The Mayor of Québec City, Régis Labeaume; the Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Québec City Region, François Blais; and the CEO of Québec International, Carl Viel, officially opened the new offices of Québec City's technology incubator/accelerator (LE CAMP). Today's event drew more than 150 representatives of Québec City's entrepreneurial sector under the themes of #apprendre #accelerer #rassembler (learn/accelerate/come together).
After one year of operating in temporary premises, LE CAMP moved into offices at 125 Charest Boulevard in the heart of Québec City's Saint-Roch district. Located on the second floor, the new facilities total over 10,000 sq. ft. The incubator/accelerator will enable entrepreneurs to COME TOGETHER in a stimulating and creative atmosphere, including 12 closed offices, 24 co-working spaces and meeting/event rooms. Thanks to its innovative approach, LE CAMP offers entrepreneurs invaluable support designed to ACCELERATE growth, whether they are starting up business projects, marketing products or seeking to expand their companies. LE CAMP also offers a wide-ranging program providing participants with opportunities to LEARN through training activities, seminars and discussions with key stakeholders specializing in entrepreneurship and new technologies.
“This new incubator/accelerator quickly became a key hub for entrepreneurship in Québec City. Local high-tech companies can now tap into cutting-edge expertise in support of their growth. Our government is proud to contribute to the emergence of new companies that will go on to become Québec's future economic flagships,” said François Blais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity and Minister Responsible for the Québec City Region.
Since LE CAMP opened in March 2015, over 50 entrepreneurs have taken part in its three entrepreneurship acceleration programs, while 24 companies and organizations have used the co-working spaces and offices, including three foreign firms. A total of 100 training, guidance and coaching activities have been organized, attracting more than 1,950 participants. In addition, two international marketing initiatives (CONEQT Silicon Valley and CONEQT New York) have been held. Thus far, 18 local companies have reaped the benefits of these structured business corridors and trade/exploratory missions prior to tackling the US market.
“Local entrepreneurs have shown a keen interest in LE CAMP since the outset. Today, it offers essential support to innovative companies so they can pursue growth, not only here in Québec City, but also in other parts of the world. Thanks to its innovative approach focusing on company growth and marketing, LE CAMP is already a success. We take pride in the fact that we believed in this project and took action to realize the dream of providing Québec City with this valuable tool,” said the Mayor of Québec City, Régis Labeaume.
In November 2014, the City of Québec and the Government of Canada announced that the Inno-centre team from the Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) would be establishing its headquarters at LE CAMP. Since then, Inno-centre has provided guidance to 17 companies under the CAIP, including six from the Québec City region. These companies have received $17.3 million in new venture capital investments.
“Since the collaboration agreement was ratified with the City of Quebec, Québec International, LE CAMP and CAIP Inno-centre have worked together to achieve a shared goal: to make Québec City a global benchmark in the field of entrepreneurship. Now more than ever, we're convinced that our goal is within reach,” said Jean-François Cauchon, Director General, CAIP Inno-centre, and Isabelle Genest, Executive Director, LE CAMP.
The City of Québec is investing $2.1 million over five years to implement, manage and operate LE CAMP, as well as to roll out its incubation program backed by funding from the Government of Québec under the Quebec City ACCORD initiative. In addition, partnership agreements valued at more than $315,000 in financial contributions, services and collaboration over two or three-year periods have been concluded with the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), PwC, BCF Business Law, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), ROBIC Lawyers, Patents and Trademark Agents and the Centre for Digital Imaging Development and Research (CDRIN).
“More than ever, LE CAMP is offering tech startups an open, vibrant and lively space where ideas take shape and business success is born. Quebec International is proud to support the entrepreneurial community. This accomplishment would not have been possible without the collaboration and confidence of our public and private partners, to whom I am very grateful,” concluded Carl Viel, CEO of Québec International.
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. LE CAMP is administered and operated by Quebec International, the economic development agency for the Québec City region. For more information, please visit lecampquebec.com.
