Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS

What Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS does

The Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS (Trajectoires, Diversité, Substances), hosted at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), is an academic research chair established in 2017 under the Canada Research Chairs program and led by Dr. Jorge Flores-Aranda. It is the only Canada Research Chair in Canada specifically dedicated to studying psychoactive substance use trajectories among sexually and gender-diverse (SGD) people, including chemsex/PnP, methamphetamine, cannabis, and alcohol use. Its work is organized around two axes: (1) understanding interrelations between substance use trajectories and the oppressive factors (stigma, discrimination, homelessness) experienced by LGBTQIA2S+ populations, and (2) developing and evaluating targeted interventions grounded in anti-oppressive and harm-reduction methodologies.

TRADIS has built a portfolio of digital interventions and assessment instruments: Chez Manu, a web platform for knowledge dissemination (launched publicly in May 2025) developed with Canada Foundation for Innovation (FCI) and UQAM funding and built by web firm Whisky Echo Bravo, paired with a recording studio; Canna-Coach, a mobile application adapted from the Swiss Stop-Cannabis.ch platform for Quebec youth aged 14–25 experiencing cannabis-related problems, with peer support and harm-reduction features; MONBUZZ.ca, an online brief-intervention portal for sexually diverse men who use substances; and Links SU-Sex (Bilan de ma consommation et de ma sexualité), a screening questionnaire for sexualized substance use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) currently undergoing psychometric validation. The Chair operates through community-based participatory research, with a documented advisory and co-development network of more than 15 community organizations, clinical partners, and academic institutes (including ASTT(e)Q–CACTUS Montréal, RÉZO, Clinique l'Actuel, the Institut universitaire sur les dépendances, and Portage).

The business model is non-commercial: TRADIS is a publicly funded academic entity operating within UQAM's institutional governance. Revenue flows exclusively from Canadian and Quebec government research grants — Canada Research Chairs, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC), Canada Foundation for Innovation (FCI), and the Substance Use and Addiction Program (SUAP/PUDS). All outputs — digital platforms, screening tools, training, the annual École d'été summer school, and peer-reviewed publications — are distributed free to community organizations, practitioners, and end users. There is no pricing model, no commercial customer base, and no disclosed revenue figure.

Name

Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS

Legal name

Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS (Trajectoires, Diversité, Substances)

Website

https://tradis.uqam.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS is a publicly funded academic research chair at UQAM, established 2017, that studies psychoactive substance use among sexually and gender-diverse populations in Quebec and develops free digital interventions (Chez Manu, Canna-Coach, MONBUZZ.ca) plus the Links SU-Sex screening tool, operating through community-based participatory research with a 15+ organization partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Academic Health Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGACAE

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Health & Medical Nonprofits

SECONDARYHLALAEAD

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) & Addiction Teletherapy Platforms

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Telehealth Platforms/Behavioral & Mental Health Teletherapy Platforms

SECONDARYBPAMABAL

Health & Support Communities

Business & Public Services/Web, Mobile & Digital Platforms/Social Networks & Online Communities

SECONDARYBPAIAJAK

Behavioral Health & Substance Use Public Health Programs

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Public Health Administration & Regulation

Keywords

• Psychosocial intervention research
• Harm reduction research
• LGBTQ+ substance use
• Digital health interventions
• Community-based participatory research

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Funding / Grants: The Chair is funded primarily through Canadian and Quebec government research grants, including the Canada Research Chair program, Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canada Foundation for Innovation (FCI), Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture (FRQSC), and the Substance Use and Addiction Program (SUAP). No commercial revenue model is described.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS conducts community-based participatory research on psychoactive substance use trajectories among sexually and gender-diverse (LGBTQ+) populations, while developing and evaluating evidence-based digital psychosocial intervention tools. It produces digital platforms (Chez Manu, Canna-Coach, MONBUZZ.ca), screening instruments (Links SU-Sex), peer-reviewed publications, training workshops, and an annual interdisciplinary Summer School for researchers, practitioners, and community members.

Product overview

The TRADIS Chair operates as a research institution that has developed multiple digital products focused on substance use among sexually and gender diverse populations. The core offerings include Chez Manu (a web dissemination platform), Canna-Coach (a mobile application for cannabis harm reduction), MONBUZZ.ca (an online intervention portal), and Links SU-Sex (an assessment tool). These products serve different but complementary functions: knowledge dissemination, direct intervention, and evaluation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Canna-Coach: Mobile app for youth aged 14-25 experiencing cannabis use problems
• Chez Manu
• Links SU-Sex

