YUL Relations

What YUL Relations does

YUL Relations is a private, membership-based business networking organization founded in August 2018 and headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It operates as a community platform rather than a technology vendor, serving B2B entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals (primarily SMBs with some mid-market members such as Osedea and Demers Beaulne) across 8 Quebec regions: Montreal, Laval, Rive-Nord, Rive-Sud, Quebec City, Estrie, Mauricie, and Outaouais. The company's value proposition centers on 'relationship before transaction,' positioning itself as a counterpoint to conventional profit-oriented networking groups through values of sincerity, sharing, inclusion, and mutual aid.

The underlying technology footprint is deliberately minimal: a WordPress website with The Events Calendar plugin, an email newsletter ('infolettre'), and a closed member portal ('Portail Membre'). YUL Relations does not develop or sell technology products, has no public API or SDK, and does not deploy AI/ML in any described capability. Core programming consists of invitation-only in-person events (breakfast/lunch meetings, 5-à-7 socials, member conferences, and experiential events such as the annual Disc Golf Classic and whisky tastings via partner Sam Whisky), with curated member-guest speakers and cross-region programming.

Revenue is generated primarily through recurring membership subscriptions (pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed) supplemented by one-time event ticket sales (e.g., Disc Golf tickets at $143.72–$172.46 CAD, 5-à-7 tickets at $57.49 CAD). The go-to-market motion is community-led and referral-driven: prospective members inquire via the website, email, or phone, and existing members drive word-of-mouth acquisition. The organization is founder-controlled (President: Jean-François Manouvrier), bootstrapped with no external funding disclosed, and operates with approximately 11 employees. Revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

YUL Relations

Legal name

YUL Relations

Website

https://yulrelations.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YUL Relations is a private, invite-only business networking community founded in Montreal in 2018, serving B2B entrepreneurs and professionals across 8 Quebec regions through recurring membership subscriptions and curated in-person events, with the stated mission of placing 'relationship before transaction.'

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Networking Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Interest-Based Communities & Forums (BPAMABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Partner, Channel & Vendor Conferences (MPAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Business networking community
• Professional referral networking
• Membership networking events
• Entrepreneur networking group
• Regional networking association

Headquarters

HQ city

Montreal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: YUL Relations generates revenue through membership subscriptions. Members pay to join the YULois community, gaining access to exclusive networking events, the member portal, and member-to-member support.
2. Event ticket sales: Revenue is also generated from paid events, such as the annual Disc Golf tournament (priced at $143.72–$172.46 CAD) and the annual 5-à-7 social event ($57.49 CAD). Events are invitation-only with ticket purchases handled via email contact.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

YUL Relations operates an invitation-only membership networking community for B2B entrepreneurs and professionals across 8 regions of Quebec. Members gain access to recurring in-person networking events (breakfast/dinner meetings, 5-à-7 socials, conferences, sports activities), guest speaking opportunities, peer-to-peer referral programming, and a closed member portal with member directory. Revenue is generated through recurring membership subscriptions and select paid events such as the annual Disc Golf Classic tournament and the annual 5-à-7 social.

Product overview

YUL Relations is a human-centric business networking organization based in Quebec, Canada. It is not a technology product company but rather a community/networking platform that facilitates in-person and virtual networking events for entrepreneurs and business professionals. The organization operates through regional groups (Montréal, Laval, Rive-Nord, Rive-Sud, Québec, Estrie, Mauricie, and Outaouais) and offers networking activities including breakfast/lunch meetings, 5 à 7 social events, and sporting activities. Members gain access to a member portal and participate in regular events featuring guest speakers. The organization was officially founded in August 2018.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YUL Relations Membership (Adhésion YULois) Invitation-only recurring membership subscription that grants access to YUL Relations' closed networking community for B2B entrepreneurs and professionals in Quebec, including entry to regional networking events, the member portal, member directory, and peer-to-peer referral programming. Pricing is obtained by direct quote via email/phone.
• Annual Disc Golf Classic Tournament Annual paid networking tournament for YUL Relations members and guests, priced per ticket ($143.72–$172.46 CAD for the 2026 edition), combining sport with member networking.
• Annual 5-à-7 Social Event (5@tard Annuel de YUL Relations) Annual ticketed after-work 5-à-7 networking social for members and invited guests, priced at $57.49 CAD per ticket for the 2023 edition.

