Looking for entrepreneurial contestants

CHARLOTTETOWN – Nov. 27, 2015 – The champion of RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s newly revised “Dragons’ Competition” will receive a grand prize of $10,000 to help set up his or her new business project.

In addition, the winner will receive a free one-year membership to both the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce, as well as a $200 gift certificate from the UPEI Bookstore and free business courses from the Collège Acadie Î.-P.-É.

“We are extremely excited to be able to offer such great prizes for this brand-new version of our Dragons’ Competition,” says co-ordinator Rachel Chappell. “It is thanks to substantial financial contributions from RDÉE Prince Edward Island, Innovation PEI, The Co-operators and RDÉE Canada that we will be able to invest $10,000 into the establishment of the winner’s new business project.”

Chappell notes that before giving out the prize, she needs contestants for the competition. She therefore launched a campaign to recruit participants; it runs Dec. 1, 2015, to Feb. 1, 2016.

“This competition, which is loosely based on the Dragon’s Den TV show, is open to all French-speaking or bilingual people wishing to establish a new business, to launch a new product or service, or to expand an existing business. We therefore invite all those who have a new business idea to sign up!” she explained. “All contestants will be required to participate in a day of training in February so that they can learn how to better develop their project and how to present or ‘sell’ it to potential investors so that they’ll invest in it.”

FINAL COMPETITION IN MID MARCH

Then, the contestants will have an opportunity to make their presentation during a pre-selection interview in front of a panel of judges. The three top presenters will be invited to participate in the final competition, in front of the public and a new panel of entrepreneurial judges, in mid-March in Summerside (probably just before the Entrepreneurs’ Gala).

It should be noted that all presentations must be made in French.

RDÉE PEI had organized a first version of the contest two years ago. Mathieu Gallant of Mont-Carmel, with his Island Artisan Cheesehouse, was named its champion. That original contest had been aimed at business people aged 18-39 but the newly revamped edition is open to people of all ages.

Those wanting more information can contact Chappell at 902-370-7333, Ext. 401, or send an email to dragons@rdeeipe.org.

To register as a contestant, go to www.rdeeipe.net/dragons to fill out the online registration form.

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CUTLINE: Rachel Chappell proudly launches the new 2015-2016 edition of the Dragons’ Competition, which she is coordinating.

 

For more information:

Rachel Chappell
Coordinator
Dragons’ Competition
902-370-7333, Ext. 401
dragons@rdeeipe.org