The Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain is better positioned than ever before to support youth entrepreneurship in partnership with the business community

Renewed mission, new image and arrival of Andrew Molson as Chair of its Board of Directors

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MONTREAL, April 21 /PRNewswire/ - With a new identity reflecting its commitment to young entrepreneurs and the arrival of Andrew Molson as Chair of its Board of Directors, the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain is better positioned than ever before to support the development of youth entrepreneurship.

Its Mission: Launch Montréal's Young Entrepreneurs on the Road to Success Formerly known as "Fondation du maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse," the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain now has a name that reflects its purpose: launching a new generation of entrepreneurs on the road to success. "The young entrepreneurs who receive our grants are determined innovators and performers. In their roles as heads of flourishing businesses that bring prosperity to our city, they are the Montréal Inc. of tomorrow. Our name highlights our role among Montréal's future business leaders," said Ms. Liette Lamonde, Executive Director of the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain.

The new focus of the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain has been highlighted by the arrival of Andrew Molson, Vice Chair of the Board of RES PUBLICA, to the head of the Foundation's Board of Directors. "I am honoured to preside over the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain. This is the only organization to offer so many start-up grants and to provide access on such a broad scale to professionals who volunteer their expertise. In so doing, the Foundation helps entrepreneurs launch their businesses under ideal conditions," Mr. Molson said.

"Montréal is a creative and innovative city and all of the different businesses that have been established by young Montrealers only serve to re-enforce this reality. I am therefore proud to lend my support to the Foundation, which is always prepared to develop new ideas designed to support the success of our young entrepreneurs," said the Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay.

A Unique Model for Intergenerational Knowledge Transfers For 15 years, the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain has awarded grants to young Montréal entrepreneurs seeking funding to launch their businesses. The Foundation is frequently the first capital provider to say "Yes", thus granting credibility to the business plan and such support helps pave the way to financing from investors. The innumerable hours of advice dispensed by over 250 volunteers from the business community are also part of the Foundation's package. Such volunteers give swift answers to questions from entrepreneurs during their business's launch and growth phases.

The Business Community Rallies Behind the Montreal Inc. of Tomorrow The Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain business network offers know-how backed with financial support to help implement the Foundation's mission, particularly as part of its 2009-2013 Osez vous investir ! fundraising campaign.

"About a hundred firms donate to the Foundation. These companies represent the Montréal Inc. of today, alongside companies that once received a grant from the Foundation and are now giving back in turn. This strong link between the Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain and the business community is what makes our organization so unique," Andrew Molson noted.

The Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain invests in the creation and expansion of promising businesses and provides them with constant support to help build the Montréal Inc. of tomorrow. The Foundation has disbursed over $4.6 million to 722 businesses that have created more than 2,093 jobs on the Island of Montréal since 1996.

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Video : http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/smr/FondationDuMaire-April2011.flv

SOURCE Fondation du maire : le Montréal inc. de demain