Entrepreneurship always plays a key role in the schools!

QUÉBEC CITY, March 30, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Over the past 14 years, the Québec Entrepreneurship Contest has promoted entrepreneurship in schools and encouraged students to take part in novel and concrete entrepreneurial experiences that showcase their talents and enable them to discover qualities they did not believe they had. Again this year, the contest organizers are proud of the participation rate recorded in the Student Entrepreneurship division. Over 45 000 young people from elementary school through to the university level submitted 2381 projects throughout the province.

"The comments we receive each year attest to the importance these young people place on the entrepreneurial experiences they have in class. We are not only reaching out to young people, but through them, we are also influencing adults: the parents and members of the community who bear witness to the efforts of these young people and who are amazed by their level of creativity. This is yet another display of how entrepreneurship showcases the determination of young people." declared Natacha Jean, President and Director General of the Contest.

This year, the participation rates increased in eight administrative regions. The regions that really stood out were the Mauricie with an increase of 70.6%, Laval with 42.0%, Outaouais with 29.5%, Abitibi-Témiscamingue with 17.1% and Estrie with 13.3%. We tip our hats to all those across Québec who are committed to the entrepreneurial cause and who are making it possible for young people to achieve great things. It is important to point out that projects submitted by elementary schools account for more than 48% of the overall participation in the Contest. The scale and scope of the projects are no less than remarkable and have shown, once again, that entrepreneurship is a great way to motivate these young people.

A process as broad as the Contest relies on 216 local coordinators who work for school boards, CÉGEPS, universities and private schools throughout Québec. These dedicated individuals enable thousands of students to get a taste of an entrepreneurial adventure. Behind them are colleagues, parents and other stakeholders who share our pride in the achievements of these young people.

The winners will soon be revealed!

Putting forward an idea and working hard to reach their goal makes every Contest participant a winner. Over the next few weeks, the process to pick the award-winning projects will begin. On the local and regional levels, hundreds of people will work with those in charge of the Contest to choose the projects that will advance to the final step of the selection process that will take place in May 2012.

The winners of the 2012 edition of the Contest will be revealed on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, at the Desjardins Grand Prize Gala to be held in Québec City with Sophie Brochu, President and CEO of Gaz Métro as Honorary President.

The Québec Entrepreneurship Contest is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support the development of Québec's entrepreneurial culture by rewarding entrepreneurial initiatives throughout Québec. The Student Entrepreneurship division encourages the creation of projects that contribute to the development of entrepreneurial values in the schools. Through its Business Creation division, the Contest encourages entrepreneurs who are just starting up a business. Over the last 12 years, the Contest has attracted more than one million participants.

This initiative was made possible by more than 40 partners, including the Desjardins Group, the Gouvernement du Québec, Rogers, Deloitte, Gaz Métro, La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, Journal les affaires, Barreau du Québec, Fondation CMA, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Ingenio (a subsidiary of Loto-Québec), La Capitale Financial Group, SAJE accompagnateur d'entrepreneurs, Saputo and the Association des CLD du Québec.

For further information:

Vincent Dumont
Director of Operations
Québec Entrepreneurship Contest
418-644-4222, ext. 2428