Three finalists named in francophone Ignition Contest
SUMMERSIDE – Three emerging business have earned a place as finalists in the inaugural francophone Ignition Contest.
The Ignition Contest is an effort of Le Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité (RDÉE ) and replaced a previous “Dragon’s Den” style event.
The three finalists’ businesses will only have seven minutes to present their business project during the contest’s finale on March 16. It is being held at the Centre Bell-Alliance in Summerside at 5 p.m. The event is open to the public.
Finalists include Stéphanie St-Onge-Cornish’s Blossom Foot Care, in Summerside, Philippe Guidon and Natalie Coupet Belgo’s Transport, of North Wiltshire, and the Josée Gallant-Gordon and Bobby Gordon’s Elm Grove Centre, of Alma. One of the three will take home the contest’s $25,000 grand prize.
“They will of course try to entertain the audience, but they’ll particularly try to impress our Atlantic Canadian panel of judges, made up of three experienced business people,” said Velma Robichaud, who is co-ordinating the contest for RDÉE Prince Edward Island.
“After considering the descriptions of the projects, their financial projections and the way that the finalists will have presented their proposal, the judges will determine which project is most ready to proceed and most likely to succeed.”
Following the contest, the Acadian Entrepreneurs’ Gala will be held. During the gala, the champion will receive a giant $25,000 cheque to invest in his or her business project. The winner will also get free memberships to the Acadian, Summerside and Charlottetown Chambers of Commerce.
Tickets for the two-part event, at $40 each, are on sale until March 8 at the Centre Belle-Alliance, at the Wellington Rural Action Centre and at the RDÉE P.E.I. office at the Carrefour in Charlottetown.