More than 60 people will be meeting today in conjunction with Demo Day - Quebec FastTrac® TechVenture™, organized by Quebec International in collaboration with the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) and Microsoft. Held at the ENAP, this event will provide an opportunity to attend presentations given by seven companies that recently completed the Quebec FastTrac® TechVenture™ program. This new technological entrepreneurship support program is being offered for the very first time in Canada thanks to an agreement between Quebec International and the Kauffman Foundation.The companies and organizations making up the first “graduating class” are CO2 Cleantech, Dynamo, Experimental Fermentation Laboratory, METOX, NovumC3, Trapeze and Tribu.
During the event, the participants will also have an opportunity to attend a screening of Ctrl + Alt + Compete, a feature-length documentary film sponsored by Microsoft. The film, which had its premiere in Quebec City, takes a revealing look at the world of startups through the eyes of five founding entrepreneurs and their teams. The film attests to the passion that motivates these entrepreneurs and the courage they need in order to overcome obstacles and make their dreams a reality.
The Quebec FastTrac® TechVenture™ program is being offered thanks to the support of the City of Quebec. It aims to facilitate the creation and start up of high-tech firms by giving entrepreneurs access to resources in the local ecosystem and to high-level stakeholders. With 11 days of activities over a 10-week period, the program seeks to provide technology entrepreneurs with the necessary tools to develop and refine the skills that are essential to business project startups, such as planning, operationalization, financing and business growth management. Entrepreneurs who would like to join the next group, which is scheduled to begin in September, are asked to consult www.quebecinternational.ca/FastTrac.
“I always take pride in the fact that we have such talented and ambitious entrepreneurs in Quebec City. Launching a high-tech startup entails daunting challenges, and it is our duty to offer these entrepreneurs appropriate support by creating a strong ecosystem in which participants can join forces to develop a coherent service offer, along with programs that are truly tailored to their needs. We are very pleased to be taking part in the construction of this ecosystem via the FastTrac® TechVenture™ program, which is making its Canadian premiere in Quebec City,” said Carl Viel, President and CEO of Quebec International.
About Quebec International
Quebec International contributes to regional economic development and promotes Quebec City’s international standing. As the region’s pre-eminent economic development agency, Quebec International fosters business growth, supports key economic clusters and attracts talent and investment. For further information, please visit www.quebecinternational.ca.
About the Kauffman Foundation
Recognized worldwide for its entrepreneurship expertise, the KauffmanFoundation was created in the mid-1960s by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Foundation ranks among the US’s 30 largest foundations with assets of approximately $2 billion. (www.kauffman.org)
