La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal

What La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal does

La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal is a private non-profit (OBNL Impakt Entrepreneurial) university innovation hub, founded in 2014 and affiliated with HEC Montréal, that delivers free, structured entrepreneurship support programs to technology and impact-driven founders in Quebec. It operates a portfolio of seven cohort-based programs — Éclosion, Fondatrices, EntrePrism, Rémi-Marcoux, Accélérateur, Envergure, and Connexion — covering the full lifecycle from ideation and team formation through commercialization and high-growth scaling (target $10M+ revenue). All programs share a common trunk called the Cursus entrepreneurial (university-level workshops), supplemented by a mandatory IDEOS impact/sustainable-transition module co-developed with HEC Montréal's IDEOS research pole and a marketing/communications module co-developed with the RBC E-Commerce Chair. Participants receive individualized coaching, OKR-based group codevelopment, free legal and accounting support from partners Miller Thomson and MNP, and access to 70+ mentors plus the 100,000+ HEC Montréal alumni network.

The organization generates no revenue from participants — programs are valued at approximately $50,000 CAD per project but offered entirely free, with no equity taken. Operating funding comes from a mix of private donations, family foundations (Fondation Carmelle et Rémi Marcoux, Fondation Lise et Giuseppe Racanelli, John Dobson Foundation), major Canadian banks (Banque Nationale, Scotiabank, RBC), professional services partners (KPMG, MNP, Miller Thomson), and public grants — most recently a share of the Quebec government's $13.8M SQRI2 envelope allocated across 17 incubators in 2026. The core team is small (8 staff) and is supported by an extended mentor and entrepreneur-in-residence network. Distribution is community-led and in-person at two HEC Montréal coworking sites in Montreal, with annual recruitment cycles (September–November) and program delivery January to June.

In 2025, La base supported 103 companies and 181 entrepreneurs, with portfolio companies generating $25M CAD in combined revenue and raising $17M CAD in financing, supported by 118+ mobilized experts and a 9.1/10 participant recommendation rate. The EntrePrism program was recognized by the OECD in 2019 as one of seven global reference models for inclusion of underrepresented entrepreneurs. Since founding, more than 750 entrepreneurs have been supported, and over 80% have continued their entrepreneurial journey post-program.

Name

La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal

Legal name

La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal

Website

https://labase.hec.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal is a non-profit university hub at HEC Montréal that runs seven free, cohort-based incubation and acceleration programs supporting technology and impact-driven entrepreneurs in Quebec from ideation through $10M+ scaling, funded by donations and public grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Incubation and Acceleration Services

NAICS

Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Entrepreneurship Foundations & Startup Basics (EDAMAHAA), Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Entrepreneurship incubation programs
• Startup acceleration services
• Business mentoring programs
• University entrepreneurship support
• Social impact entrepreneurship

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal, Quebec

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. N/A – Non-profit organization: La base entrepreneurial HEC Montréal is a non-profit organization (OBNL Impakt Entrepreneurial). Its operations are funded entirely through donations, public funding, and partner contributions. Programs are offered free of charge to participants, valued at $50,000 per project. No revenue is generated from participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal delivers free, structured 6-month entrepreneurship incubation and acceleration programs to individual entrepreneurs and early-stage startups at all stages — from ideation (Éclosion, Fondatrices) through commercialization (EntrePrism, Rémi-Marcoux) and growth (Accélérateur, Envergure), plus networking and co-founder matching (Connexion). All programs combine university-level workshops (Cursus entrepreneurial), individualized coaching, mentorship from 70+ experts, coworking access, and pitch competitions, with each accompaniment valued at approximately $50,000 per project and offered at no cost to participants with no equity taken.

Product overview

La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal operates a platform of seven distinct, free entrepreneurship support tracks — Éclosion, Fondatrices, EntrePrism, Rémi-Marcoux, Accélérateur, Envergure, and Connexion — collectively covering every stage from pre-launch to high-growth expansion. All tracks share a common trunk called the Cursus entrepreneurial, which is supplemented by specialized add-on modules including the IDEOS Impact module (sustainable transition) and the Marketing and Communication module (digital commerce). Individualized coaching, group OKR/codevelopment sessions, and a 70+ mentor network underpin every program. Alumni receive ongoing community access through co-working spaces, events, and a paid membership subscription. The offering is structured as a coordinated ecosystem rather than a single product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Parcours Éclosion A startup launch track dedicated to young university graduates and students who want to start an entrepreneurial project. Guides participants from idea to action through workshops, experiential bootcamps, and personalized support.
• Parcours Fondatrices A startup launch track exclusively for women entrepreneurs, supporting the transition from idea to action through workshops, coaching, peer networking, and inspiring events. Replaced a similar program previously run by Startup Montréal. Delivered largely via videoconference.
• Parcours EntrePrism A commercialization track for Quebec, new-Québec, and culturally diverse entrepreneurs with formalized business projects. Recognized by the OECD in 2019 as one of 7 reference models for inclusion of underrepresented entrepreneurs. Supported by the City of Montreal and Scotiabank.
• Parcours Rémi-Marcoux A commercialization track for young university students and recent graduates with high-growth technology and impact projects. Celebrated 10 years of operation; supported by the Carmelle and Rémi Marcoux Foundation. Includes international market exploration trips.
• Accélérateur Banque Nationale – HEC Montréal A 10-year-old acceleration track for high-potential technology and impact companies in the commercialization phase with growing revenue. Has supported over 100 startups, including international expansion. Supported by National Bank.
• Parcours Envergure A 1-year intensive growth track for entrepreneurs committed to sustainable impact-driven businesses targeting $10M+ revenue. Features a 360° business diagnostic, leadership network, and three intensive 2-day seminars on leadership, commercialization, and financing.
• Offre Connexion A networking and team-formation program that connects entrepreneurs with complementary co-founders, scientists seeking commercialization partners, and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to join existing ventures. Uses the LinQc platform and runs through three phases: awareness, networking, and structured co-founding accompaniment.
• Membre Alumni – Abonnement An annual paid subscription for alumni co-founders (valid 5 years post-graduation), priced at $500 CAD/year per company, providing access to both co-working spaces, workshops, commercial missions, event tickets, partner discounts, and team access at $85 CAD/month per company.

