What Prompt does

Prompt is a Quebec-based non-profit sectoral research consortium (Regroupement sectoriel de recherche industrielle, RSRI) founded in 2003 and operating under the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE). One of nine RSRIs in the province, it functions as a public-policy funding intermediary that channels government grants toward collaborative applied R&D projects between Quebec SMEs, large enterprises, and academic research partners. Its four mandated technology pillars are advanced AI, quantum computing/quantum communication, microelectronics, and optics/photonics, with secondary programs in cybersecurity, manufacturing productivity (SIPEM), GHG reduction (INNOV-R PME), strategic sectors, and cultural/creative industries (ALCHIMIA).

The organization does not build proprietary software or sell a product; instead it operates a portfolio of seven funding programs and an advisory service built on three operational modalities — direct advisor-led qualification, academic-research-center project management (which delivers 1:4 financial leverage, international expertise, and student talent integration), and an enterprise-managed grant pathway. Project qualification uses a Technology Readiness Level (TRL/NMT) scale of 1–9, and Prompt applies a management and communication fee of up to 5% on each supported project. Notable funded projects include Université de Sherbrooke x Pasqal quantum-AI ($1.85M total), Université de Sherbrooke x Teledyne DALSA microelectronics ($1.70M), Université de Sherbrooke x Irréversible Inc. analog AI hardware ($1.80M), Concordia University x Ericsson cloud-native telecom security ($1.58M), and Université de Sherbrooke x Umicore x Teledyne DALSA NANOGEM ($2.35M).

Prompt's revenue mechanics rest on three streams: government grants from MEIE (the dominant flow), 5% transactional fees on supported projects, and blended financing structuring with federal partners (NSERC, NRC, NRCan, FRQ). Its 14-person team is led by Executive Director Dominique St-Louis and supports 260 active members across Quebec, with a recent pivot toward international engagement via a 2024 protocol d'entente with South Korea, an Innovaud (Switzerland) partnership, and planned participation in Hannover Messe 2026. Over its 20+ year history, Prompt has supported 500+ projects representing $350M in cumulative project value, with $115M disbursed by Prompt itself.

Name

Prompt

Legal name

Prompt

Website

https://promptinnov.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Prompt is a Quebec non-profit sectoral research consortium (RSRI) that funds collaborative applied R&D between Quebec SMEs, enterprises, and universities across AI, quantum, microelectronics, and photonics. It serves 260+ active members through grant programs, advisor-led qualification, and academic matchmaking, with recent international expansion into South Korea and Switzerland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Technology Innovation Funding and Advisory Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Other Grantmaking and Giving Services (813219)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

Keywords

• Innovation funding programs
• Collaborative R&D
• Applied research grants
• Industry-academia partnerships
• Technology innovation intermediary

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants (MEIE) and Public Funding: Prompt is a non-profit trust organization of the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE) of Quebec. Its core funding comes from provincial government allocations to finance collaborative innovation projects. It redistributes these funds as grants to member companies and academic partners in AI, quantum, microelectronics, photonics, cybersecurity, manufacturing productivity, and GHG reduction.
2. Project Management & Communication Fees: For each supported project, Prompt charges management and communication fees of up to 5% of the project value. This represents a small transactional fee-based stream that partially offsets grant administrative costs.
3. Blended Financing Structuring: Prompt structures blended financing arrangements by combining its own grants with funds from other public and private funders (federal NSERC, NRC, NRCan, FRQ, MEIE). This acts as a financial intermediation / fund-management service rather than direct revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Prompt is a Quebec nonprofit innovation-funding organization that finances and supports collaborative applied R&D projects between Quebec companies (primarily SMEs) and academic research institutions across four technology pillars: advanced artificial intelligence, quantum computing/communication, microelectronics, and optics/photonics. It operates seven named funding programs (AI, Collaborative Innovation, Quantum Communications, Manufacturing Productivity/SIPEM, GHG Reduction/INNOV-R PME, Strategic Sectors, and PICQ Cybersecurity), plus a Business Advisory Service with assigned advisors, an Innovation Partner Matching service, and the recurring ALCHIMIA grant program for AI in cultural and creative industries.

