What Quebec Tech does

Québec Tech is a non-profit economic development organization (OBNL) headquartered in Montreal that operates under a provincial mandate to accelerate the growth of Quebec-based technology startups with strong international export potential. The organization was formed in its current identity on July 10, 2024, following the rebranding of Startup Montreal — itself created by the February 2022 merger of Bonjour Startup Montreal and Fondation MTL — under a three-year, $7 million CAD grant from Quebec's Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE) as part of the SQRI2 2022-2027 research and innovation strategy. Québec Tech provides free, equity-free support services and operates a tiered program architecture: Stage V (personalized international commercialization for high-potential startups with 15 admitted annually), Stage Vo (structuring and validation phase), and Stage Vmax (companies generating $2.5M-$15M in revenue). The organization has served 20 companies through Stage V as of January 2025 and is committed to supporting 120+ startups through its $9M MEIE international expansion grant announced in December 2024.

Complementing its core acceleration programs, Québec Tech runs the Tech Connection Tour, a regional roadshow across six Quebec regions (Laurentians, Lanaudière, Montérégie, Centre-du-Québec, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec City) that matches SMEs with startup-developed technologies, and the "J'adopte le Québec Tech" movement plus Early-Adopters Network for technology adoption by established firms. International expansion is delivered through partnerships with Investissement Québec International, Quebec's General Delegations Abroad, Startup Genome (U.S. Market Preparation Program for 15 startups), Ignite Sweden (cross-Nordic Startup Matchday events), and active participation in VivaTech (Paris), Web Summit (Vancouver), and Francotech (Station F, Paris). Notable portfolio companies include Mely.AI, Clinia, Draft & Goal, Maket, BioIntelligence, MechaSys, Moduly, Opalia, Sollum Technologies, and SmartD Technologies, spanning AI/document processing, healthcare navigation, generative AI for architecture, bioprocess optimization, laser projection, energy management, cellular agriculture, and LED lighting.

The business model is entirely grant-funded: Québec Tech operates as a non-receiver of fees from startups or SMEs, with total disclosed government funding of $16.8 million CAD across 2024 ($7M MEIE for organizational mandate, $9M MEIE for direct startup international expansion, $800K DEC for operations through 2028). Its referral-based go-to-market draws on a network of 25+ partner organizations including Centech, CDL - Next AI, District 3, Cycle Momentum, Espace inc., Esplanade Québec, IVÉO, Garage & Co, and PME Montréal. Leadership comprises General Manager Richard Chénier (former General Manager of Centech), a board chaired by Sam Ramadori (LawZero) with Vice-Chair Louis Duchesne (Cossette) and directors from EY, RBC, Potloc, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg, and Cycle Momentum, plus observers from the City of Montreal and MEIE. The organization does not develop proprietary technology and is explicitly positioned as a coordination and commercialization vehicle for Quebec's tech ecosystem rather than a technology vendor.

Name

Quebec Tech

Legal name

Québec Tech

Website

https://quebectech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Québec Tech is a non-profit economic development organization that provides free, equity-free international commercialization support (Stage V, Stage Vo, Stage Vmax) to Quebec-based technology startups, funded entirely by provincial and federal Canadian government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Acceleration Services

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)

Keywords

• Startup acceleration services
• International commercialization support
• Technology adoption programs
• Economic development services
• Venture ecosystem support

Headquarters

HQ city

Metcalfe

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Québec Tech receives financial support from government sources including $7 million from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE) under the SQRI2 strategy, $9 million for directly funding startups' international expansion, and $800,000 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (DEC) as part of a $16 million package to 13 support organizations.
2. Services to Startups: Québec Tech provides free services to startups - there is no direct revenue model as the organization is non-profit. Services are funded through government grants and aim to stimulate local and international commercialization of Quebec tech products.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Quebec Tech is a non-profit economic development organization that provides equity-free, selective support services to high-potential Quebec-based technology startups, focused on international commercialization and local technology adoption. Its programs (Stage V, Stage Vo, Stage Vmax) pair startups with dedicated account managers, sector experts, and experienced entrepreneurs, while also facilitating SME-startup matchmaking through the Tech Connection Tour and the "J'adopte le Quebec Tech" movement.

