News > 2009 > The 12th Annual Entrepreneurship and Innovation Contest Encourages Businesses with a Promising Future

The 12th Annual Entrepreneurship and Innovation Contest Encourages Businesses with a Promising Future

November 24, 2009

The winners of the Centre d’entrepreneurship HEC–Poly–UdeM Entrepreneurship and Innovation Contest were announced at a gala on November 24. The 16 businesses chosen, newly formed by 32 entrepreneurs from three educational institutions, received a total of $100,500 in awards and services. Eight of the winning projects were created in whole or in part by HEC Montréal graduates or students, and received close to $50,000 (detailed list below).

This annual contest distributes funds raised from the Centre’s private and public partners. It is a real springboard to success for students and young graduates from the three institutions. A survey of the winners from 1998 to 2008 reveals that the 62 firms that responded to the survey had total sales of $43 M in 2008. The 35 respondents from HEC Montréal had total sales of $21 M for the 2008 fiscal year. Since their businesses were created, they have received $12.6 M in funding. They have 187 full-time and 55 part-time employees and 540 freelancers or subcontractors.

The winning projects this year are in widely varying fields, ranging from advanced energy efficiency techniques to restaurants and publishing.

Congratulations to the winning businesses, and thanks to the Centre d’entrepreneurship and its partners and donors, who believe in these young entrepreneurs and support them with seed money at this crucial phase.

 

The 2009 winners with HEC Montréal roots are:


Coffrets Prestige
(tie)
The company offers activity packages in attractive gift boxes for a prestigious selection of high-end destinations.
Pierre-Olivier Dion (BBA Management, Entrepreneur track, HEC Montréal) is its founder.
Award
Bell Canada: $2,000


Ecksand inc.
This young firm designs, manufacturers and sells (both retail and online) environmentally responsible high-end jewellery made from Tahitian pearls.
Erica Bianchini (double major in economics and finance, McGill University) and Yoan Gehant-Vidoni (major in economics, Université de Montréal and Certificate in Financial Management, HEC Montréal) are the company’s founders.
Awards
Jean-Pierre Chartrand, Novacap, Réseau capital: $5,000
Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse: $5,000


Inovae inc.
This firm works in the field of energy efficiency audits and controls, i.e. wireless real-time energy management via its ENSIS online platform, allowing buildings to save energy.
Its founders are Joël Lavoie (BEng Physics Engineering, MScA Chemical Engineering, PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique), Yan Basile-Bellavance (Certificate in Financial Management, HEC Montréal and BEng, MScA Electrical Engineering , Polytechnique), Vincent Lévesque (BEng Industrial Engineering, UQTR) and Hakim Rouab (BEng Mechanical Engineering, UQTR).
Awards
Friends of Polytechnique of Montreal: $2,500
Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse: $2,500
VYV Corporation (former winner): $500
Lafortune Cadieux S.E.N.C.R.L.: $1,000 (in services)


Le Manga-Thé (tie)
A tea salon/bookstore specializing in manga, in Montreal.
Robert-Louis Milin (BBA Management, Entrepreneur track, HEC Montréal) came up with the idea.
Award
Jean-Pierre Chartrand, Novacap, Réseau capital: $2,000


Les Éditions JFD
A publishing house for teaching materials (university and college levels) and books on training.
Jean-François Déry (BBA Management, Entrepreneur track, HEC Montréal) founded the business.
Awards
Bell Canada: $5,000
Jean-Pierre Chartrand, Novacap, Réseau capital: $4,000
Univalor: $2,500
HEC: $1,000


Location Studio4Fun inc.
A rental service offering affordable photo and video space for amateurs, students and semi-professionals.
Hai Au Bui (BBA Management, Entrepreneur track, and Professional Accounting (CMA), HEC Montréal) came up with this concept.
Awards
Anonymous donor: $5,000
Jean-Pierre Chartrand, Novacap, Réseau capital: $2,500


Simple-Sales
This company sells new and used golf equipment.
It was founded by Marc-Antoine Bovet (BBA Accounting, HEC Montréal) and Pierre-Luc Laparé (BBA Accounting and Management, Entrepreneur track, HEC Montréal).
Award
Bell Canada: $3,000


Taktik2, Gestion d’événements (tie)
This company manages and organizes public and corporate fashion and sports events.
Michèle Bastien (BBA Finance and Certificate in Entrepreneurship, HEC Montréal) and Véronik Bastien (BBA Marketing and Finance and Certificate in Entrepreneurship, HEC Montréal) came up with this idea.
Awards
Bell Canada: $1,000
Centre d’entrepreneurship: $1,000