For chance to win $10,000 prize

 

CHARLOTTETOWN – Jan. 19, 2018 – All French-speaking entrepreneurs who have ideas for a new business, for the expansion of an existing business or for a new product or service are reminded they only have a few days left to sign up for the fourth edition of the francophone Dragons’ Contest. The winner will get a $10,000 prize to invest in his or her business project.

« The registration deadline is Jan. 31, so anyone who is interested must act quickly, » says Velma Robichaud, the RDÉE Prince Edward Island officer who is coordinating the popular business contest. « You just have to visit the website www.rdeeipe.net/dragons/ to access the online registration form. »

She notes that several contestants with very interesting entrepreneurial projects have already signed up but that she still has lots of space for more competitors.

On Feb. 3, all participants will be required to attend a mandatory day-long training session on the presentation of their project (including the financial perspective) so everyone will be on the same footing. Expert trainers Ron and Connie Robichaud from C&R Care and Consulting will offer suggestions on presentation methods as well as on the type of verbal and body language to use when appearing before contest judges.

In mid-February, contestants will be asked to pitch their project to a panel of local entrepreneurial judges. These judges will select the three projects that are the most ready and have the highest probability of success.

These three top contenders will then participate in the grand finale of the contest Saturday, March 17, in Summerside; they’ll then pitch their project before a national panel of judges as well as the public. The prize will be presented to the winner later in the evening at the end of the Entrepreneurs’ Gala, also being held at the Centre Belle-Alliance. The champion also gets media exposure, free one-year memberships to the Summerside and Charlottetown Chambers of Commerce, as well as to the Acadian and Francophone Chamber and various other prizes.

Former contest winners are Mathieu Arsenault from Island Artisan Cheesehouse, Karine Gallant and Iain MacInnes from Productions Piroune and Ghislaine Cormier from Kaneshii Vinyl Press.

Any questions can be directed to coordinator Velma Robichaud at 902-854-3439, Ext. 229, or at dragons@rdeeipe.org.

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CUTLINE: Velma Robichaud, coordinator of the 2018 Dragons’ Contest, discusses the competition sponsor Patrick Villeneuve, owner of Mermaid Marine Products in Charlottetown. The registration deadline is Jan. 31.

 

For more information:
Velma Robichaud
Dragons’ Contest coordinator
902-854-3439, Ext. 229
dragons@rdeeipe.org