Product overview

Quebec Tech operates as a non-profit economic development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected support programs for Quebec technology startups. The core offerings include Stage V, Stage Vo, and Stage Vmax - three tiers of selective acceleration services differentiated by company maturity and revenue stage. Stage V provides personalized international commercialization support for high-potential startups, Stage Vo targets companies in structuring/validation phases, and Stage Vmax serves revenue-generating companies ($2.5M-$15M). These programs are complemented by the Adoption of Quebec Technologies service and Early-Adopters Network, which facilitate technology matchmaking between SMEs and startups. The SME-Startup Networking Tour provides regional outreach across Quebec, while the U.S. Market Preparation Program offers targeted international expansion support. All services share a selective, agile, and equity-free approach focused on accelerating local and international commercialization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stage V A selective acceleration program for Quebec-based technology companies with strong international growth potential. Provides personalized support, customized action plans, dedicated account managers, expedited pathways to strategic opportunities, dedicated budget for expansion support, and access to world-class expertise.
• Stage Vo A complementary support program designed for Quebec technology companies in the structuring and validation phase of their international growth. Follows the same selective, entrepreneurial, agile, and equity-free approach as Stage V.
• Stage Vmax An advanced service tier under Stage V dedicated to companies generating between $2.5M and $15M in revenue, offering international growth support services and the Stage Vmax distinction.
• Adoption of Quebec Technologies A service helping established companies adopt technologies developed in Quebec through the "I Adopt Quebec's Tech" movement and tech matchmaking events, connecting large companies and SMEs with local technology solutions.
• Tech Connection Tour (SME-Startup Networking Tour) A collaborative initiative traveling across Quebec regions to facilitate connections between local SMEs seeking productivity solutions and tech startups offering innovative technologies, including virtual and in-person networking sessions.
• Early-Adopters Network A network of early adopters across all Quebec regions that help technology companies commercialize their innovations by providing testing environments, expertise, and market validation opportunities.
• International Commercial Success Services Comprehensive support for startups including market preparation (access to early adopters, business intelligence, international sales strategy), market credibility (business connections, product promotion, visibility), and market acquisition (expert linkages, sales cycle follow-up, new market penetration).
• U.S. Market Preparation Program A three-month program in partnership with Startup Genome supporting 15 Quebec startups in preparing for U.S. market entry, including group workshops, individual mentoring from Silicon Valley executives, and intensive training on product management and leadership.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% reduction in manually processed documents for SMEs adopting startup solutions
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability11 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Investissement Québec InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2024Key implementation partner for the $9M funding package to accelerate international expansion of high-growth-potential technology companies. Collaborates on selecting companies, identifying needs, facilitating access to capital, and organizing trade missions. Investissement Québec International assists in the entire process from company selection to market entry support.
• Québec's General Delegations AbroadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 December 2024Government representations in foreign countries that assist Quebec startups with international expansion activities, market entry support, and networking with local businesses and institutions.
• Startup GenomemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 October 2024Partnership to help 15 Quebec startups prepare for the U.S. market. Program includes group workshops on selling to American companies, access to U.S. clients and industry experts, individual mentoring with experienced Silicon Valley executives, and intensive eight-week training on product management, leadership, and team building delivered by Linky Product.
• Ignite SwedencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Partnership with Swedish non-profit organization supporting large Swedish corporations in integrating innovative solutions from Swedish or international startups. The collaboration includes Startup Matchday Sweden-Canada events connecting startups with corporations in forestry, sustainable resource management, and mining sectors. Five Swedish corporations met with 21 Quebec startups, and six Quebec corporations met with 31 Swedish startups.