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Gaspard AgencecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGaspard Agence is a strategic and creative branding agency that designed the YUL Relations logo, branding, and website. Francis Lacas, President of Gaspard Agence, is also a founding member of YUL Relations. Gaspard Agence provides ongoing design and branding support, and YUL Relations promotes Gaspard Agence as a preferred partner to its members.
• Hotel 10coreOthersHOTEL10 is a boutique hotel in Montreal renowned for its curated collection of local artworks. It serves as the primary venue for YUL Relations Montreal events. The hotel provides event space for the organization's regular networking meetings and conferences, with its unique atmosphere aligning with YUL's human-centric and artistic values.
• Sam WhiskyminorOthersSam Whisky offers whisky tasting experiences and corporate event services. YUL Relations promotes Sam Whisky as a partner, and the experience is used for YUL's corporate event offerings. The partnership provides unique networking experiences for members.
• Code MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCode Marketing is a digital marketing agency specializing in performance web and digital strategies for SMEs. Philippe Bussière, a member of YUL Relations, is Vice-President of Code Marketing. The agency is promoted as a partner on the YUL website.
• InnoVenteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInnoVente is a B2B sales innovation organization that values sales excellence through innovation and impactful meetings. YUL Relations and InnoVente share a mutual partnership aimed at promoting B2B sales best practices among Quebec entrepreneurs.
• Destination COOPminorOthersDestination COOP offers YUL Relations members exclusive discounts on a wide range of products and services accessible across Quebec. This partnership provides tangible added value to YUL members.
• SallePrivéeminorOthersSallePrivée offers more than 200 exclusive spaces in the Greater Montreal area for corporate or festive events. YUL Relations promotes SallePrivée as a partner for members seeking event venues, and SallePrivée gains visibility among YUL's B2B professional network.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Meetup: Global platform for organizing and discovering in-person interest-based groups and events. Comparable to YUL as a community-meeting infrastructure for Quebec professionals, though Meetup is a broader, free-or-low-cost platform rather than a curated paid membership community.
• LinkedIn: Global professional network with LinkedIn Events, Groups, and Premium networking features. Comparable to YUL as a B2B professional networking destination, though LinkedIn is a free-mass-market platform rather than a curated paid membership community.

Regional players

• Bonjour Startup Montréal: Quebec startup ecosystem collective uniting incubators, investors, and entrepreneurs to promote Montreal's innovation community. Comparable to YUL Relations as a Quebec networking umbrella for SMBs and entrepreneurs, though focused on the tech and startup ecosystem specifically.
• C2 Montréal: Annual business conference in Montreal that curates networking and collaborative experiences for entrepreneurs and executives. Comparable to YUL in its human-centric, experience-driven networking positioning within Quebec's B2B community, though C2 operates as a large annual event rather than year-round membership.
• Renaissance (Quebec entrepreneur network): Quebec-based business networking and referral organization historically serving the SMB community across multiple regions. Comparable to YUL Relations in its regional, membership-based networking model for Quebec entrepreneurs, though Renaissance operates through a more traditional referral-passing structure.
• Startup Montreal: Quebec-based community supporting local entrepreneurs and startups through events and networking. Comparable to YUL Relations as a regional Quebec hub fostering B2B connections, though Startup Montreal is more startup-focused and event-driven rather than membership-subscription based.
• Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM): Montreal's regional business chamber offering networking events, business services, and advocacy to its members. Comparable to YUL in serving Quebec SMBs with paid membership and event programming, though CCMM is a larger, more institutionalized organization with broader mandate.

Direct peers

• BNI (Business Network International): Global referral-based business networking organization with structured weekly meetings and membership dues. Directly comparable to YUL Relations as both monetize recurring membership through in-person networking events focused on B2B referrals, though BNI operates at much larger scale.
• Vistage Worldwide: Peer advisory and executive coaching organization for SMB owners and CEOs, monetized via recurring membership dues. Comparable to YUL in its fee-based, community-driven model for Quebec business leaders, although Vistage focuses on facilitated peer advisory groups.
• EO (Entrepreneurs' Organization): Global peer-to-peer network of entrepreneurs offering membership-based learning and networking events. Comparable to YUL because both serve B2B entrepreneurs through curated in-person experiences, though EO targets higher-revenue founders and runs larger forums.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/samwhisky.ca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yulrelations

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 YUL Relations