Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse: 15 years of shaping the face of tomorrow's Montréal Inc.
Starting up their own business, being their own boss, managing their own finances — such is the stuff of many a young entrepreneur’s dreams. However, you need to be well prepared to embark on such an adventure. Fortunately, Montrealers between the ages of 18 and 35 inclusively find a formidable ally in the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain. For the past 15 years, the Fondation has been synonymous with hope, daring, achievement and success. In short, it is a foremost reference in entrepreneurship for Montréal’s youth.
Much more than bursaries
The idea behind the Fondation du maire was to award grants to young people with promising business projects. Since its inception, the Fondation du maire has supported 735 projects, which resulted in the creation of more than 2,000 jobs in Montréal.
These eloquent figures did not happen by accident. Together with a seasoned team of more than 200 volunteers from all sectors of economic activity in Montréal, up-and-coming entrepreneurs receive support, guidance and advice — the Fondation’s tried and true road to success. With the support of its volunteer network of business professionals, the Fondation is able to offer young entrepreneurs numerous free services. Whether in the form of coaching or mentoring, budding entrepreneurs learn a host of skills necessary to the smooth running of their business.
Together with a seasoned team of more than 200 volunteers from all sectors of economic activity in Montréal, up-and-coming entrepreneurs receive support, guidance and advice?the Fondation’s tried and true road to success.
The Fondation itself has much changed over the years and the business projects are infinitely various and bold, like the young Montrealers presenting them. The recipients are from all walks of life and their proposals cover a panoply of services, ranging from food to new technology, through transportation, the arts and fashion, to name a few. Among them are several worthy ambassadors of Montréal’s entrepreneurial spirit: Les Collections Mariouche, whose Harricana creations are also sold in Europe (Mariouche Gagné was one of the first entrepreneurs to receive a Fondation du maire grant); Odotech, a world pioneer, which designs odour measurement and monitoring systems; Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois, whose chocolate creations are sold across Quebec; Zorah Biocosmétiques, which creates top-of-the-line argan oil-based cosmetics; and VYV Corporation, a company that specializes in stage dressing and whose roster of clients includes such celebrity names as Cirque du Soleil, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Cirque Éloize and ExMachina.
Ally of the first hour!
Supporting the development of entrepreneurship and job creation are Canada Economic Development priorities. It is in this spirit that the Agency has supported the Fondation du maire since its creation in 1996.
As Liette Lamonde, Executive Director of the Fondation, says: “Canada Economic Development is a major ally of the first hour. Thanks to its financial support, the Fondation du maire has been able to develop its service offering and meet entrepreneurs’ financing and consulting needs.”
For more information on the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain: http://www.montrealinc.ca/en/index.php.
