Now, a look back at a pivotal year for the organization’s hands
Published on July 31, 2024
for a new fiscal year, running from April 1 to March 31, main publishes its annual report. Over the past year, we have reassessed our partnerships and reaffirmed our strategic priorities; this report reflects a pivotal period for the organization.
Some highlights:
a fifth Sommet des accélérateurs
From February 14 to 16, 2024, more than 200 stakeholders in the field of business support—including researchers, companies, and support organizations—gathered at the Manoir du Lac Delage in the Capitale-Nationale region. It was during the Sommet des accélérateurs that we announced the launch of a new initiative to bring together those dedicated to supporting innovative companies: the Circle of Business Support Professionals
momentumPI
With the ambitious goal of supporting nearly 1,000 IP interventions that will enable more than 600 startups to develop an IP strategy or implement part of one, the momentumPI service—a spin-off of the ÉleverlaPI program funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)—has been in operation since September 2023. We rely on exceptional partners and the contributions of IP firms to ensure that the entrepreneurs who use the service are in good hands and receive high-quality support at a fair and reasonable price.
“The world has changed, certainly, but not enough. We have much more to do, and we must do much better if we still hope to make Quebec a net contributor to the renewal of the global economy. Boasting about our achievements, changing the signs, and repainting the walls of our institutions will not be enough. We must keep moving forward, be wary of our certainties, and refuse to be lulled by their comfort.”
– Louis-Félix Binette, Executive Director
perséis
Following the launch of Perséis—a research-society hub for innovative and scientific entrepreneurship co-developed with the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ)—a call for proposals was issued in May 2023 to launch seven collaborative research projects focused on priority needs. In addition, the Sommet des accélérateurs provided an opportunity to facilitate roundtable discussions to reflect on and begin a collaborative process addressing issues raised by the ecosystem.
Continuum Startup
For several years now, thanks to Desjardins’ support, we have been working to establish a continuum of support designed specifically to help entrepreneurs make the most of their progress by providing them with the right resources. These efforts include referrals and the establishment of partnerships with organizations such as Propulsion Québec and the INRS.
fundraising training
Front Row Ventures, in collaboration with MAIN and Espace CDPQ, officially launched an online course on venture capital in December 2023, designed for business support organizations and startups. This learning program provides an understanding of the basics of fundraising and how to support startups throughout their journey.