The Caisse Awards Bursaries of $10,000 to Two Students from the École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce

MONTREAL, March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The Caisse is pleased to announce its intention to award two $10,000 bursaries to students from the École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce (EEB). The Région éloignée de la Beauce (Beauce-remote region) bursary was awarded to Erik Lévesque of J2 Gestion d'approvisionnement, a Longueuil-based company that manages multiple purchasing groups in the Québec manufacturing industry. The Création d'entreprise (business creation) bursary, which aims to recognize the founder of a company created at least five years prior, was awarded to Ariane Cloutier of Coups de pieds, a Granby-based company specializing in personal and professional coaching.

"The École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce is an extraordinary springboard for Québec entrepreneurs who are going to take the helm of a family business or who set up a business in the last few years and wish to further develop their skills," said Michel Lefebvre, Vice-President, Québec Business Development. "By training a new generation of champions, the EEB is instrumental in building the Québec of tomorrow."

"The Caisse is a key partner of the EEB. It has been present since the early stages of the project and for this we are very grateful. The bursaries offered give strong support to the new generation of entrepreneurs and are a real incentive in recruiting new students to our program," explained Nathaly Riverin, General Manager of the École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce.

Since the bursary program was created in fall 2010, the Caisse has awarded eight bursaries totaling over $85,000. Four bursaries are awarded annually; two in the fall session and two in the spring.

ABOUT THE ÉCOLE D'ENTREPRENEURSHIP DE BEAUCE
The École d'Entrepreneurship de Beauce (EEB) is the only school in Québec dedicated to training entrepreneurs from all sectors, thanks to the expertise of high-level business leaders. In addition to obtaining major support from several entrepreneurs active in the Beauce region, the school has benefited from a key partnership with two Québec institutions, namely, National Bank of Canada and Desjardins. Located in the Beauce, a mecca of entrepreneurial culture, the EEB aims to build Québec's entrepreneurial elite. For information on the EEB (various challenges launched to participants, registration procedures, selection criteria, candidate submission process, etc.), consult the EEB website at www.eebeauce.com.

ABOUT THE CAISSE DE DÉPÔT ET PLACEMENT DU QUÉBEC
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is a financial institution that manages funds primarily for public and private pension and insurance plans. As at December 31, 2011, it held $159.0 billion in net assets. As one of Canada's leading institutional fund managers, the Caisse invests in major financial markets, private equity and real estate. For more information: www.lacaisse.com.

SOURCE CAISSE DE DEPOT ET PLACEMENT DU QUEBEC