MONTREAL, March 5, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Fondation Montréal Inc., in association with the National Bank, is launching "Your Ideas Are Good Business" – the first startup ideas contest involving all Montreal universities.
The contest, which is open to Montreal university students and graduates aged 18 to 35, offers a great opportunity to identify future entrepreneurs in addition to promoting entrepreneurship on campus.
By communicating their business ideas in short 1 to 3 minute videos, contestants will have a chance to turn them into real business projects! The many partners who have agreed to join forces in order to transform the best ideas into promising new businesses include the Foundation and its business volunteers, university entrepreneur centres/incubators and private partners who will contribute their expertise.
All entries received at yourideasaregoodbusiness.ca will be shared with the respective universities, while the 10 finalists and 3 winners will share prizes worth $50,000 in consulting services and visibility.
"In a few weeks, all of Montreal will be impressed by the tremendous creativity of students at our universities and the entrepreneurial potential this represents for our city," said a delighted Liette Lamonde, Executive Director of Fondation Montréal Inc.
National Bank's involvement demonstrates its commitment to this initiative. "This is an unprecedented partnership with universities to promote entrepreneurship, and we are proud to be associated with it. Since its founding, the Bank has prided itself on supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and promoting their development," noted David Pinsonneault, Senior Vice-President – Commercial Banking and International at National Bank.
By launching its ideas contest, Fondation Montréal Inc. is following up on the commitment it made to the Greater Montreal community – at the "Je vois Montréal" event on November 17 – to contribute to the revitalisation of the city.
About Fondation Montréal Inc.
The Foundation invests in the creation and expansion of promising companies and provides ongoing support so they can contribute to Montreal's prosperity. Since 1996, the Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in grants to help start 817 businesses in Montreal, from all sectors, which have created more than 2,535 jobs. The Foundation's laureate companies have combined annual sales of $250 million.
About the "Your Ideas Are Good Business" contest
The university-based ideas contest aims to identify university students and graduates (aged 18 to 35) who have good business ideas. Candidates are invited to present their ideas in short 1 to 3 minute videos. This initiative is based on the collaboration of: Centech, the ESG UQAM Entrepreneurship Centre, the Poly-UdeM Entrepreneurship Centre, Dobson Centre for Entrepreneurship at McGill University, District 3 at Concordia University, the National Bank | HEC Entrepreneurship Institute and the business network of 300 volunteers from Fondation Montréal Inc.
About the National Bank
With $214 billion in assets as at January 31, 2015, National Bank of Canada (www.bnc.ca), together with its subsidiaries, forms one of Canada's leading integrated financial groups. The Bank has more than 20,000 employees and is widely recognized as a top employer. The Bank's securities are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NA:TSX). Follow the Bank's activities via social media and learn more about its extensive community involvement at jecomprends.ca and engagement.banquenationale.ca.
SOURCE Fondation Montréal inc.
Image with caption: "Fondation Montréal inc. logo (CNW Group/Fondation Montréal inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150305_C7678_PHOTO_EN_12862.jpg
Source: Fondation Montréal Inc., Andrée Lemay, Director of Communications and Partnerships; For further information: Fondation Montréal Inc., Anne-Marie Gagnon , Communication-Evnts Consultant, Web and Social Media, Phone: 514 872-2939, Cell. : 514 651-8236, [email protected]; National Bank, Jean-François Lauzon, Advisor - Public Affairs, National Bank, Tel. : 514-394-6097, [email protected]
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