Each project must be registered in one of the seven official categories. At the provincial level, there is a first and second prize in each of these categories:
A business that catches, develops, produces or processes direct or indirect food products intended for human consumption and whose revenues stem mostly from sales to retailers (e.g. supermarkets, fine grocers, pharmacies, boutiques), hotels, restaurants, institutions or manufacturers.
When the primary source of revenues stem from direct sales to customers, businesses should strongly consider registration in the Commerce category.
Note: Given the breadth of registered projects with a link to the bio-food industry, and in order to ensure the proper evaluation of projects, a business that fits the definition of the Bio-Food category as well as either the Social Economy category, the Technological and Technical Innovation category or the Commerce category should register in one of the latter categories.
A business with a physical and/or online point of sale whose revenues stem mostly from direct sales to customers and marketing products to wholesalers or retailers.
Co-operative, mutual company or non-profit organization that conducts commercial activities for social purposes, i.e. sells or trades goods and services not to make a profit, but rather to meet the needs of its members or host community. The enterprise puts in place democratic rules of governance for and by members, is constituted so that decision-making power is not held by one or more private and/or public bodies, aspires to be economically viable, provides rules that prohibit or limit the distribution of surpluses generated by its activities, and, in the event of dissolution, transfers its remaining assets to an organization with similar objectives.
A business that exploits natural resources, or that produces or processes semi-finished or finished products, with the exception of bio-food products intended for human consumption.
An innovative business that creates new products, processes or innovative applications. This business aims to improve, change, modify, transform or revolutionize an activity sector or social practice.
A business that provides services to organizations or other businesses.
A business that provides services to the public, including restaurants and hospitality enterprises.
The winners of the following special prizes will be chosen from among the provincial finalists in the seven official categories of the OSEntreprendre Challenge. No other projects are eligible for these prizes.
Youth Entrepreneurship Grand Prizes | Two prizes of $10,000
The Youth Entrepreneurship Grand Prize, presented by the Secrétariat à la jeunesse, was created to showcase the most inspirational young business creators of 35 years old or under among the provincial finalists in the Business Creation section of the OSEntreprendre Challenge.
People’s Choice Prize presented by Polycor, powered by Videotron Business | $2,000
The People’s Choice Prize, presented by Polycor and powered by Vidéotron Business, was created to showcase inspirational entrepreneurs among the provincial finalists in the Business Creation section of the OSEntreprendre Challenge.
Ingenuity Prize, presented by Loto-Québec | $5,000
The Ingenuity Prize, presented by Loto-Québec, was created to showcase a company, selected from among the provincial finalists in the official categories of the OSEntreprendre Challenge, that demonstrates ingenuity, whether in the nature of the products offered or the way they are offered. A prize of $5,000 is awarded to the winner.
Student Founder of a Business Prize, presented by The Fonds de recherche du Québec | $5,000
Conditional upon the confirmation of funding, the Female Entrepreneurship Prize will showcase a business from among all the finalists of the OSEntreprendre Challenge that has one or more women at the helm (majority or equal owners) who have meaningful decision-making authority. A prize of $3,000 is awarded to the winner.
Entrepreneuriat féminin Jury’s Favourite Prize, presented by the Secrétariat à la condition féminine | $3,000
The Female Entrepreneurship Prize was created to showcase a business from among all the finalists of the OSEntreprendre Challenge that has one or more women at the helm (majority or equal owners) who have meaningful decision-making authority.
