Investment of 25,000 $ in the champion project
SUMMERSIDE – October 13, 2026 – RDÉE Prince Edward Island has just launched a call to all those who have good entrepreneurial ideas to participate in the 2027 edition of its popular Francophone Ignition Contest, which will take place somewhat in the style of the television shows «Shark Tank,» «Dragons’ Den,» and «Dans l’œil du dragon.» The submission deadline is January 8, 2027.
During the Entrepreneurs and Cooperators Lunch in Summerside on October 13, coordinator Natalia Saldarriaga revealed that at the final of this winter's competition, an investment of 25,000 $ will again be made in the project with the greatest potential for entrepreneurial success. This amount will come from the Ignition Startup Fund of Innovation Prince Edward Island. Funding for other aspects of the competition comes from the Atlantic Canada Economic Development Agency.
This competition represents the 13th entrepreneurial development competition of its kind organized by RDÉE IPE, the ninth under the Ignition umbrella.
THE CONTEST
The Francophone Ignition Competition is for francophone or bilingual entrepreneurs (current or potential) who want to set up a new business, launch a new product or service, or expand an existing business into a new production line.
The business must offer its services in both official languages and must be established in Prince Edward Island. At least one of the business owners must be able to conduct business in French and present in French at the final. The developed product or service must necessarily have export potential outside the Island.
Businesses that have already received an amount from the Francophone Ignition Contest or from the former RDÉE IPE Dragons' Contest or from the Ignition Startup Fund or from the Food Excel – Food Island Partnership program of the province, as well as non-profit organizations, are not eligible for the contest.
All competitors will be required to participate in training. Professional trainers will help them prepare to present their entrepreneurial project concisely and convincingly, while focusing on finances.
Following pre-selection interviews, the best-prepared projects will then be invited to the final on March 6, 2027. There, they will need to present their project in 10 minutes before a jury of professional business people, using product samples, screen images, and verbal explanations. After asking them several questions, the jurors will deliberate and decide to invest the 25,000 $ in the project that they believe has the most potential for success.
«As last year, the presentations for the judges will be held in private, rather than in public,» explains the coordinator.
In addition to the cash investment, the entrepreneur who presents the best project will receive several practical gifts, such as a free course from the College of P.E.I., a free three-year membership from the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, and a free one-year membership to the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce and surrounding areas. Furthermore, the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of P.E.I. will offer a free membership to all finalists and tickets to its 2027 Entrepreneurs Gala to the champion.
TO PARTICIPATE
Those interested in participating only need to fill out the online application form that can be accessed at www.rdeeipe.net/ignition/ no later than January 8, 2027, at midnight.
Any request for additional information can be addressed to RDÉE at ignition@rdeeipe.org.