• Stage V Referral Organizations NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 25+ organizations including 2 Degrés, ACET, Admare Bioinnovations, CDL - Next AI, CEIM, CQIB, CTS Santé, Centech, Cycle Momentum, District 3, Espace inc., Esplanade Québec, Garage & Co, Groupe 3737, IVÉO, Indie Asylum, Investissement Québec International, LE CAMP, La Base entrepreneuriale, MT Lab, McGill Dobson Center, PME Montréal, Quantino, and Zú that refer high-potential startups to the Stage V program.
• Linky ProductminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvider of intensive eight-week training on product management, leadership, and team building for Quebec startups preparing to enter the U.S. market through the Startup Genome program.
• ERACs (Espaces régionaux d'accélération et de croissance)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional Accelerator and Growth Spaces across Quebec collaborating on the Tech Connection Tour to identify SMEs with technological innovation needs and match them with startups that have solutions. Partners include Connexion Laurentides and Living Lab Lanaudière.
• Living Lab LanaudièreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional innovation platform collaborating on the Tech Connection Tour to identify SME needs and facilitate matching with appropriate technology solutions from Quebec startups.
• AirudiminorOthersAI-powered human-centered solutions startup selected by Québec Tech for the official delegation at Francotech 2024.
• BioIntelligenceminorOthersIntelligent instruments and software startup selected for Francotech 2024 official delegation to showcase innovations to heads of state including Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier François Legault.
• LexRock AIminorOthersAI platform for analyzing unstructured textual data selected for Francotech 2024 official delegation.
• OpaliaminorOthersCell-based dairy products startup selected for Francotech 2024 to represent Quebec's food technology sector.
• Sollum TechnologiesminorOthersDynamic LED lighting solution developer selected for Francotech 2024 delegation showcasing sustainable lighting innovations.
• SmartD TechnologiesminorOthersVariable frequency drive manufacturer selected for Francotech 2024 to showcase Quebec's advanced manufacturing technologies.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based innovation hub supporting high-growth startups with advisory services, talent connections, and capital linkages. Most directly comparable Canadian accelerator ecosystem coordinator with similar mandate of supporting tech commercialization at scale.
• Centech: Montreal-based deep-tech accelerator and startup support organization (and former employer of Québec Tech GM Richard Chénier). Comparable mission supporting Quebec tech startups through acceleration programs, mentorship, and ecosystem coordination.
• Creative Destruction Lab: Global seed-stage program for massively scalable science and technology-based ventures, with strong presence across Canadian cities. Comparable selective, mentor-driven approach to accelerating high-potential tech ventures toward commercialization.
• DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University): Leading Canadian startup accelerator offering incubation, mentorship, and international expansion support to tech startups. Comparable mandate of supporting tech founders through commercialization and global market entry.
• Invest Ottawa: Ottawa's lead economic development agency for tech with programs supporting startup growth, scale-up, and international expansion. Comparable government-affiliated economic development model focused on tech ecosystem coordination.
• Cycle Momentum: Quebec-based cleantech accelerator and founder development platform (and Québec Tech board member Patrick Gagné is CEO). Comparable mandate supporting high-growth tech ventures with commercialization expertise and investor connections.
• Startup Genome: Global startup ecosystem development organization and Québec Tech partner for U.S. market preparation programs. Comparable services in international market entry support, ecosystem research, and founder development.

Broad incumbents

• Station F: World's largest startup campus based in Paris — partner venue for Québec Tech's Francotech delegation. Comparable international startup hub model providing infrastructure, programming, and corporate-startup matchmaking.
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Canada's federal development bank providing capital and advisory services to Canadian entrepreneurs. Comparable mandate supporting Canadian tech ecosystem through government-backed capital, advisory, and ecosystem development.
• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed accelerator operating across 100+ cities including Montreal. Comparable selective, equity-free-style programming for early-stage founders building towards venture-fundable businesses.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/quebectech_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments7 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quebec Tech