Montréal, October 8, 2015 ‒ The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and the Intrerregional Committee of the Prêt à entreprendre program are proud to announce the nine award-winning entrepreneurs selected for the 2015 edition of the Prêt à entreprendre program: Louis-Félix Cauchon and Patric Jolicoeur Mondou of Jeux Borealys Inc., Maxime Camirand of Systèmes Logiques Maritimes Inc., François Poirier of MakerBloks, Stéphane Dumont and Frédérick Dompierre of Bleu Yéti Inc., William Dubé of Thunder Lotus Games, and Robert Rossi and John Anagnostopoulos of Visceral Performance Inc.
"For the third consecutive year, it is our pleasure to grant the Prêt à entreprendre honour loan to nine talented Montréal entrepreneurs. The financial support and personalized follow-up offered under this initiative will help achieve promising projects for our business community and facilitate access to other sources of financing for these young businesses. I invite the entrepreneurs and buyers of the metropolitan area to benefit from the referral and business information services offered by Info entrepreneurs to convert their business ideas into reality," declared Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Prêt à entreprendre offers comprehensive support to entrepreneurs by granting interest-free, unsecured honour loans of up to $30,000, along with mentoring and technical support. In the context of implementation of this program, the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) has mandated the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal (the Board of Trade) to act as the intermediary with the Montréal and Laval participants enrolled in the program.
"As the voice of the metropolitan business community, the Board of Trade undertakes to support and promote the development and transfer of businesses in the Greater Montréal area, so that they can achieve their full potential in innovation, productivity and competitiveness. By sharing expertise under the Prêt à entreprendre program, the entire business community plays an active part in the success of the entrepreneurial succession and wealth creation in our territory," Michel Leblanc added.
The only initiative of its kind in Canada, the Prêt à entreprendre program was made possible thanks to the cooperation of Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et des Exportations (MEIE), the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Desjardins Group and Capital régional et coopératif Desjardins, the FCCQ, the Fondation de l’entrepreneurship (FDE) and Quebecor. The total budget of around $7 million is financed by three of the project's partners, the Gouvernement du Québec ($4 million), the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec ($1 million) and Desjardins Group ($2 million).
After five years of the program's operation, up to 300 of the most promising entrepreneurs of all ages, from every region of Quebec, will have benefited from financing and high-level support offered by a team of volunteer mentors.
Registrations for the 2016 cohort of the Prêt à entreprendre program are in progress. Entrepreneurs who wish to participate in the initiative have up to October 15 to submit their candidacy online to www.pretaentreprendre.com.
About Prêt à entreprendre
With the objective of favouring local entrepreneurship, Prêt à entreprendre is a support program for new entrepreneurs, seeking to encourage the growth and sustainability of young businesses. The program offers support on several levels: one interest-free, unsecured honour loan per entrepreneur, for up to $30,000; the support of a mentor and expert advice; and finally, access to larger networks.
To learn more, visit www.pretaentreprendre.com.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
About Info entrepreneurs
Info entrepreneurs is a leader in the delivery of quality strategic information on government programs and services directed to the business community. It constitutes a privileged source of commercial information, thus contributing to the economic growth of SMEs. Info entrepreneurs is a service of the Government of Canada delivered by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. Info entrepreneurs is part of the Canada Business Network which comprises 13 major centres across Canada.
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For information :
Cindy Desmarais
Head, Business Information
Tél. : 514 496-4636, ext. 2916
cdesmarais@InfoEntrepreneurs.org
Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Senior Advisor, Public Relations, and Press Attaché
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tél. : 514 871-4000, ex. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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Twitter : @chambremontreal
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