SUMMERSIDE – March 3, 2024 – The lucky winner of the 2025 Francophone Ignition Contest will receive, among other benefits, a free college course of his or her choice from the Collège de l’Île, thanks to an annual sponsorship from the post-secondary institution. The College is delighted to continue its sponsorship of the competition, which encourages and supports the development of skills among the province’s francophone entrepreneurs.

The three finalists – MAD-ÎPÉ by Tsiori Razafindrakoto of Summerside, Timeless Events PEI Inc. by Marie Dubé of Bayview and Productions LTDU Inc. by Hélène Lebon of Bonshaw – will each present their entrepreneurial project in seven minutes to a jury of businesspeople and an audience on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at the Village musical acadien in Abram-Village.

The champion will also earn a $25,000 investment, a free chamber of commerce membership, free advertising and a pair of tickets to the 2025 Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala. In addition, the three finalists will receive a free membership to the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI.

The public is encouraged to attend free of charge; no registration is necessary. The Francophone Ignition Contest is a RDÉE Prince Edward Island initiative carried out in partnership with Innovation PEI’s Start-Up Fund and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.