LIENS website to also be launched during « 5 to 8 » reception

CHARLOTTETOWN – May 2, 2014 – Six or seven young entrepreneurs, who have all developed marvelous and innovative business projects, will compete during a « 5 to 8 » reception at the Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean in Charlottetown Friday, May 16, to earn a spot in the finals of RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s Dragons’ Contest.

Contest coordinator Stéphane Blanchard says the competing entrepreneurs, all aged 18-39 years, have truly impressed him with the quality of their projects. He therefore wishes the judges or « dragons » good luck in trying to determine which of these projects are worthy of moving on to the next level. Three of them will in fact to be invited to the finals, to be held May 27 in Brudenell during the Forum on Economic Immigration.

Everybody is invited to attend the playoff evening; admission is free. The evening, to be held in French, will consist of several parts. To start things off, at 5 p.m., everyone will get a chance to network at a social in Le Bayou Room, as they usually do during regular « 5 to 8 » receptions.

Next, RDÉE PEI’s new immigration development officer will be introduced to the crowd. He will then proceed with the official launch of the brand new website for the LIENS project (Liking Economic Immigration to our Successes).

Then come the Dragons’ Contest playoffs. Each contestant will get to explain his business project, either for a product or a service, in a maximum of 10 minutes. Their verbal presentation can be augmented by drawings, videos, photos or PowerPoint presentations. The three « dragons » – all business people with several years of experience – will get an opportunity to ask questions or to comment on the presentations. The judges will then determine which of the projects should move on to the finals in Brudenell.

REWARDS

Finalists will receive a series of rewards, including a free one-year membership to the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, a certificate and a free course from the Collège Acadie ÎPÉ, promotional tools from RDÉE Prince Edward Island and a pass and hotel room to attend the Forum on Economic Immigration.

The University of Prince Edward Island will also do a draw among the competitors for a $150 gift certificate at its gift shop. RDÉE PEI will also do draws for electronic equipment.
The grand champion at the finals will receive a series of other prizes, including a free one-year membership to the Greater Charlottetown Chamber of Commerce, access to a mentorship program and the possibility of seed funding of up to $45,000, thanks to a partnership with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF).

Blanchard notes the RDÉE had hoped to have three playoff evenings but that the participants simply weren’t ready to proceed at the time. It was therefore decided to bring all contestants to a single playoff event.

« We are really looking forward to see which of these amazing young entrepreneurs will make it to the finals, » concludes the coordinator.

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For more information:

Stéphane Blanchard
Development officer (youth sector)
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 8370-7333, Ext. 402