Product overview

Prompt is a Quebec nonprofit innovation-funding organization (one of nine RSRIs) that operates a single platform-plus-modules architecture of funding programs and advisory services rather than a unified software product. Its core service — the Business Advisory Service — sits on top of a portfolio of named technology funding programs (Artificial Intelligence, Collaborative Innovation, Quantum Communications, Manufacturing Productivity / SIPEM, GHG Reduction / INNOV-R PME, Strategic Sectors, and the PICQ Cybersecurity program), which are referenced in the site navigation under "Opportunités." Layered onto this core are add-on offerings, including the Bourse ALCHIMIA grant program for AI in cultural/creative industries (tied to the recurring E-AI conference) and the Innovation Partner Matching service that connects businesses to academic or industrial partners. The whole platform is supported by a Funded Projects portfolio (Projets financés) that showcases collaborative R&D outcomes across Prompt's four technology pillars (advanced AI, quantum technologies, microelectronics, optics/photonics) and is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors representing industry, SMEs, academia, and CCTT research centres.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prompt Business Advisory Service (Services aux entreprises) Neutral, third-party advisory service for Quebec member companies providing an Innovation Readiness Assessment, a dedicated advisor for project assessment, technology monitoring, expert networking, funding-opportunity monitoring and blended-financing structuring, plus visibility and growth support through Prompt's communications and ecosystem. Targeted at Quebec SMEs, startups and large enterprises executing applied R&D in AI, quantum, microelectronics, photonics, cybersecurity, manufacturing productivity and GHG reduction.
• AI Funding Program (Programme en Intelligence artificielle) Prompt's core funding stream for collaborative applied-R&D projects in advanced artificial intelligence, supporting Quebec companies and academic partners through grants and advisory support. Used to fund initiatives such as AI-assisted legal document processing (ExplorAI) and AI for environmental management (ERA Environmental x Concordia University, $465,761 project value).
• Collaborative Innovation Program (Innovation collaborative) Funding program supporting collaborative applied research between Quebec companies and academic or public research centres (universities, CEGEPs, CCTTs, CRIM, CNRC) in the ICT sector, providing more than $21M to support Quebec's sectoral industrial research groups (RSRIs).
• Quantum Communications Program (Communication quantique) Funding stream dedicated to quantum communication technologies, supporting collaborative projects that leverage Quebec's quantum ecosystem (e.g., Universit\u00e9 de Sherbrooke Institut quantique, IBM Quantum System One at Bromont).
• Manufacturing Productivity Program / SIPEM (Productivit\u00e9 manufacturi\u00e8re) Manufacturing productivity and Industry 4.0 funding program (SIPEM) that supports Quebec SMEs through technology specifications and digital transformation initiatives. Per the 2025-2026 activity report, the program has propelled companies toward $260M in cumulative growth.
• GHG Reduction Program / INNOV-R PME (R\u00e9duction des GES) Funding program that finances Quebec SME innovation projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting climate-tech and clean-technology initiatives such as ERA Environmental x Concordia University's AI-driven environmental data integrity project ($465,761 project value).
• Strategic Sectors Program (Secteurs strat\u00e9giques) Funding program supporting innovation projects in Quebec's strategic sectors, including defense, cyber resilience, advanced manufacturing, supply chain/logistics, transportation, critical infrastructure, robotics, and telecommunications.
• PICQ Cybersecurity Program (Programme PICQ) Prompt's cybersecurity funding and support program, which has funded projects such as the Concordia University x Ericsson framework for securing cloud-native telecommunications environments ($1,580,303 total project value, $365,951 Prompt contribution).
• Bourse ALCHIMIA (ALCHIMIA Grant) Recurring grant program (tied to the E-AI conference) supporting projects integrating AI into cultural and creative industries. The 2026 edition awarded up to $40,000 to a winner (Gallea), $20,000 (Eureka Concept) and $10,000 (Above The Void); the 2025 edition offered up to $50,000 per project with $100,000 in total grants.
• Innovation Partner Matching (Recherche de partenaires d'innovation) Service that connects Quebec businesses seeking expertise with academic or industrial partners for collaborative innovation projects in Prompt's emerging-technology pillars (cybersecurity, AI, manufacturing productivity, GHG reduction, quantum). Excludes projects outside Prompt's scope.

Quantifiable outcome

• +500 projects funded across the lifetime of Prompt
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core, minor and flagship.

• Conseil de l'innovation du QuébecstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator listed on the Partners page. Prompt co-organizes flagship events such as PIVOT 2026 with the Conseil de l'innovation du Québec.
• ADRIQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator. ADRIQ awards the Prix Innovation to Prompt-funded projects (e.g., InfinityQ x Explorai).
• Numana (KIRQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator. Numana organizes cybersecurity events such as Humanitek 2026 alongside Prompt.
• PINQ2coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator and partner in the Quebec quantum-innovation ecosystem.
• DistriQ (Sherbrooke Quantum Innovation Zone)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator; central node for quantum technology projects funded by Prompt, including Université de Sherbrooke x Pasqal and Irréversible Inc. projects.
• IVADOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem collaborator in AI; cross-referenced as Prompt-funded project network partner.
• C2MI (Centre de Collaboration MiQro Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiQro Innovation Collaboration Centre — Quebec microelectronics innovation center, partner for microelectronics and hardware projects.
• CRIM (Centre de recherche informatique de Montréal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEligible public research partner under Prompt programs (FAQ explicitly lists CRIM as admissible research partner). Co-delivered the "Diagnostic IA CRIM & PROMPT" program.
• Prima QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvanced materials innovation cluster partner; coordinates on manufacturing and advanced-materials projects.
• CyberecocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of the Cyberconférence 2026 with Prompt.
• QuantinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantum-innovation ecosystem partner.
• Productique QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funded the Exonetik x Productique Québec additive-manufacturing design-guidelines project.
• CQDMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec Consortium for Drug Discovery — partner in Quebec life-sciences/biopharma R&D.
• CRIAQcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec aerospace research consortium — partner for cross-sector aerospace/manufacturing projects.
• CQRDAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec consortium for industrial research in aluminum — partner in materials/manufacturing R&D.
• MitacscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research intern/talent network — used to integrate student talent into Prompt-funded projects.
• CRIBIQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec Industrial Research Consortium on Biorefinery and Bioeconomy.
• CRITMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec Industrial Research Consortium on Marine Transportation.
• Innovee QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcosystem innovation network.
• MEDTEQ+minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec medical-technology industrial research consortium — partner for medtech projects.
• Université de SherbrookeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead academic partner across multiple funded projects (Pasqal, Teledyne DALSA, Umicore, Irréversible Inc., Laser Components Canada). Two Prompt board directors (Christian Sarra-Bournet from Institut quantique; Marie-Christine Ferland from CRVI).
• INRS (Institut national de la recherche scientifique)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEligible public research partner (FAQ).
• ÉTS (École de technologie supérieure)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEligible public research partner (FAQ). Director Julie Dassylva (Office of Partnership Initiatives, ÉTS) sits on Prompt's Board.
• McGill UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead academic partner. Director Kristina Öhrvall (Associate Vice-Principal, Research and Innovation) sits on Prompt's Board. Used for ERA Environmental and Concordia-side projects.
• UQAMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEligible public research partner; participates in multiple Prompt podcast projects (NOVALAIT x UQAM x MCGILL).
• Concordia UniversityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead academic partner for Concordia University x Ericsson (cloud-native telecom security, $1,580,303) and ERA Environmental x Concordia (AI environmental management, $465,761).
• Polytechnique MontréalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead academic partner for the quantum-machine-learning cybersecurity project with Thales Canada. Director Jacqueline Wallace sits on Prompt's Board.
• Université LavalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead academic partner for the human-machine collaboration project with Thales; Sébastien Tremblay (Co-DOT lab) is the principal investigator.
• Innovaud (Switzerland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINTERNATIONAL PROMPT x INNOVAUD partnership announced to support innovation in both Quebec and Switzerland.
• QV StudiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrompt et QV Studio partnership to propel tomorrow's quantum startups.
• IBMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROMPT attended the inauguration of the first IBM Quantum System One computer in Canada — strategic alignment around Quebec's quantum ecosystem.
• IMC2 (Institut multidisciplinaire en cybersécurité et cyberrésilience)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROMPT attended the inauguration of IMC2 — partnership in Quebec's cybersecurity research infrastructure.
• Government of South KoreacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrompt signed a protocol of understanding with Korea (announced as 'Signature d'un protocole d'entente avec la Corée') covering submarine bid support, hydrogen cooperation, critical minerals supply-chain diversification, shipbuilding, and industrial technology R&D.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• DistriQ: Sherbrooke Quantum Innovation Zone that co-funds quantum R&D projects with Prompt, including the Université de Sherbrooke x Pasqal and Irréversible Inc. projects. Overlapping mandate in the Quebec quantum ecosystem and shared academic partners.
• MEDTEQ+: Quebec medical-technology industrial research consortium and one of the nine RSRIs. Directly comparable RSRI structure and MEIE mandate, applied to medical technologies with overlapping funding intermediation and academic matchmaking model.
• IVADO: Quebec consortium for AI research and training, including HEC, Polytechnique Montréal, and Université de Montréal. Overlapping AI funding and ecosystem mandate with Prompt's AI program, and cross-referenced as a network partner in Prompt-funded projects.
• Prima Québec: Quebec advanced materials innovation cluster and one of the nine RSRIs. Directly comparable RSRI structure and MEIE funding intermediation model, focused on advanced materials; co-funds projects with Prompt's manufacturing productivity program.
• Mitacs: Canadian non-profit that funds industry-academic research collaborations and student internships with a similar intermediary model. Comparable in mandate of connecting industry with academic talent and structuring applied R&D programs at scale.
• ADRIQ: Association pour le développement de la recherche et de l'innovation du Québec — Quebec innovation ecosystem coordinator that awards the Prix Innovation (won by Prompt-funded InfinityQ x Explorai in 2025). Operates as ecosystem convener with overlapping member base.
• CRIAQ: Que Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (RSRI) — sibling RSRIs under MEIE. Directly comparable RSRI structure and industry-academic funding model, applied to the aerospace sector with overlapping enterprise members such as Thales.
• CQDM: Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery and one of the eight other Regroupements sectoriels de recherche industrielle (RSRIs). Directly comparable RSRI structure, MEIE mandate, and industry-academic funding intermediation model, focused on biopharma R&D.

Broad incumbents

• Investissement Québec: Quebec's provincial investment agency that manages grants and equity investments across all sectors of the economy. Administers Prompt-related grants (e.g., the $300,000 Illuxi grant in 2022) and is a key upstream funding source for Prompt's programs.
• NRC IRAP: National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program — federal R&D funding and advisory service for Canadian SMEs. Comparable intermediary role but at much larger federal scale and across all sectors, not sector-specific like Prompt.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/promptinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/promptinnov
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/prompt-quebec
• Xx.com/Prompt_Innov

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Prompt