momentumPI: making intellectual property a growth driver for Quebec startups

This morning, the Mouvement des accélérateurs d'innovation du Québec (MAIN) presented the terms and conditions of the momentumPIservice, offered in collaboration with Axelys and Quebec's gas pedals and incubators. Made possible by the ÉleverlaPI program of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, momentumPI will provide support to high-growth-potential companies with intellectual property (IP) needs.

By March 2026, MAIN plans to deploy close to 1,000 IP interventions, enabling at least 600 startups to implement an IP strategy, or part of one, at low cost. The service also plans awareness-raising and training activities on the issues and challenges of intellectual property management for companies and supporting organizations.

the creation of customized intellectual property strategies, closely aligned with business strategy, is a key ingredient in the success of our companies. momentumPI will help make intellectual property a real driver of growth, far more than just a defense mechanism.

alliances for optimal support and referral of companies

To realize this ambitious project, MAIN is leveraging existing skills and capabilities in Quebec's innovation ecosystem. First and foremost, its partnership with Axelys, a company in charge of accelerating the development, IP management and transfer of high-potential innovations stemming from public research in Quebec, will make the strategy creation service available to a large number of companies in all sectors.

in addition, following a public call for proposals, 4 consortia of gas pedals and incubators have been granted partner organization status to ensure effective delivery of momentumPI services to companies in certain strategic sectors:

• life sciences and health technologies, led by Montréal InVivo ;
• cultural and creative industries, tourism and sport, led by MT Lab, La Piscine and Mont X ;
• environment and clean technologies, run by the 2 Degrés incubator in partnership with Cycle Momentum ;
• deeptechled by INO/Quantino - this consortium will help make Quebec a true center of excellence in cutting-edge technologies.

MAIN will also collaborate with selected gas pedals and generalist incubators that support a large volume of companies, so that the momentumPI service fits naturally into the startup support pathway and builds on existing intellectual property resources.

For more information on momentumPI and its potential impact on your company or support organization, please contact us.

quotes

"Investment in intellectual property and innovation is crucial to propelling our economy to new heights. By supporting companies in the creation of sound intellectual property strategies, we are strengthening our economy for the long term, while paving the way for sustainable growth and enhanced competitiveness for our Canadian businesses," says the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.

"Axelys is proud to collaborate with momentumPI. Startups and SMEs with a well-established intellectual property strategy are more competitive, export more and have access to more financing. Supporting this approach is not enough; it must be closely integrated with the company's business model. One cannot be worked without the other, which is the basis of the support Axelys offers", Jesse Vincent-Herscovici, President and CEO, Axelys.

"The deployment of momentumPI continues MAIN's commitment to encouraging collaboration and the pooling of resources and targets between players in the Quebec startup ecosystem. All together, by specifically targeting intellectual property, we're going to give wings to over 600 companies with high growth potential, while strengthening our first lines of service, particularly in key innovation sectors. Collective action allows us to imagine even more ambitious support to ensure the long-term success of Quebec startups on the international scene," explains Louis-Félix Binette, MAIN's Managing Director.