The Legacy of La Certif’: Certification in Entrepreneurial Support
Published on April 15, 2025
As La Certif, a flagship initiative of HEC Montréal, came to a close two weeks ago, MAIN wanted to recognize the work of the La Certif’ team and the legacy it will leave for our ecosystem.
Certif’ has equipped numerous business mentors across Quebec with crucial skills, thereby enhancing their ability to support innovative companies. As a result, these professionals—whose job is to mentor entrepreneurs—have had access to high-quality training that has not only strengthened their expertise but also enriched their approach to mentoring.
The “La Certif’” Effect
- 108 people trained
- 59 participating organizations, including 25 outside the Montreal and Capitale-Nationale regions
- 47 speakers, both local and international (professors, professionals, entrepreneurs, and members of the ecosystem)
“The Certif’ program really helped me lay the foundation for my coaching practice. I’ve come away with a more empathetic approach, practical tools, and, above all, an approach deeply rooted in the realities faced by entrepreneurs. It was a wonderful opportunity to harness collective intelligence in support of local entrepreneurship.”
— Samuel Courtois, entrepreneurship advisor, Groupe 3737
In an interview with La Certif’ after participating in the first cohort, Mélanie Dubé, Entrepreneur Development Advisor at Entreprendre MRC Bécancour, stated that:
“It added another dimension to my training, opening me up to opportunities and resources I hadn’t anticipated. Now I’ve expanded my network within the ecosystem, and I can call so-and-so to chat for five minutes about a situation where I’d like some advice!”
“After completing the Certif’ program, I feel transformed. I feel like I have a fresh perspective on my work, and I feel more confident than ever in supporting our entrepreneurs at 2 Degrés!”
— Josyane Turgeon, Coordinator, Incubation Programs, 2 Degrés
So, what about La Certif’?
As the training program comes to a close, the impact of La Certif continues to spread throughout Quebec.
How? First, thanks to the knowledge that the 108 support professionals who completed the Certif’ program—including Samuel, Josyane, and Mélanie—can now share.
In addition, certain initiatives that emerged from teamwork during the Certif’ program highlighted three areas of focus that participants considered important:
- Place physical and mental health at the center of our support efforts;
- Promote more effective collaboration among support organizations, in particular by holding a meeting where those involved in providing support can come together;
- Incorporate societal impact more effectively into support initiatives.
In addition, you can watch 30 La Certif’ training videos on the Accès Entreprise Québec platform.
Finally, MAIN would like to highlight the tremendous work of Certif’s core team, who gave their all to deliver a flawless training program: Luis Cisneros, Gaëlle Hamon, Daniela Espinosa Gomez, Gabrielle Drouin, Enzo Kerioui, and Antoine Gence.
With our deepest gratitude,
MAIN.
What is La Certif’?
Certif’ was a professional certification program offered by HEC Montréal and funded by the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE). It was designed for organizations that provide support to entrepreneurs by training their mentors, thereby enabling them to demonstrate a solid foundation of relevant, high-quality knowledge.