Quantifiable outcome

• 750+ entrepreneurs supported since creation; 80%+ continue entrepreneurial journey post-program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, exclusive, supporting and major.

• Miller ThomsoncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive legal partner providing preferential rates for legal services to program participants. Entrepreneurs in La base's programs receive access to discounted legal counsel through Miller Thomson's expertise.
• MNPcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExclusive accounting and tax partner providing preferential rates for accounting services to program participants. Entrepreneurs receive access to discounted accounting and fiscal counsel through MNP.
• SquarespaceexclusiveStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst collaboration of this type. Strategic partnership with Squarespace to help entrepreneurs build their online presence. La base announced this new partnership to support entrepreneurs in digital presence and e-commerce capabilities.
• KPMGsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupplier partner providing professional services support to La base and its participants.
• Pôle IDEOS HEC MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and transfer pole in social impact management at HEC Montréal. Co-developed the IDEOS module on social impact and sustainable transition, mandatory for all program participants. Awards two IDEOS social impact prizes annually. Key partner in integrating impact thinking into all La base programs.
• Chaire de commerce électronique RBC Groupe FinanciercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the marketing and communications module, adding five new services including practical workshops, training videos, exercises, individual mentorship, and student mandates. Supports online commerce and digital marketing training for startups.
• CIVICsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder and executive director Sylvain Carle serves on La base's advisory committee. CIVIC collaborates on ecosystem initiatives and provides expertise on innovation and entrepreneurship.
• FuturpreneursupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting young entrepreneurs in Canada. Collaboration provides additional resources and networks for La base participants.
• Startup MontréalsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal took over the Fondatrices program from Startup Montréal, continuing this flagship initiative supporting women entrepreneurs in the Montreal ecosystem.
• Direction de la Fondation HEC Montréal et des relations avec les diplômésmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHEC Montréal's foundation and alumni relations department mobilizes donors, graduates, and friends of HEC Montréal to support entrepreneurial programming. Manages the 'Fonds en appui à l'entrepreneuriat' that funds bootcamps and experiential activities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• MaRS Discovery District: MaRS is a large Toronto-based innovation hub supporting a wide range of startups through programs, advisory, and ecosystem services. It is comparable in mission (entrepreneurship support) but operates at much larger scale and broader scope than La base's focused Quebec focus.
• Notman House: Notman House is a Montreal startup community hub offering coworking, events, and programming for tech entrepreneurs. It is comparable through shared Montreal ecosystem presence and tech-startup community focus, but operates as a broader community/incubator rather than a structured cohort-based accelerator.
• Startup Montréal: Startup Montréal is a non-profit ecosystem organization that runs community events, founder programs, and ecosystem initiatives across Montreal. It is comparable as a Quebec-based entrepreneurship support organization; La base has even taken over Startup Montréal's previous Fondatrices program.

Direct peers

• Futurpreneur: Futurpreneur is a Canadian non-profit that provides financing, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs (18-39). La base explicitly lists Futurpreneur as a partner, and they are directly comparable in mission: supporting early-stage Canadian founders through mentorship and ecosystem connections.
• District 3: District 3 is Concordia University's innovation hub in Montreal, offering cohort-based acceleration programs for early-stage startups. It is a direct peer given its university affiliation, Montreal base, and focus on tech and impact-driven entrepreneurship.
• FounderFuel: FounderFuel is a Montreal-based accelerator program that provides mentorship, seed capital, and structured support to early-stage tech startups. It is a direct peer given the same Montreal ecosystem, cohort-based model, and tech-startup focus.
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL): CDL runs university-affiliated, cohort-based seed-stage programs for massively scalable science- and technology-based ventures across multiple global sites including a Montreal stream. It is comparable in structure (cohort-based, university-backed, equity-free style programs) and target (high-growth tech founders).
• Centech: Centech is ÉTS's (École de technologie supérieure) startup accelerator and incubator in Montreal. It directly compares to La base as a university-affiliated tech/impact accelerator in the same city, running cohort-based programs targeting early-stage technology ventures.
• Ryerson DMZ: Ryerson DMZ (Toronto Metropolitan University) is a top-ranked university-linked startup accelerator in Canada, offering cohort-based programs for tech-driven founders. Comparable to La base through university affiliation, cohort structure, and focus on commercialization-stage companies.

Regional players

• Centre d'entrepreneuriat UQAM: UQAM's entrepreneurship center offers programs and support for student and community entrepreneurs in Montreal. It is a regional peer given the same Montreal francophone academic ecosystem, but serves a different primary audience and operates a smaller-scale support offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/labasehec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 La base entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal