SUMMERSIDE – Oct. 19, 2016 – Wanting to duplicate or even surpass the success of the last edition of its Dragons’ Contest, RDÉE Prince Edward Island is hoping to offer between $10,000-$15,000 to the winner of the next edition of its entrepreneurial competition to help him or her set up his or her business project.

As she officially launched the 2017 edition of the Dragons’ Contest, Tuesday morning during the Entrepreneurs’ and Co-operators’ Breakfast, RDÉE executive director Bonnie Gallant noted the 2016 edition last winter had attracted 13 contestants. Three of them were chosen for the finals, which were held jointly with the Entrepreneurs’ Gala.

Over 100 people watched as the three finalists briefly presented their entrepreneurial project proposal to a national jury, who had to select the project that had the highest probability of success. The seven-minute presentations were made much in the same was as is done on the TV show Dragons’ Den. Then, at the end of the Gala, organizers presented a $10,000 cheque to the happy winners, Karine Gallant and Iain McInnes from the Productions Piroune malthouse.

« This edition attracted a lot of interest from the community, in the media and among governments, » said Gallant. « We therefore decided to repeat the competition, but this time we’re trying to increase the value of the prize. »

The new edition of the contest is again aimed at any francophone or bilingual person (French and English) wishing to establish a new business, launch a new product or service or expand an existing business. The product or service must be available in both of Canada’s official languages and the business must be setting up shop on PEI.

DEADLINE: FEB. 3

All those who are interested must fill out an online application form, which can be accessed at http://garago.net/forms/dragons, by Feb. 3, 2017.

All contestants must then attend a full day of « pitch training » in early February to learn low to present their entrepreneurial project in a concise and convincing way. They will all get a chance to make their presentation before a local panel of judges in mid-February. This jury will select the three top contestants to compete in the provincial finals. The judges will offer suggestions for project improvements to all contestants.

Then, the three finalists will compete in the March 11 finals in Summerside before another panel of entrepreneurial experts. The winner will receive a tidy sum of money to get his or her business project off the ground, along with several other gifts, including free memberships to Chambers of Commerce.

The final list of sponsors and prizes will be finalized over the next few weeks.

All requests for information can be addressed to the contests’ new coordinator, Nicole Allain, at dragons@rdeeipe.org or at 902-370-7333, Ext. 401.

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CUTLINE: Bonnie Gallant, executive director of RDÉE Prince Edward Island, left, and coordinator Nicole Allain officially launched the 2017 edition of the Dragons’ Contest Tuesday during the Entrepreneurs’ and Co-operators’ Breakfast in Summerside.

 

For more information:
Nicole Allain
Dragons’ Contest co-ordinator
902-370-7333, Ext. 401
dragons@rdeeipe.org