SAINT-LAURENT, QC, Nov. 5 /CNW Telbec/ -- Développement économique Saint-Laurent (DESTL), the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Saint-Laurent and TD Bank Financial Group are proud to announce the new PME Académie competitions-a privileged opportunity for innovative Montréal entrepreneurs to submit their business plan and earn up to $100,000 in financing, including a $30,000 grant from TD to facilitate their business start-up.

Coordinated by DESTL and it's Local Development Center (CLD), PME Académie provides entrepreneurs with a special opportunity to start up their own business under the best possible conditions. Backed by three months of training (February, March, April), eight finalists will be selected and coached by trainers as well as by seasoned mentors, all throughout the development of their business plan.

"For TD Bank Financial Group, it's a chance to open the door to the business world for Québec entrepreneurs who will be supported by our services all throughout their growth. In this way, we are able to establish a dialogue between business partners from their first moments and to build on solid foundations in addition to giving a good helping hand to start-up operations," stated Nancy Hammond, Vice-President, Laval/St-Laurent district, TD Canada Trust.

Alan DeSousa, Saint-Laurent Mayor and Chairman of the CLD, stated that PME Académie is giving Saint-Laurent "a potential to create at least eight new businesses, at a time when the recovery should begin to be felt. It must be pointed out that a major contribution is being made by TD Bank Financial Group, which is offered an substantial financial support. PME Académie is an attractive way of encouraging new initiatives and innovative business projects, creating jobs and stimulating entrepreneurship".

Expressing his enthusiasm, as well, over the possibilities of creating new businesses, DESTL President François Jobin added that: "The winning formula of coaching and training sets up the best possible conditions right from the time of start-up of the new business. So even though we have only one grand-prize winner, all the other finalists have the chance of validating and consolidating their business plan."

Anyone interested may enter the competitions November 1, 2009 - January 15, 2010, by obtaining an application form on the website (www.pmeacademie.ca). Applicants must be 18 years of age, Canadian citizens, submit a business plan summary for a new company and sign the agreement to locate it on the territory served by DESTL.