MAIN 2026 Summit: The major annual gathering of entrepreneurship support professionals is coming to Shawinigan!

The seventh edition of the MAIN Summit, the annual gathering of professionals in innovative entrepreneurship support in Quebec, will be held on February 11 and 12, 2026, in the Mauricie region, at the Alphonse-Desjardins Entrepreneurship Center in Shawinigan (CEADS).

This decision follows a call for proposals issued by MAIN, which selected CEADS as the host for the 2026 edition.

What is the MAIN Summit?

Bringing together entrepreneurship support professionals from across Quebec every year, the MAIN Summit is recognized as the premier gathering for entrepreneurship support professionals in Quebec.

The next edition will be held:

February 11, 2026 (all day)

February 12, 2026 (morning), a look into the local entrepreneurial ecosystem

The decision to partner with CEADS to host its 2026 Summit is part of MAIN’s commitment to establishing a presence in a location that symbolizes Quebec’s entrepreneurial history. The MAIN Summit provides an opportunity for stakeholders in the ecosystem to exchange ideas, collectively reflect on strategic issues, and help support innovative entrepreneurs.

“The MAIN Summit is an opportunity to come together, share what unites us as a support community, and reflect together on the path ahead. Each summit allows us to move forward collectively in support of innovative entrepreneurs ” , says Louis-Félix Binette, Executive Director of MAIN.

“ In Shawinigan, our history shows that we’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. However, we had to reignite it 15 years ago, when major industries began closing one after another. In a short time, entrepreneurship once again became a promising option for our residents. We’ve built a strong ecosystem to support and foster initiatives, and we’ve also focused on young people! Today, we’re very proud of how far we’ve come, and we continue to work hard to support entrepreneurship in all its forms. So it’s excellent news to host the MAIN Summit. This event aligns perfectly with our goals and ambitions.“,” said Michel Angers, mayor of Shawinigan

“ “We are delighted to host the Summit in Shawinigan. This event aligns perfectly with our efforts to build a vibrant and successful entrepreneurial ecosystem, including our 2025 Entrepreneurship Forum, which will set the stage for the Summit and ensure we stay informed about best practices and strategies to support entrepreneurs—both women and men—and the growth of their businesses.”“ ” said Véronique Buisson, executive director of the Alphonse Desjardins Entrepreneurship Center in Shawinigan.

About MAIN

MAIN is committed to building an inclusive and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem, designed by and for entrepreneurs. Its renewed mission is to empower entrepreneurs to take risks by providing simplified, relevant, and timely access to support resources, strengthening collaboration among ecosystem stakeholders, and developing tools that support their long-term impact.

About CEADS

CEADS is a comprehensive ecosystem of services for startups and growing businesses. This solidarity cooperative is committed to actively contributing to the development of entrepreneurship and the creation of businesses by helping project leaders and entrepreneurs build successful ventures.