SYNTHÈSE
SYNTHÈSE is a Quebec non-profit coordination hub for the digital creation sector, co-locating universities, cégeps, research centers, and the ONF at Îlot Balmoral in Montreal to align digital arts training, research, and industry needs across video games, VFX, animation, and digital experiences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMontréal-nord, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SYNTHÈSE does
SYNTHÈSE – Pôle Image Québec is a non-profit coordination hub for Quebec's digital creation sector, established in 2018 and headquartered at Îlot Balmoral in Montreal's Quartier des spectacles. Its mandate from Quebec's Ministry of Higher Education is to align workforce training with industry needs across video games, VFX/animation, and digital experiences. The organization aggregates educational institutions (NAD-UQAC, UQAT, five cégeps), research centers (CDRIN), the National Film Board (ONF), and industry practitioners under a single 27,850 m², 11-floor facility expected to host over 1,000 daily occupants by September 2026. Operations are led by Directrice générale Brigitte Monneau with a lean coordination staff of 1–10 people.
SYNTHÈSE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SYNTHÈSE
- Legal name
- SYNTHÈSE – Pôle Image Québec
- Website
- https://polesynthese.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- SYNTHÈSE is a Quebec non-profit coordination hub for the digital creation sector, co-locating universities, cégeps, research centers, and the ONF at Îlot Balmoral in Montreal to align digital arts training, research, and industry needs across video games, VFX, animation, and digital experiences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SYNTHÈSE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Creative Industries Workforce Development
- akta.pro primary industry
- Creator-Led Course Hosting & Monetization Platforms (EDAFAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Membership Communities with Learning (Community-Led Education) (MPACALAF), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD)
Keywords
Where SYNTHÈSE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Montréal-nord
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
SYNTHÈSE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Government Funding: SYNTHÈSE is publicly funded through Quebec government grants. On May 16, 2024, the Minister of Higher Education announced $42.6M in funding for the digital arts and creativity domain at Îlot Balmoral, allocated to the Université du Québec system for location rental, fit-out work, and equipment at the building. The organization acts as a coordination hub for public investment in digital creation skills development.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free for qualified professionals and new graduates |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
SYNTHÈSE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SYNTHÈSE is a non-profit pôle d'excellence that coordinates Quebec's digital creation ecosystem spanning video games, VFX/animation, and digital experiences. The organization provides professional orientation services, training programs, internship coordination, technology watch, directories, and industry events, anchored by a physical hub at Îlot Balmoral in Montreal and an online learning platform called EXPERTS.
Product overview
SYNTHÈSE is a Quebec excellence pole for digital creation that operates as a coordination and collaboration platform rather than a single unified product. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected services including: the EXPERTS online learning platform providing 40+ free professional courses in digital creation; the physical Îlot Balmoral innovation hub spanning 27,850 m² with collaborative spaces and labs; a professional orientation platform with 100+ career fact sheets; an annual internship program connecting students with 28+ studios; a technology watch platform (SYNERGIES) publishing industry research; comprehensive industry directories; and the annual Sommet XN Québec conference. These services work together to connect education, industry, and research while developing digital creation talent across Quebec.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EXPERTS: Online learning platform offering over 40 free online courses for professionals in digital creation, developed in collaboration with Quebec educational institutions.
Products and services
- EXPERTS Platform
- Îlot Balmoral Hub
- Sommet XN Québec
- Professional Orientation Platform
- Internship Program
- SYNERGIES Technology Watch Platform
- Industry Directories
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1,000 university and college students physically gathered at Îlot Balmoral starting September 2026 for integrated learning, research, and industry collaboration.
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SYNTHÈSE
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SYNTHÈSE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
SYNTHÈSE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Université du Québec systemcoreSYNTHÈSE was developed in collaboration with the Université du Québec system, which received $42.6M from the Quebec government for spaces and fit-out at Îlot Balmoral. The UQ system (UQAC, UQAT, and others) provides educational programs in digital creation at the facility. SYNTHÈSE coordinates activities between these institutions and the broader ecosystem.
- École NAD-UQAC (École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design)corePart of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, NAD-UQAC occupies dedicated space at Îlot Balmoral offering specialized programs in 3D animation, VFX, design, and video games. With 30+ years of experience, it combines teaching, research, and continuing education closely aligned with industry realities.
- UQAT Montréal (Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue)coreUQAT's Montreal campus at Îlot Balmoral offers specialized programs in VFX, 3D creation, and video games in purpose-built learning environments. Present in Montreal for over 15 years, UQAT has established itself as a leader in university-level digital creation education.
- CDRIN (Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique)coreAffiliated with Cégep de Matane and part of the CCTT (Centre collégial de transfert de technologie) network, CDRIN specializes in applied research and technology innovation bridging digital creation research, training, and industry needs. Co-located at Îlot Balmoral with SYNTHÈSE.
- Consortium of 5 Cégeps (Collège Bois-de-Boulogne, Collège Dawson, Cégep de Matane, Cégep Limoilou, Cégep du Vieux Montréal)coreA consortium of five cégeps offering college-level continuing education programs in digital creation (AEC certifications) at the 8th floor of Îlot Balmoral. This consortium reinforces networking between educational institutions, professionals, and industry partners.
- Office national du film du Canada (ONF)coreThe National Film Board of Canada has occupied approximately 10,000 m² across six levels of Îlot Balmoral since 2019, including a public multi-functional room and screening theatre. It is a key creative and archival institution in Quebec's digital media ecosystem.
