Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur is a project of 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation and Community Futures Grenville. We are federally-funded not-for-profit corporations that have been serving our communities in Leeds and Grenville for over 35 years, providing business loans, business coaching, and economic development services. We have been supporting local businesses for decades and Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur is a new initiative to highlight the incredible entrepreneurs of our region. We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

New or existing businesses located in the service area of 1000 Islands CDC or Community Futures Grenville are eligible to apply. Contact us to discuss any questions about eligibility.

Applications will open in summer 2025. Watch for details! There will be a written application that includes a business plan. You can access coaching to strengthen your application before you submit.

You should include your business concept, market opportunity, and growth potential. Expert coaching will be provided if you wish to access it.

Applications will open in summer 2025, with finalists announced in fall 2025. The finale takes place in late January 2026.

A panel of third-party business experts will be present at the finale to hear the business pitches of the finalists. When all finalists have presented, the panel will deliberate and select winners and runners-up. Winners will be selected based on innovation, feasibility, market potential, and presentation quality. Participants will be provided information in advance on how they will be evaluated and can also access free coaching to prepare their pitch for the finale.