About us

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AAGEF Ontario, with over 2,000 executives, is a networking association of French Elite Graduate Schools alumni, living and working in Ontario. We also welcome Ontario-based alumni of Canadian and global Elite Universities.

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/72309514

In June 2021, AAGEF Ontario successfully hosted its 100th event. All our events are open to everyone and are conducted in English during the presentation. Networking is bilingual English/ French. Find more information about our events and register for them on our LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/company/72309514

AAGEF Entrepreneur Challenge is in its seventh year. And since its inception in 2015, the event has garnered a lot of interest and traction in the business community.

Click here to register!

Date: Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Time: 5:30pm

Venue: TBD.

Our Jury Members and Master of Ceremony for 2020

Véronique Hame

General Manager at TerrAscend

Jury Member

Lisa Mattam

Founder and CEO Sahajan

Jury Member

Patrick Imbert

EVP Business France North America / Head of Invest Dept North America / Director Business France Canada

Jury Member

Charles Losa

Partner at PwC Deals Strategy in Toronto

Jury Member

Sébastien Gendron

Co-Founder & CEO TransPod Inc.

Jury Member

Jeremy Daveau

General Manager Mars-Wrigley Canada

Master of Ceremony

2021 Applicants

The AAGEF 2021 Entrepreneur Challenge is now welcoming applications from the most exciting start-ups to be a part of our Annual Challenge. For the start-up community, it’s a perfect platform to be coached and advised by industry top leaders.

All entrepreneurs are invited to apply. Upon submission, applications will be reviewed by our selection committee. The three finalists will be named on a date to be announced later. The three selected entrepreneurs will present in front of a jury of investors and top executives on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. The winners will be awarded cash gifts and prizes besides the invaluable guidance from top executives.

Application Deadline: Friday, October 15, 2021

To Apply for 2021

Sebastien Gendron

Co-Founder & CEO, Transpod Hyperloop

ISAE-SUPAERO

"I strongly encourage entrepreneurs to participate in this challenge. It's an excellent bridge to introduce your product and company to the European market as you will have the opportunity to pitch your project in front of the industrial partners, both from Canada and Europe."

Lisa Mattam

Founder & CEO, Sahajan

McMaster University

"My participation in the 2016 Challenge was an enlightening and rewarding experience. Even though our brand had received initial traction, including being the only Canadian brand selected for Sephora's Inaugural Accelarator, the pitch competition helped me to translate that success and convey the potential of the brand to investors, buyers and other supporters in more relevant fashion. I gained great insight from jury members and invaluable contacts, including a potential investor."

Mikhael Taye

Business Development Officer, Able Innovations

Challenge Winner 2019, McGill University

"The AAGEF 2019 Entrepreneur Challenge was a fantastic experience for Able Innovations. We received an excellent opportunity to gain exposure for our venture and network with influential individuals to forward our business goals. This competition is an ideal opportunity for Canadian entrepreneurs to gain exposure with a new audience and form novel partnerships to take their ventures to the next level."

Sophie Howe

CEO & Co-Founder, Xesto

winner of the 2020 Jury Award

"The AAGEF Challenge was a great opportunity for Xesto to showcase our company to a large audience with a significant network. The exposure provides entrepreneurs access to well connected and generous individuals who want to see Canadian startups succeed. I would highly recommend this challenge for any Canadian entrepreneur looking to expand beyond Canada"