Buyatab.com owner Matias Marquez won the honour of being Simon Fraser University’s fourth annual student entrepreneur of the year at a competition held November 19.
The competitionis one of the annual signature events started by Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) in 2008. The mission of the entrepreneur of the year program is to recognize and inspire entrepreneurship at the university and in the wider community.
Marquez’s company provides digital gift card processing software that can be embedded in customers’ websites.
Buyatab.com’s clients have thousands of locations across North America, including the Keg Steakhouse and Bar, Boston Pizza, Milestones and Swiss Chalet.
Arvand Alviri, who founded VenueWize, was the contest’s runner-up.
His venture is a web and mobile-based application created for event organizers. It lets them collaborate on events, access live guest information during events (via iPhone and iPad apps), track guest profitability and be as sustainable as possible.
Last week, SFU alumnus Arash Afrooze, who co-founded HiretheWorld, was recognized by Profit Magazine as one of Canada’s top 20 young entrepreneurs.
Afrooze’s venture is a global service marketplace that allows businesses and individuals to hire, manage and pay remote freelancers or teams.
Glen Korstrom
@GlenKorstrom