- Société d'habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM)minorSHDM developed and owns Îlot Balmoral, designed for Société d'habitation et de développement de Montréal (SHDM) by architect Eugenio Carelli (Provencher-Roy). The building's iconic red facade harmonizes with the Quartier des spectacles artistic identity and has won multiple architectural awards.
- XN QuébeccoreXN Québec is a not-for-profit organization gathering over 200 member studios using technology as raw material. Its mission is to promote the interests of the digital experiences community before government and strategic decision-makers. SYNTHÈSE co-hosted the Sommet XN Québec 2026 at SAT with XN Québec and other partners (SODEC, Piscine MTL, Zú, MUTEK, Centre Phi, SAT).
- Société des Arts Technologiques (SAT)coreSAT is a Montreal institution offering courses, running a research centre developing open-source software, and operating an artist residency program. After 30 years, it has evolved from a venue to a school, research hub, and residency space producing ~300 events/year. Hosted the Sommet XN Québec 2026.
- SODEC (Société de développement des entreprises culturelles)minorSODEC is a Quebec government cultural enterprise development agency. Participated as a partner in the Sommet XN Québec 2026 workshops as part of XN Québec's ecosystem coordination efforts.
- La Piscine MTLminorA Montreal-based creative hub, La Piscine MTL participated as an event partner in the Sommet XN Québec 2026 workshop facilitation.
- ZúminorA creative economy support organization, Zú participated as an event partner in the Sommet XN Québec 2026.
- MUTEKminorMUTEK is a major electronic music and digital arts festival and organization in Montreal. Participated as an event partner in the Sommet XN Québec 2026.
- Centre PhiminorCentre Phi (Phi Centre) is a multidisciplinary space for digital arts and immersive experiences in Montreal. Participated as an event partner in the Sommet XN Québec 2026.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SYNTHÈSE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- XN Québec: Not-for-profit industry coordination organization representing 200+ digital experiences studios in Quebec. Most directly comparable peer — both serve as neutral ecosystem coordinators with overlapping mandates for the digital experiences subsector.
- BCTQ (Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec): Industry coordination body for Quebec's film, television, and digital production sectors. Comparable to SYNTHÈSE in providing ecosystem coordination, talent development, and industry intelligence across overlapping creative production domains.
- La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec: Industry association coordinating Quebec's video game studios. Directly comparable peer with similar industry representation, advocacy, and talent pipeline functions for the video game subsector that SYNTHÈSE serves.
- Société des arts technologiques (SAT): Montreal institution combining courses, open-source research, artist residency, and venue programming. Comparable combination of education + research + industry-facing services in digital arts, though more focused on immersive and audiovisual creation.
- NAD-UQAC (École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design): University-level digital arts school specializing in 3D animation, VFX, design, and video games, co-located at Îlot Balmoral. Comparable as a specialized digital arts education provider, though structured as a formal degree-granting institution rather than a coordination hub.
- CDRIN (Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique): Applied research and technology transfer center affiliated with Cégep de Matane. Directly comparable as a CCTT network member bridging digital creation research, training, and industry needs, co-located at Îlot Balmoral.
- Centre Phi: Multidisciplinary Montreal space for digital arts and immersive experiences. Comparable as a digital arts venue and event partner with industry coordination, though more focused on audience-facing exhibitions than workforce development.
- MUTEK: Montreal-based festival and organization for electronic music and digital arts. Comparable as a digital arts ecosystem builder with industry coordination, event programming, and emerging technology focus, though primarily festival-oriented.
Regional players
- Creative BC: Province-wide creative industry development organization for British Columbia. Strongest geographic peer — same province-wide coordination mandate for creative industries, just in a different Canadian province with no direct Quebec competition.
- Ontario Creates: Provincial agency supporting Ontario's creative industries including interactive digital media. Comparable regional mandate for creative industry development, though operating at larger Ontario scale and serving broader industry scope.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SYNTHÈSE social profiles
Digital presenceSYNTHÈSE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SYNTHÈSE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SYNTHÈSE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SYNTHÈSE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SYNTHÈSE
What does SYNTHÈSE do?
SYNTHÈSE is a non-profit pôle d'excellence that coordinates Quebec's digital creation ecosystem spanning video games, VFX/animation, and digital experiences. The organization provides professional orientation services, training programs, internship coordination, technology watch, directories, and industry events, anchored by a physical hub at Îlot Balmoral in Montreal and an online learning platform called EXPERTS.
Is SYNTHÈSE a public or private company?
SYNTHÈSE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SYNTHÈSE founded?
SYNTHÈSE was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is SYNTHÈSE based?
SYNTHÈSE is headquartered in Montréal-nord, Canada, in the North America region.
How does SYNTHÈSE make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are SYNTHÈSE's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are XN Québec, BCTQ (Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec), La Guilde du jeu vidéo du Québec, Société des arts technologiques (SAT), NAD-UQAC (École des arts numériques, de l'animation et du design), CDRIN (Centre de développement et de recherche en intelligence numérique), Centre Phi and MUTEK. Regional players are Creative BC and Ontario Creates.
Does SYNTHÈSE have an API?
No public API is recorded for SYNTHÈSE.
What industry is SYNTHÈSE in?
SYNTHÈSE's product category is Creative Industries Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFAIAC, Creator-Led Course Hosting & Monetization Platforms, with a secondary code of MPACALAF, Membership Communities with Learning (Community-Led Education).