Québec International is proud to announce that Québec City's technology incubator/accelerator, LE CAMP, has concluded partnership agreements valued at over $315,000 in financial contributions and services with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, PwC, BCF Business Law, ROBIC Lawyers, Patents and Trademark Agents and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). In addition, the signing of a collaboration agreement with the Centre for Digital Imaging Development and Research (CDRIN) will provide local companies with access to motion capture services. All of these agreements will run for periods of two to three years, depending on the individual partners.
The announcement was made during the official opening of LE CAMP's new offices, which was attended by the Mayor of Québec City, Régis Labeaume, and by François Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Québec City Region.
Thanks to these new partnerships, LE CAMP, which is now well established in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, is poised to speed up the development of its activities and services, focusing on the needs of the entrepreneurial community. The CEO of Québec International, Carl Viel, took the opportunity to thank the partners for their support and confidence. “By combining the talent of our entrepreneurs with the expertise of our partners, LE CAMP's team and Québec International, we now have a winning formula designed to support the growth of technology entrepreneurs and the entire digital sector in Québec City”.
LE CAMP's partners underscored the importance of supporting a solid entrepreneurial ecosystem in order to help create companies and encourage high-potential projects with a view to ensuring the sector's development and prosperity. For that reason, it was essential for all partners to get involved, mindful of the fact that the region has the required expertise, talent and creativity to grow the digital economy.
Major partners
“The province of Québec needs innovative and well-equipped companies to carve out a place on global markets. Supporting LE CAMP was self-evident since it brings together Québec International's experts, along with Québec City's new technology stakeholders. Together, they will help to develop an even more vibrant Quebec economy,” said Michèle Boisvert, Executive Vice-President, Business Outreach, Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
“LE CAMP is a place where ideas and experiments are born, thus giving rise to new tech companies. PwC is proud to support these entrepreneurs in the completion of their projects and to guide them through the regional economic landscape, thanks to our business links and comprehensive range of consulting services. And thanks to our clear understanding of their realities, we're equipped to support and advise them during the next phases of their development. Being a part of their success is our greatest privilege!” said Rémi Tremblay, Managing Partner, Tax Services Leader, PwC Québec City.
"Our association with LE CAMP is aimed at supporting daring and innovative companies in the various phases of their development and to spur the world of entrepreneurship on to new heights. With over 20 years of business law experience, BCF plays a leading role through its active involvement in Québec City's business community. We are pleased to place the expertise of our over 200 professionals at the service of entrepreneurs in Québec City and beyond,” said Serge LeBel, ASC, Partner and Attorney, BCF Business Law.
Business partners
“Since its Québec City office opened in 2011, ROBIC has collaborated regularly with Québec International. Today, its team is pleased to invest its time and longstanding intellectual property expertise in LE CAMP's innovative initiatives. Through this partnership, ROBIC is proud to contribute to the protection, recognition and promotion of original ideas developed by new technology companies,” added Nicolas Sapp, Managing Partner, Québec City, ROBIC Lawyers, Patents and Trademark Agents.
“The BDC's decision to associate itself with LE CAMP was no coincidence. Our organization seeks to integrate technology best practices and encourages entrepreneurs to do the same with a view to boosting company competitiveness and improving employees' quality of life in the workplace. The BDC is proud to be a partner in this project, which bodes well for Quebec's economic development,” said Pierre-Olivier Bernard, Technology Group Account Manager, BDC Business Centre, Québec City.
Recognized as a college technology transfer centre (CCTT) and a Trans-Tech network member, CDRIN provides a one-of-a-kind range of technologies and expertise in Quebec, in addition to offering financial aid for R&D projects. General Manger Christine Dugas offered this assessment of the value added derived from the collaboration agreement with LE CAMP: “The companies at LE CAMP face the ongoing challenge of developing new products or services to ensure their growth. CDRIN will be their partner in the areas of R&D, technical assistance and specialized training in new digital technologies. We are very excited about this partnership with LE CAMP.”
About Québec International
Québec International contributes to the economic development of Québec City's metropolitan region and its international outreach efforts. As a regional economic development agency, Quebec International fosters company growth, supports key sectors and attracts talent and investment to the region. Québec International is also the manager of Quebec City's technology incubator/accelerator, LE CAMP, which opened for business in March 2015. For further information, please visit www.quebecinternational.ca and www.lecampquebec.com.
About LE CAMP
In addition to being a hub for Québec City's entrepreneurial community, LE CAMP is a vibrant and lively space where ideas take shape and business success is born. LE CAMP is an incubator/accelerator dedicated to the creation and growth of technology companies. Located in the Saint-Roch district in the heart of Québec City, LE CAMP offers access to acceleration/incubation programs and training/networking activities, in addition to rental offices and co-working spaces. The City of Québec is investing $2.1 million over five years in order for Québec International to administer and operate LE CAMP. For further information, please visit lecampquebec.com.
