École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec

What École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec does

École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec (ÉEQ) is a public continuing education institution dedicated to entrepreneurship training, operated as a division of Cégep Garneau under Quebec's Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur. Founded around 2015 and headquartered at 1530 boul. de l'Entente in Québec City, the school runs four core programs (Démarrage, Catalyseur, Relève PME, and Franchise) plus specialized offerings (Comité aviseur, Accompagnement, Perfectionnement, Formation sur mesure), serving approximately 250 entrepreneurs annually with 60% of Démarrage graduates launching a business within one year. Its core technology is a classroom-and-coaching service model — no proprietary platform — delivered through hybrid in-person and online formats with enrollment managed via Cégep Garneau's SRACQ admission system and the Brio Education platform for online cohorts.

The business model is a fee-for-service educational institution with significant government subsidy: Démarrage tuition is approximately $280 and eligible for government student loans, the Franchise certification is $695 + taxes and subsidized by the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education, the Advisory Committee module is $94 per session, and coworking/incubator rentals provide recurring revenue. The institution monetizes through individual tuition, coworking subscriptions, custom corporate training, and a network of more than 40 institutional partners (Desjardins, BDC, Futurpreneur, CDPQ, Ville de Québec, Québec International, Lavery, BCF, ROBIC, Leclerc Communication, and others) that provide financing, legal services, mentorship, and referrals. Customer segments span pre-launch aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage operators (6-60 months), franchise buyers, business succession cédants and repreneurs, and growth-stage TPE-PMEs requiring advisory committee governance support.

The school's competitive positioning rests on public-institution backing (granting official AEC and collégiale certifications), a network of 30+ active entrepreneur-trainers who run their own businesses, 15+ external specialists, and a physical co-location of training, coworking, and incubator facilities that produces community effects difficult for private competitors to replicate. Leadership comprises Julie Hains (Directrice) and Anthony Genest (Directeur adjoint), with an 18-person staff and reported serving scale of 250 entrepreneurs across programs.

Name

École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec

Legal name

Cégep Garneau

Website

https://ecoleentrepreneuriat.com

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec is a public continuing education institution operated by Cégep Garneau that delivers accredited entrepreneurship training programs (Démarrage, Catalyseur, Franchise, Relève PME, Comité aviseur), coworking/incubator space, and coaching to aspiring and operating entrepreneurs across Quebec.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Education and Training

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Entrepreneurship & Small Business Workforce Programs (EDAAAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI), Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship training
• Business coaching
• Business succession planning
• Franchise certification
• Small business incubation

Headquarters

HQ city

Québec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training programs (fee-for-service and government-subsidized): The school charges tuition for its training programs. The Démarrage program costs approximately $280 and is eligible for government student loans (prêts et bourses). The Franchise certification costs $695 + taxes, subsidized by the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education. The Advisory Committee module costs $94 per session. Programs generate revenue through student tuition fees funded by a mix of government subsidies, student financial aid, and direct payments.
2. Professional development workshops: Short-duration professional development courses (Administration, IT, HR, Office software, Transport & Logistics) offered in partnership with Cégep Garneau's continuing education division, generating course fee revenue.
3. Coworking and incubator space rental: Flexible, affordable rental packages for coworking desks and individual office spaces in an incubator setting, with access to resources including fiber WiFi, free phone service (including long distance within Canada), conference rooms, event space, and a bistro. Free trial offers are used as a customer acquisition tool.
4. Custom / on-demand corporate training: Fully customized training programs for organizations, offered in partnership with Cégep Garneau's continuing education and business services division. Delivered in virtual, in-person, hybrid, and co-modal formats with flexible scheduling.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec is an entrepreneurship training school operated by Cégep Garneau's continuing education division. It delivers college-accredited programs (Démarrage, Catalyseur, Relève PME, Franchise, Comité aviseur) covering the full entrepreneurial lifecycle from idea validation to business succession, alongside coworking/incubator space, personalized coaching, and custom corporate training. Programs lead to recognized credentials such as the Attestation d'études collégiales (AEC) and Certification collégiale, with delivery in hybrid and online formats.

