Montreal, June 28, 2016 – The Société du Quartier de l’innovation de Montréal (QI), an outstanding showcase for innovation in Montreal, continues to fulfil its mission, relentlessly boosting the city’s vitality by implementing economic as well as cultural projects.
The Innovation Lab from the Fonds de solidarité FTQ and QI, a tangible means of supporting startups
The Innovation Lab, fruit of a partnership between the QI and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, will be up and running at the Salon 1861. It will provide helpful workspace for more than 20 fast-growing and innovative companies that fit with the very core of QI’s mission, which is to produce a creative, co-operative and dynamic platform devoted to the needs of innovative players. The Lab will give them the benefit of free workspace so that they can focus all their energy and financial means on completing their projects.
“A laboratory is, by definition, a place where a collection of creative minds can be found,” QI Executive Director Damien Silès stated. “Salon 1861 is the perfect spot for fulfilling this vision of a place that facilitates the blossoming of creative minds and companies that are seeking inventive ways to shape solutions to fit today’s realities. We acknowledge the financial involvement of a very special partner, the Fonds de solidarité FTQ, which, like us, believed in a project that offers direct assistance to young companies.”
For his part, Alain Denis, Senior Vice-President, New Economy, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, noted: “Innovation lies at the core of the Fonds de solidarité FTQ’s strategy. Over the years, the Fonds has invested more than $1 billion in specialized funds to support the innovation ecosystem. With this network of funds and the Innovation Lab, we will be better able to guide and support young entrepreneurs in a tangible way.”
QI is meeting its private financing goals
QI is a non-profit organization that relies in part on public funding but that also receives much of its financing from member universities and private partners. QI agreed with its public funders to obtain 50% of its financing from the private sector. And this challenge has been met! Nearly $2 million has been raised, ensuring participation by the private sector, universities and businesses for the next three years. With all members involved in its funding, QI is succeeding in establishing a set of initiatives and structure-enhancing projects that are enabling the Montreal innovation ecosystem to achieve favourable conditions for enhancing its profile here and abroad.
Members involved in its financing, whether public, academic or corporate bodies, all play a major role in QI’s success and in its mission of showcasing Montreal’s achievements.
“The Quartier de l’innovation is playing a leading role in the development of an innovative city, driven by young, promising businesses,” stated Dominique Anglade, Quebec Minister of the Economy, Science and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Digital Strategy. “Collaboration between the various parties involved in innovation and the pooling of knowledge and experience are essential conditions for the competitiveness and visibility of the Montreal region and of Quebec as a whole. The Quebec government is proud to be associated with this successful innovative ecosystem, which equals those of the world’s great cities.”
QI: a living environment, a cultural environment
QI is especially proud to present QI Signature. This cultural route is contributing to QI’s beautification by promoting a cultural experience that enriches the district’s street furniture along with its public space and social life. This project relies on the participation of companies and merchants through the sponsorship of nine artists who will be able to display their talent for the greater pleasure of the entire Montreal community. As well as helping anchor QI in the collective consciousness, the rollout of this public-art route will enable Montrealers and visitors to become more familiar with all of QI’s attractions. The strolling promenade, created in collaboration with the MASSIVart creative agency, is in place until October 31.
“This project is a perfect example of the partnership that is possible between artists and the business community,” said Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre. “Living together also means this sharing of richness for everyone’s well-being. In addition to strengthening the area’s identity through works reflecting QI, businesses that take part in sponsoring a work enable all Montrealers to become more familiar with the very idea of an innovation district. QI, by embracing every aspect of what creates our city’s drive and vitality, proudly represents what Montreal does best.”
For the promenade’s route:
www.quartierinnovationmontreal.com/qisignature
About the Quartier de l’innovation (QI)
The Quartier de l’innovation is an ecosystem of innovation in the heart of Montreal that aims to boost the potential for creativity in the city. QI was launched in May 2013 by École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), with McGill and Concordia universities joining the project in 2015. It focuses on the complementary resources of its founding institutions and numerous partners in research, training, innovation and entrepreneurship. QI is located between René Lévesque Boulevard and the Lachine Canal (north to south) and McGill Street and Atwater Avenue (east to west). It focuses its activity in four areas: training and research, social and cultural, industrial, and urban.
http://quartierinnovationmontreal.com/en/
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Source: Quartier de l’innovation
Media information:
Anik Le Marquand
514 843-2342
alemarquand@national.ca
Jean-Alexandre D’Etcheverry
514 843-2369
jadetcheverry@national.ca