Six Inspiring Finalists Announced for the First-Ever Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur Competition

Leeds and Grenville – The excitement is building across Leeds and Grenville as six outstanding local businesses have been named finalists in the inaugural Leeds and Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur competition!

Launched this year by 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation and Community Futures Grenville, the competition drew twenty-six applications from across the region, showcasing the creativity, innovation, and determination that define Leeds Grenville’s business community.

After a competitive selection process, six entrepreneurs have risen to the top and will advance to the live Pitch Gala, where they’ll share their stories and compete for two Grand Prizes—each offering $10,000 in cash and over $10,000 in business services—one awarded within the 1000 Islands CDC service area and one within the CF Grenville service area. The Gala will take place on January 28, 2026, at Prescott Town Hall and will be a ticketed event open to all who wish to attend. Details and registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Meet the Finalists:

• Curran Reading Corner (curranreadingcorner.ca) is Leeds and Grenville’s only community-based literacy centre specializing in reading intervention and dyslexia support with proven reading success for all ages. “Be a Reader” drives their plan to triple their capacity in the region through this competition.
• Gan Fitness Centre ( gan-fitness-centre.square.site ) – A welcoming fitness hub that promotes health, strength, and community for people of all ages and abilities. The competition will support Gan Fitness to expand and renovate to fill key gaps in local recreation and wellness options.
• GreenVeil Packaging (greenveilpackaging.com) is a sustainable cleantech startup developing ultra-biodegradable and antimicrobial materials made from locally sourced minerals and wood by-products for food packaging and agricultural applications. GreenVeil is using the competition to launch its technology locally and accelerate the setup of its pilot production line at the Kemptville Campus.
• Monday Nutrition (mondaynutrition.com) – A health food store and wellness hub in Spencerville offering nutritious food and community programs that support healthy living. The competition will help Monday Nutrition expand in-house food production and invest in hiring and staff training.
• Tempo Drive Music Studio (tempodrivemusic.com) – A music school offering piano and instrument lessons for all ages, encouraging creativity and performance skills. Tempo Drive will use the competition to support their move from a home studio to a commercial space, quadrupling capacity and creating a hub for music learning and workshops.
• QueenCare (queencare.ca) – A wellness organization that supports women and families from pregnancy through postpartum with education and hands-on care. The competition will support QueenCare to launch a 1:1 Postpartum Depression Mentorship Program to meet a vital need in the community.

A Celebration of Local Talent:

“These six finalists represent the bold ideas, hard work, and community spirit that make Leeds Grenville such a dynamic place to do business,” said Trish McNamara, Executive Director of 1000 Islands Community Development Corporation. “The energy and innovation in this region are incredible. Every applicant brought something inspiring to the table.”

Katie Nolan, Executive Director of Community Futures Grenville, added: “It’s been amazing to see the creativity and courage of so many entrepreneurs stepping forward in this first year. Every single applicant should be proud. This competition celebrates our finalists, as well as the entrepreneurial heart of Leeds and Grenville.”

Powered by Community:

This exciting new competition has been made possible by the incredible support of community sponsors who came together to champion entrepreneurship in Leeds-Grenville.

A special thank-you goes to iTrepreneur, the Innovation Sponsor, providing all finalists with access to the world’s most accessible AI-powered business coaching platform — ensuring every entrepreneur continues to grow and succeed.

For a full list of sponsors, visit www.lggreatestentrepreneur.ca.

About Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur:

Leeds Grenville’s Greatest Entrepreneur is an initiative of Community Futures Grenville and 1000 Islands CDC. The competition supports entrepreneurs with expert coaching, public exposure, and access to substantial funding to help accelerate business growth.