Product overview

École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec operates as a multi-module educational platform offering four core entrepreneurship programs (Démarrage, Catalyseur, Relève PME, and Franchise) plus specialized programs (Comité aviseur) and supplementary services (Perfectionnement, Accompagnement, Espaces de travail, and Formation sur mesure). The programs range from 66 to 150 hours of training, with some leading to recognized college-level certifications (Attestation d'études collégiales and Certification collégiale).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Démarrage A 150-hour entrepreneurship training program for individuals with a business idea who want to launch a viable business within 6-12 months. Hybrid format (80% in-person, 20% online), with 48 hours of coworking and 7 hours of individual coaching. Successful completion leads to an Attestation d'études collégiales (AEC) in business startup and management.
• Catalyseur A customized training and coaching program for entrepreneurs who have been in business 6-60 months and want to propel their business to the next level. Combines training and personalized coaching adapted to business needs in financial management, team building, commercialization, strategic planning, and market expansion.
• Relève PME A 66-hour training program combining formation and personalized support for business succession planning, designed for both successors (repreneurs) and current owners (cédants). Covers business transfer planning, leadership transition, governance, financial and legal preparation, and change management. Successful completion leads to a Certification collégiale. Co-developed with Mallette accounting firm.
• Franchise A 72-hour collegiate certification program (Certification collégiale en acquisition et gestion d'une franchise) for individuals wanting to acquire or improve management of a franchise. Delivered 100% online via the Brio Education platform, 17 weeks, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Total cost $695 + taxes, subsidized by the Quebec Ministry of Higher Education. Co-developed with Collège Montmorency and the Conseil québécois de la franchise.
• Comité aviseur Program to recruit, train, and establish advisory committees for TPE-PMEs with high growth potential. Delivered via individual modules priced at $94 per session, backed by Ville de Québec's Vision entrepreneuriale Québec 2026 initiative.
• Perfectionnement Short-duration professional development workshops offered in partnership with Cégep Garneau's continuing education division. Covers administration, IT, human resources, office software, transport and logistics.
• Accompagnement Personalized coaching and support services for entrepreneurs, including business plan preparation, service validation, brand positioning, web presence analysis, sales acceleration, financing research, and partnership strategy.
• Espaces de travail (Coworking and Incubateur) Rental workspaces including coworking spaces and individual incubator offices offered at affordable rates. Includes fiber optic WiFi, free phone service (including long distance within Canada), conference rooms, event space, and an on-site bistro. Free trial days available as an acquisition touchpoint.
• Formation sur mesure Fully customized training programs for organizations offered in partnership with Cégep Garneau's continuing education and business services division. Delivered in virtual, in-person, hybrid, and co-modal formats with flexible scheduling (day or evening).

