Last call for entries in Francophone Ignition Contest for chance to win $25,000 and various other prizes

Submission deadline is Jan. 18

WELLINGTON – January 10, 2020 – It’s time for those thinking of entering the Francophone Ignition Contest – for a chance to win $25,000 and a variety of other prizes – to take action since the deadline to submit applications is Jan. 18th at midnight!

This contest, which is run by RDÉE Prince Edward Island, is aimed at Francophone people who have an idea for a new business and existing entrepreneurs who want to launch a new product or service or expand to introduce a new production line. The planned product or service must have the potential to be exported to other provinces or countries.

The business must be based on the Island and at least one of its owners must be able to do business in French and present their project in that language during the competition.

The winner of the competition will receive a $25,000 cash prize from Innovation PEI to help them get their business project off the ground. In addition, the winner will receive free one-year memberships to the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI and to the Greater Summerside and Greater Charlottetown Chambers of Commerce. And finally, the individual will receive free business courses from the Collège de l’Île and a pair of tickets to attend the 2020 Entrepreneurs’ Gala.

HOW THE CONTEST WORKS

First, to enter the contest, you must go to the website www.rdeeipe.net/ignition/ to download the application form. Of course, the form must be filled out and submitted by Jan. 18.

Competitors will have to attend two days of mandatory training on the presentation of their project and their finances (with experts Ron and Connie Robichaud from C&R Care and Consulting and other trainers) on the weekend of Jan. 25-26. They will then be required to go through pre-selection interviews with a provincial panel Feb. 15.

The three contestants with the best potential for success will be invited to participate in the finals on the evening of March 5 at the Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside. There, they will be asked to present their projects, in seven minutes, before an audience and a national panel of judges, and answer questions from the judges – in a style similar to the TV shows “Dragons’ Den” and “Shark Tank”.

The winner will immediately receive his or her big, symbolic cheque and other prizes and will benefit from substantial media promotion. He or she will then be recognized again at the 2020 Entrepreneurs’ Gala on March 14.

The $25,000 will be awarded to the winner upon presentation of receipts as reimbursement for expenses incurred in the implementation of his or her project.

Please note that businesses that have already won an Ignition prize from the province and the RDÉE are not eligible for this contest; former winners of the RDÉE’s Dragons’ Contest and non-winning competitors of these two contests are, however, eligible.

For more information, visit the website or contact coordinator Julie Gallant at ignition@rdeeipe.org or at 902-854-3439, ext. 227.

The Francophone Ignition Contest is funded by Innovation PEI and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

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PHOTO: Velma LeBlanc, left, former coordinator of the Francophone Ignition Contest, and new coordinator Julie Gallant remind entrepreneurs that the deadline for applying to the contest, to win a $25,000 prize, is Jan. 18.

 

For more information:
Julie Gallant
Coordinator of the Francophone Ignition Contest
902-854-3439, ext. 227
ignition@rdeeipe.org