Success for Le Grand Saut: a hundred people gather to lift the taboo on mental health among entrepreneurs

QUEBEC CITY, November 21, 2024 - Le Grand Saut brought together over 100 entrepreneurs, coaches, experts and decision-makers on November 21 for a major event aimed at breaking the taboo of mental health in the world of innovative entrepreneurship.

This large-scale event took place in a spirit of support, collaboration and awareness-raising, offering participants a privileged space to discuss psychological and emotional challenges that are often ignored or downplayed in their daily lives.

The aim of Le Grand Saut was to enable entrepreneurs, who are often perceived as unshakeable "superheroes", to share their experiences and personal mental health challenges without fear of judgment. Faced with a demanding professional reality, the event was an essential step towards creating a space for entrepreneurs to talk and listen.

In addition to conferences, panels and workshops, the event was also a place for concerted action to map out a future in which the overall health of the entrepreneur is placed at the heart of Quebec's economic priorities. Those present contributed to the reflection aimed at avoiding duplication of effort and working in silos.

Le Grand Saut was made possible thanks to the entrepreneurial vision of Québec 2026, propelled by the Fonds de la région de la Capitale-Nationale, and the financial contribution of the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie du Québec (MEIE).

This event marks an important milestone in the Le Parachute initiative, which aims to raise awareness among innovative entrepreneurs of the key role that good mental health plays in achieving the business objectives of their projects, and the recognition of mental health issues in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Created in 2020 in the Capitale Nationale, Le Parachute is now piloted by the Mouvement des accélérateurs d'innovation du Québec, which has extended the initiative to 13 regions of Quebec thanks to the involvement of 48 organizations offering psychological support to the companies it accompanies. Since last May, Le Parachute has enabled over 70 innovative entrepreneurs to obtain 275 hours of free psychological support. 

In addition, Le Parachute deploys concrete actions throughout the year to equip and support entrepreneurs in the face of the demanding realities of their profession. Through online resources, workshops, conferences and peer support circles, Le Parachute pursues its mission to break the isolation of entrepreneurs, offer them opportunities for exchange and raise awareness of these crucial issues throughout the ecosystem.

In addition to providing direct support to entrepreneurs, Le Parachute also aims to train and equip those involved in coaching, so that they can spot signs of distress in the entrepreneurs they coach, and provide appropriate help before a crisis occurs. 

For more information, visit leparachute.ca

"Mental health is everyone's business. Thanks to Le Parachute and events like Le Grand Saut, we're taking concrete action to support a stronger, more resilient entrepreneurial community. Because a healthy mind is an essential pillar in the success of our businesses."

• Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister responsible for the Fight against Racism and Minister responsible for the Laval region

"Quebec City is proud to host events like Le Grand Saut that redefine the contours of entrepreneurial success. With entrepreneurship being one of our economic priorities, it's important to make the mental health of our entrepreneurs a key issue in sustaining our city's dynamism and prosperity."

• Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City

"An entrepreneur's most precious asset is his head. Without good mental health, we may have the best innovation to solve our society's biggest problems, but it will be impossible to succeed. By pooling our strengths and resources, we can create stronger, more resilient entrepreneurial communities and a richer, more competitive ecosystem on the global stage."

• Louis-Félix Binette, General Manager, Mouvement des accélérateurs d'innovation du Québec