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% of Démarrage program graduates launch their business within one year of completion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Cégep Garneau (Formation continue et services aux entreprises)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCégep Garneau is the parent institution that operates the École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec. It handles admissions (SRACQ), grants official college-level accreditations (AEC and certifications collégiales), and provides institutional infrastructure. All programs are offered under the Cégep Garneau banner. The school is located at the Cégep Garneau campus at 1530 boul. de l'Entante, Québec.
• MallettecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMallette, a major accounting and advisory firm in Quebec, co-developed the Relève PME program alongside the school's continuing education division. Mallette professionals contribute expertise in accounting, taxation, and business transfer advisory services.
• Collège Montmorency (Formation continue)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollège Montmorency collaborated with the École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec and the Conseil québécois de la franchise to develop the collegiate certification in franchise acquisition and management (72-hour certification).
• Québec InternationalmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerQuébec International, the regional economic development agency, supports the Catalyseur program and provides access to its network of businesses and resources for growth-stage entrepreneurs in the Quebec City region.
• Ville de QuébecmajorOthersThe Ville de Québec is a major institutional partner, notably through the Vision entrepreneuriale Québec 2026 initiative which financially supports the school's Advisory Committee program. The city is also listed as a partner/donor on the About page.
• Conseil québécois de la franchisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CQF participated in the development of the Franchise certification program alongside the school and Collège Montmorency, providing franchise industry expertise and validation.
• Lavery AvocatsminorOthersLavery is a major Quebec law firm listed as a donor/partner supporting the school's mission.
• BCF Avocats d'affairesminorOthersBCF Business Lawyers is listed as a donor/partner supporting the school.
• Leclerc CommunicationminorOthersLeclerc Communication is listed as a donor/partner and offers the Bourse Leclerc Communication, a $9,700 scholarship for the best communications plan per cohort.
• Lévesque LavoieminorOthersLévesque Lavoie, an accounting firm, is listed as a donor/partner supporting the school.
• ROBICminorOthersROBIC, a law firm specializing in intellectual property, is listed as a donor/partner.
• La Capitale Assurances et services financiersminorOthersLa Capitale Insurance and Financial Services is listed as a donor/partner supporting the school's ecosystem.
• Vigi QuébecminorOthersVigi Québec is listed as a partner supporting the school's mission.
• Administration portuaire de QuébecminorOthersThe Port of Quebec Administration is listed as a donor/partner supporting the school's mission.
• COGECOminorOthersCOGECO, a telecommunications company, is listed as a donor/partner supporting the school's ecosystem.
• SAGE - Mentorat d'affairesminorOthersSAGE Business Mentoring is listed as a donor/partner supporting the school's mentorship ecosystem.
• Jeux du Commerce (JCCQ)minorOthersJCCQ is listed as a partner on the homepage ecosystem section, suggesting involvement in the entrepreneurial community network.
• La Ruche QuébecmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Ruche Québec is a crowdfunding and entrepreneurial support platform that partners with the school to support entrepreneurs in accessing funding and community resources.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• District 3 (D3): Montreal-based innovation center affiliated with Concordia University offering startup acceleration and entrepreneurship programs. Comparable academic-affiliated entrepreneurship training model, but with a tech focus and Montreal geography.
• Notman House: Montreal-based startup hub and community space for entrepreneurs, offering events, coworking, and programming. Comparable community-led entrepreneur support model but regional to Montreal.
• Centech: Montreal-based deep-tech accelerator and incubator operated by ÉTS. Comparable entrepreneurship support model (acceleration, coworking, mentorship) targeting tech entrepreneurs, but focused on the Greater Montreal area rather than Quebec City.
• Esplanade Montréal: Montreal-based social entrepreneurship support organization offering incubation, training, and community programs for impact-driven entrepreneurs. Comparable mission and target segment (mission-driven/SME entrepreneurs) but regional focus on Montreal.

Direct peers

• École des entrepreneurs du Québec (EEQ): A Quebec-based non-profit entrepreneurship training organization offering bootcamps, workshops, and coaching across Quebec. Direct peer offering similar entrepreneurship development programs to the same regional market, though without the Cégep accreditation and coworking/incubator infrastructure.
• La Ruche Québec: Quebec-based crowdfunding and entrepreneurial support platform. Direct peer in the Quebec entrepreneur support ecosystem and explicitly a strategic partner of the school for funding access.
• Founder Institute: Global pre-seed accelerator offering structured entrepreneurship training programs with mentorship cohorts. Comparable cohort-based, mentor-driven model for aspiring entrepreneurs, though operating at much larger scale globally.
• Futurpreneur Canada: National non-profit providing startup financing, mentorship, and resources for young entrepreneurs (18-39). A direct peer in the entrepreneurship training/financing ecosystem, and explicitly listed as a financial partner of the subject school.

Broad incumbents

• BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada): Canada's primary SME development bank offering financing, advisory, and online entrepreneurship resources. A broad incumbent that overlaps with the school's SME training/financing mandate and is a partner of the school.
• Desjardins Entreprises: Quebec cooperative financial group offering SME financing, advisory, and entrepreneurship programs. Overlaps with the school's entrepreneur support services and is a major institutional partner.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtU6dhFnLQvx_5Y0eiFs2LA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ecoleentqc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/ecoleentrepreneuriatquebec

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 École d'entrepreneuriat de Québec