Centre Eurêka

What Centre Eurêka does

Centre Eurêka inc. is a Quebec-incorporated non-profit organization founded in 1976 in Laval by Gaston Chalifoux and relocated in 1987 to Montreal's Sud-Ouest borough, where it has since operated from a single office at 4377 rue Notre-Dame Ouest. The organization provides free career counseling, job-search coaching, CV preparation, video-based interview simulation, and a 9-month personalized accompaniment program exclusively to unemployed individuals aged 40 and over residing on Montreal Island, serving roughly 350 participants per year with a reported placement rate of approximately 80% (cumulative ~30,000 people since 1976). It also offers a smaller business services track (candidate selection, competency evaluation, wage-subsidy internship placement) for employers seeking to hire 40+ workers.

The operating model is service-based rather than technology-based: there is no proprietary software platform, app, or AI/ML capability disclosed, with the most advanced component being a video interview simulation tool used for human-led feedback. Counselors deliver weekly or biweekly in-person meetings (45 minutes to 1 hour), supplemented by phone intake, online registration, and access to an on-site resource center with computers, printers, and high-speed internet.

Centre Eurêka is funded primarily by Emploi-Québec de l'île-de-Montréal under a managed-services arrangement, supplemented by tax-deductible charitable donations from businesses and individuals (charity number 120117452RR0001). All services are provided at no charge to eligible participants. The organization holds RSSMO accreditation as one of 48 specialized employability non-profits in Quebec and maintains partnerships with provincial and federal employment bodies (MESS, Emploi et Développement social Canada), local economic development organizations (RESO), and consular partners. The 12-person team is led by Director General Paul Gagner, who has held the role since November 2001.

Name

Centre Eurêka

Legal name

Centre Eurêka inc.

Website

https://centreeureka.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centre Eurêka is a Quebec non-profit founded in 1976 that provides free career counseling, job-search coaching, and a 9-month accompaniment program exclusively to unemployed individuals aged 40 and over residing on Montreal Island, serving roughly 350 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Career Counseling Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Job Placement, Matching & Career Navigation Services (EDAAAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO), Workforce Development & Inclusive Employment (Job Training, Placement) (BPAGALAB)

Keywords

• Career counseling services
• Job placement support
• Employment counseling
• Older worker employment
• Job search coaching

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary funding from Employment Quebec (Emploi-Québec) of Montreal Island, providing services at no cost to eligible participants (40+ unemployed job seekers).
2. Donations: Charitable donations from businesses and individuals to fund additional resources, equipment, and materials. Tax-deductible receipts issued (Charity number: 120117452RR0001).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centre Eurêka provides free career counseling and job placement services to unemployed individuals aged 40 and over residing on the island of Montreal. The organization offers individual advisor meetings, CV preparation, interview simulation, job search strategy development, and access to a computer/documentation center. It also provides recruitment support and wage subsidy programs for employers seeking to hire workers aged 40 and over.

Product overview

Centre Eurêka operates as a single unified service offering focused on career counseling and employment support for individuals aged 40 and over in Montreal. The organization provides two integrated service tracks: career counseling services for job seekers (individual meetings, CV preparation, interview simulation, job search support) and business services for employers (recruitment assistance, candidate evaluation, and wage subsidies). All services are free for participants, funded through partnerships with government bodies including Emploi-Québec.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Services aux particuliers (Career Counseling Services) Career counseling and job placement support services for unemployed individuals aged 40 and over in the Montreal metropolitan area. Services include individual advisor meetings, CV preparation, interview simulation, job search strategy development, and access to computer workstations and documentation center. Delivered one-on-one by RSSMO-certified professional counselors.
• Services aux entreprises (Business Services) Recruitment and staffing support services for employers seeking to hire workers aged 40 and over. Includes candidate selection assistance, competency evaluation, recruitment tool customization, and wage subsidy programs for employer internship placements.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 80% placement rate
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Emploi-QuébeccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary government funding partner providing financial support for operations. Services are offered to 40+ unemployed individuals through this partnership.
• RSSMO (Réseau des services spécialisés de main-d'œuvre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial association of 48 non-profit organizations dedicated to employability. Provides certification and professional development for Centre Eurêka staff.
• Emploi et Développement social CanadaminorOthersFederal government department related to employment and social development.
• Ministère de l'Emploi, de la Solidarité sociale (MESS)minorOthersQuebec provincial ministry overseeing employment and social solidarity programs.
• Association Midi-QuaranteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation focused on mid-life employment issues and support.
• Regroupement pour la relance économique et sociale du Sud-Ouest (RESO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal economic and social development organization for the Sud-Ouest borough of Montreal.
• Commission des partenaires du marché du travailminorOthersQuebec government body bringing together labor market partners.
• Juristes à DomicileminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing legal services support to participants.
• Ambassade de la République Tunisienne à OttawaminorOthersTunisian embassy in Ottawa, listed among affiliated embassies.
• Consulat de la République Tunisienne à MontréalminorOthersTunisian consulate in Montreal, listed among affiliated embassies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• YES Employment + Entrepreneurship: Canadian non-profit delivering employment counseling, job placement, and employability programs, with bilingual Montreal presence. Comparable career-services model targeting job seekers, though broader in demographic scope than Centre Eurêka's 40+ focus.
• Option Carrières: Quebec-based non-profit employment service offering career counseling, job search support, and employability programs to adult job seekers. Directly comparable to Centre Eurêka in mission, geography, funding model (government subsidies), and target population, though less specialized on the 40+ segment.
• Groupe Aide-Carrière (GAC): Quebec non-profit providing career management and job search support services to adults, including older workers, with Emploi-Québec and RSSMO-aligned funding. Comparable mission, model, and customer base as Centre Eurêka.
• Service d'aide à l'emploi (SAE) de l'Île de Montréal: Montreal-based non-profit employment services organization funded by Emploi-Québec that delivers individualized counseling, CV preparation, and job placement support to unemployed adults. Operates an essentially identical service model to Centre Eurêka in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• Randstad Canada: Large multinational staffing and recruitment firm operating across Canada, including Quebec. While serving a much broader audience and operating a fee-based model, it is a relevant incumbent in the broader employment placement category in which Centre Eurêka competes.
• Adecco Canada: Global staffing and employment placement company with significant Canadian and Quebec operations. Comparable on the placement-agency dimension but commercially distinct from Centre Eurêka's non-profit, government-funded model.
• Service Canada - Older Worker Programs: Federal government employment services branch that funds and delivers employability supports, including for older workers. Operates as a broader incumbent funder/competitor in the same policy and customer space as Centre Eurêka.

Emerging players

• Carrefour jeunesse-emploi (CJE): Quebec network of non-profit employability organizations serving youth (typically 16–35). Operates the same RSSMO/Emploi-Québec-funded model as Centre Eurêka but for the opposite end of the age spectrum; relevant as a structural peer in the Quebec employability ecosystem.

Others

• Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT): Quebec government body overseeing the labour-market partner ecosystem and funding specialized employability programs. Functions as a funder/regulator peer to Centre Eurêka's primary revenue source, Emploi-Québec.
• Regroupement des services spécialisés de main-d'œuvre (RSSMO): Quebec provincial network of 48 non-profit employability organizations of which Centre Eurêka is a member and accredited provider. Sister network members are direct operational peers; the network itself is the certifying body and ecosystem hub.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CentreEureka
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centre-eur%C3%AAka

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Centre Eurêka