MT Lab
MT Lab is a Montreal-based non-profit incubator-accelerator founded in 2017 that supports startups and established enterprises in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors across Quebec through five acceleration programs, three regional innovation poles, and curated open-innovation challenges.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersMontreal, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What MT Lab does
MT Lab is a Montreal-headquartered non-profit incubator-accelerator founded in 2017 by UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) and Tourisme Montréal, positioned as North America's first incubator-accelerator dedicated to the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors. The organization operates a platform-plus-programs architecture, delivering five core acceleration programs (Programme Maillage, Altitude t.e.c.h., Croissance, Empreinte+, and Explore France) alongside supporting services including the Répertoire de solutions innovantes (a curated directory of certified tourism solutions), a two-level Certification en innovation touristique, the MT Diag innovation-readiness diagnostic, co-working space, and project financing covering 75% of qualifying project value. It also operates three regional poles — Le Pôle (sustainable tourism in Quebec City, co-founded 2022 with Destination Québec cité), the Pôle d'innovation régénérative (Abitibi-Témiscamingue, launched 2025), and M Hub (social innovation in Mauricie, launched 2025).
The core technology is the open-innovation platform itself rather than a proprietary software stack: there is no disclosed API, SDK, or in-house technology product. Its competitive moat is built on a 12+ partner ecosystem spanning co-founders UQAM, ESG-UQAM, Tourisme Montréal, and Ville de Montréal, plus strategic partners including Port de Québec, Destination Québec cité, Tourisme Mauricie, and Quebec provincial ministries. The organization monetizes through non-dilutive government grants (e.g., $800,000 from Canada Economic Development in 2024) and partner cash contributions, offering its programs free of charge to selected startups. Its primary 'customers' are tourism and culture startups (early to growth-stage) and the established enterprises that co-participate as corporate partners in open-innovation challenges, reverse pitches, and Demo Days.
MT Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MT Lab
- Legal name
- MT Lab
- Website
- https://mtlab.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MT Lab is a Montreal-based non-profit incubator-accelerator founded in 2017 that supports startups and established enterprises in the tourism, culture, and entertainment sectors across Quebec through five acceleration programs, three regional innovation poles, and curated open-innovation challenges.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MT Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tourism Innovation Accelerator
- akta.pro primary industry
- Product & Innovation Summits (Roadmap, Launch Readiness, Innovation Days) (THAHAMAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits (THAHAMAH)
Keywords
Where MT Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montreal
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
MT Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Non-profit funding model: MT Lab operates as a non-profit organization funded primarily through government programs and partner contributions. Programs are provided free of charge to selected startups.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free incubator/accelerator programs for selected startups |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
MT Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MT Lab operates North America's first incubator-accelerator dedicated to tourism, culture and entertainment. It delivers free, structured acceleration and incubation programs (Maillage, Altitude t.e.c.h., Croissance, Empreinte+, Explore France) to selected startups, providing strategic coaching, mentorship, networking with major corporate partners and access to financing (up to $35,000). It also runs a tourism innovation certification, the MT Diag readiness diagnostic, a certified solutions directory, co-working space and three regional innovation hubs across Quebec.
Product overview
MT Lab operates as a platform-plus-programs architecture, functioning as North America's first incubator-accelerator dedicated to tourism, culture, and entertainment. Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of acceleration programs (Programme Maillage, Programme Altitude t.e.c.h., Programme Croissance, Programme Empreinte+, Programme Explore France) that provide startups with strategic support, coaching, networking with major industry partners, and access to financing (up to $35,000). Supporting services include the Répertoire de solutions innovantes (certified directory of innovative solutions), Certification en innovation touristique (two-level training program), MT Diag (holistic innovation readiness diagnostic), and Coworking spaces. The organization also operates three regional innovation hubs: Le Pôle (sustainable tourism in Quebec City), the Pôle d'innovation régénérative (regenerative innovation in Abitibi-Témiscamingue), and M Hub (social innovation in Mauricie). The Programme de financement de projets provides 75% project funding, while Appel à solutions/challenges address specific industry problems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Programme Maillage (Networking Program)
Quantifiable outcome
- 75% of selected startups survive after 5 years
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use MT Lab
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MT Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
MT Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and minor.
- UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal)coreCo-founder of MT Lab. Provides academic credibility, research capabilities, student talent pipeline, and campus facilities for the incubator's headquarters. ESG-UQAM is cited as a founding partner specifically.
- Tourisme MontréalcoreCo-founder of MT Lab. Major destination marketing organization providing industry expertise, corporate network access, and legitimacy in the Montreal tourism ecosystem.
- Destination Québec citécoreCo-founder of innovation poles within MT Lab's structure. Provides provincial tourism network access and destination marketing expertise beyond Montreal.
- ESG-UQAMflagshipNamed as founding partner alongside Ville de Montréal. Provides academic integration and business school resources for the innovation ecosystem.
- Ville de MontréalflagshipFounding partner providing municipal government backing, legitimacy, and potential access to city tourism infrastructure and policy support.
- Port de QuébecmajorMajor partner providing access to cruise terminal infrastructure and maritime tourism sector. Represents significant tourism asset in Quebec City.
- Tourisme MauricieminorRegional tourism partner expanding MT Lab's reach beyond major urban centers to the Mauricie region of Quebec.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MT Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform operating a dedicated Travel & Hospitality accelerator vertical that matches startups with corporate partners. Directly comparable to MT Lab's industry-specific accelerator model and corporate-startup matchmaking motion.
- Nexo (Spain Tourism Innovation Center): Spain-based publicly-supported tourism innovation platform supporting startups and corporate innovation in the travel and tourism vertical. Closely comparable as a government-backed tourism innovation hub with a similar mission to MT Lab.
Broad incumbents
- Station F: World's largest startup campus in Paris hosting thousands of startups across verticals including travel. Comparable as a mega-incubator connecting startups with corporate partners, though broader in scope than MT Lab's tourism focus.
- MaRS Discovery District: Toronto-based publicly-supported innovation hub offering programs, mentorship, and corporate partnerships across multiple sectors. Comparable as a Canadian innovation platform with similar mission and institutional structure to MT Lab, though not vertical-focused.
- Techstars: Global accelerator network with industry-specific programs and structured mentorship, demo days, and partner networks. Comparable as a structured accelerator with strong corporate-startup matchmaking, though broader in scope and venture-backed rather than non-profit.
Emerging players
- DMZ: Top-ranked Canadian startup incubator at Toronto Metropolitan University providing programs, mentorship, and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a Canadian innovation hub with a similar accelerator mission, though not tourism-specific.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MT Lab social profiles
Digital presenceMT Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MT Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
MT Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MT Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments3 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MT Lab
What does MT Lab do?
MT Lab operates North America's first incubator-accelerator dedicated to tourism, culture and entertainment. It delivers free, structured acceleration and incubation programs (Maillage, Altitude t.e.c.h., Croissance, Empreinte+, Explore France) to selected startups, providing strategic coaching, mentorship, networking with major corporate partners and access to financing (up to $35,000). It also runs a tourism innovation certification, the MT Diag readiness diagnostic, a certified solutions directory, co-working space and three regional innovation hubs across Quebec.
Is MT Lab a public or private company?
MT Lab is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MT Lab founded?
MT Lab was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MT Lab based?
MT Lab is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, in the North America region.
How does MT Lab make money?
One revenue line is on record: non-profit funding model.
Who are MT Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Plug and Play Tech Center and Nexo (Spain Tourism Innovation Center). Broad incumbents are Station F, MaRS Discovery District and Techstars. DMZ is listed as an emerging player.
Does MT Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for MT Lab.
What industry is MT Lab in?
MT Lab's product category is Tourism Innovation Accelerator. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHAMAG, Product & Innovation Summits (Roadmap, Launch Readiness, Innovation Days), with a secondary code of THAHAMAH, Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits.