Last call for Dragons’ Contest
Winner of francophone entrepreneurs competition gets $10,000 prize
There’s only a few days left for French-speaking entrepreneurs to sign up for the fourth edition of the francophone Dragons’ Contest, with the winner taking home a $10,000 prize to invest in their business project.
The contest is designed for those looking to start a new business or expand an existing business for a new product or service.
“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 co-ordinating the popular business contest.
She said several contestants with interesting entrepreneurial projects have already signed up but she still has lots of space for more competitors.
On Feb. 3, all participants will be required to attend a mandatory daylong training session on the presentation of their project (including the financial perspective) so everyone will be on the same footing.
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, who will select three projects. These top three contenders will participate in the grand finale on 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, which will be 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.
Any questions can be directed to Robichaud at 902854-3439, ext. 229, or dragons@ rdeeipe.org.