownership if a privately owned company; public companies with 50% or less Canadian ownership will be judged by PROFIT on a case-by-case basis;

    • Operate at arm's length from related companies that have also declared their candidacy for the ranking (see No. 9).

    Other qualification criteria are as follows:

    • Management role: Candidate(s) must have a senior management title (e.g., CEO, president, managing partner) and contribute significantly to the management or strategic direction of the firm.

    • Ownership stake: Nominee(s) must have a substantial ownership stake relative to the ownership structure of the business. Generally, women entrepreneurs who own more than 25% of a privately held company or more than 5% of a public firm are encouraged to apply. (PROFIT determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis; the intent is to include as many candidates as possible.)

    • Partnership: Female business partners will be considered for joint ranking if they meet the ownership criteria noted above and occupy senior positions at the company.


  2. Are non- and not-for-profit enterprises eligible?

    Non- and not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to enter, although PROFIT will consider such candidates on a case-by-case basis.

  3. Are franchisors or franchisees eligible for the PROFIT W100?

    Franchisors are eligible, but should report only corporate revenue, not system-wide sales. Franchisees are not eligible.

  4. Can related companies apply separately?

    In the case of related firms that do not operate at arm's length from one another, only one of those companies is eligible. Also, divisions and subsidiaries are ineligible.

  5. My company reports in U.S. dollars. Am I still eligible for the PROFIT W100?

    Yes.

How to enter
  1. How do I enter the PROFIT W100?

    Simply fill out the short electronic ballot. Contact information appears on the entry form.

  2. Should we report fiscal or calendar revenues?

    Fiscal.

  3. What happens after I enter the PROFIT W100?

    You will be sent a short but detailed questionnaire in June. Candidates must return this questionnaire plus documentation (i.e., financial statements) supporting their revenue claims.

Terms and conditions
  1. Can my company be disqualified?

    PROFIT reserves the right to remove any company from the PROFIT W100 at any time if PROFIT determines that inclusion of that company would discredit PROFIT. PROFIT also reserves the right to withdraw invitations to events related to the rankings.

For more information
  1. I still have a question. Who do I call?

    If you need more information, please call our toll-free PROFIT hotline at 1-800-713-GROW (1-800-713-4769).