Products and services

• Chez Manu web platform A web platform for disseminating evidence-based knowledge on psychoactive substance use among sexually and gender-diverse people, paired with a recording studio to produce original and innovative content. It is targeted at LGBTQ+ community members, researchers, practitioners, and the broader public.
• Canna-Coach mobile application A mobile application adapted from the Swiss Stop-Cannabis.ch platform for young Quebecers aged 14 to 25 experiencing problems associated with cannabis use, with or without concurrent mental health disorders. Includes social networking and peer support features connected to harm reduction approaches. Targeted at Quebec youth as a free digital harm reduction tool.
• MONBUZZ.ca online intervention portal An online brief intervention portal for sexually diverse men who use substances, providing self-assessment tools and brief interventions related to substance use and sexuality. Targeted at sexually diverse men as a publicly accessible digital intervention.
• Links SU-Sex evaluation instrument A French-language questionnaire/evaluation instrument ("Bilan de ma consommation et de ma sexualité") developed to assess the influence and consequences of sexualized substance use among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbHARSAH). Currently undergoing psychometric validation. Targeted at researchers, clinicians, and community organizations serving gbMSM populations.
• École d'été (Summer School) on Sexuality, Gender, Diversity, and Substance Use An annual interdisciplinary Summer School offering graduate credits and interdisciplinary training on sexuality, gender, diversity, and substance use. Targeted at graduate students, researchers, and practitioners, delivered in partnership with UQAM and Quebec academic and addiction research institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Development and validation of Links SU-Sex screening tool for sexualized substance use among gbHARSAH
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASTT(e)Q – CACTUS MontréalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization serving people affected by HIV and hepatitis C in Montreal. Serves as an advisory committee member for the PnP within Diversity project, providing community-based expertise and participant recruitment support for research on methamphetamine use among sexually and gender-diverse populations.
• RÉZOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization dedicated to the health and well-being of gay, bisexual, cis and trans men in Montreal. Advisory committee member for PnP within Diversity; co-developer of the Links SU-Sex screening tool; provides community venue and outreach support for Chair research.
• Clinique l'ActuelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized sexual health clinic in Montreal providing screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and HIV care. Provides ChemSex caseworker services for the PnP within Diversity project and serves as a partner in the Canna-Coach project, connecting the research team with clinical practice settings.
• Institut universitaire sur les dépendances (IUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IUD is a university-affiliated institute focused on addiction research and practice. Several Chair researchers are regular researchers at the IUD, and the institute co-hosts the annual summer school with the Chair. The IUD provides a platform for research dissemination and practice integration.
• Chaire de recherche sur le genre et l'intervention en dépendance (La GID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA complementary CIHR-funded research chair focused on gender and addiction intervention. Led by Karine Bertrand, who is also an associate researcher with the TRADIS Chair. The two chairs share research interests and collaborate on studies involving gender, sexuality, and substance use.
• BRAS-OutaouaisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization in the Outaouais region serving people who use substances. Advisory committee member for the PnP within Diversity project, contributing regional community perspective and helping reach geographically diverse participants.
• Ça prend un villageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization supporting recovery from crystal meth addiction. Advisory committee member for PnP within Diversity. Co-founded by Jean-Sébastien Rousseau, a peer researcher with the Chair.
• Centre de référence du grand Montréal – Drogue: aide et référenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral center providing information and support for drug-related concerns. Part of the PnP within Diversity advisory committee and listed as a resource referral partner on the Chair's website.
• Centre de traitement des dépendances Le RucherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddiction treatment center. Advisory committee member for the PnP within Diversity project, providing clinical perspective on addiction services for sexually and gender-diverse populations.
• InterligneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuebec's sexual and gender diversity helpline and support service. Advisory committee member for the PnP within Diversity project, offering community outreach and referral support.
• MIELS-QuébecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization serving people affected by HIV in the Québec City region. Advisory committee member for PnP within Diversity, providing regional perspective from outside Montreal.
• PortageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddiction treatment organization with multiple centres. Advisory committee member for the PnP within Diversity project, contributing clinical expertise in addiction treatment.
• Recherche et intervention sur les substances psychoactives – Québec (RISQ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Quebec research network focused on psychoactive substance use research. Several TRADIS researchers (including Flores-Aranda and Goyette) are members of RISQ, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaborative research across Quebec institutions.
• Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (OTSTCFQ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional order representing social workers and family therapists in Quebec. Advisory committee member for PnP within Diversity, providing professional practice perspective.
• Vision d'Espoir de SobriétéminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAddiction recovery organization. Advisory committee member for PnP within Diversity project.
• Maison d'Aide La Villa Saint-Léonard de PortneufminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity support organization for people in need. Advisory committee member for PnP within Diversity project.
• Canna-Coach Partner OrganizationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple organizations including Le grand chemin, RAP jeunesse, Maison Dunham, Pacte de rue, Drogue: Aide et référence, CRCLM, CCSMTL, CISSS MO, École Raymond, AIDQ, AQCID, Cégep Rosemont, and CIUSSS SLS serve as community partners in the Canna-Coach project, helping adapt and disseminate the mobile app for Quebec youth.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/chaireTRADIS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chaire-de-recherche-du-canada-tradis
• Instagraminstagram.com/chairetradis

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Chaire de recherche du Canada TRADIS