The Québec City business community is in full swing
First, Québec International’s activities in 2023 have generated a record $1.56B in benefits. The Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament also generated historic economic benefits of $18.2M in the region. Let’s not forget the Jean Lesage International Airport, where 1.68 million passengers transited in 2023, which represents 94% of the airport’s pre-pandemic traffic.
Other good news: according to a survey by Point2Homes, Lévis and Québec City are the best cities in the country in terms of life-work balance. The indicators used take into account factors like health, well-being, work intensity and the quality of life. Additionally, according to Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index, the region ranked 12th in the world, and 1st in North America based on the quality of life among the 1,000 largest cities in the world.
Many businesses also stood out locally and internationally, or have made very positive announcements. Here are some examples for the month of June.
Retailers are expanding
After opening its 17th store in Canada, La Maison Simons is now present from coast to coast. The Quebec-based retailer recently opened a new store in Halifax, ensuring proximity with its clients in the Maritimes, who were already buying online, as part of its growth plan, which will continue in the current markets. Two more stores are also set to open in Toronto in 2025.
The clothing and accessories retailer Latulippe is also expanding, with the upcoming construction of a new distribution centre, a project valued at $12M. The 52,000 sq. ft. building will be located in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and will supply stores in Québec City, Lévis and Trois-Rivières, as well as fulfill online orders.
New banners are coming to the Galeries de la Capitale in the coming months, including the first JD Sports store in the region in July, and Winners by the fall of 2025. These are in addition to the ten new retailers from recent months.
Two local businesses selling in pharmacies
Omy Laboratoires is now available in pharmacies across Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick. A leader in personalized dermo-cosmetics, the Québec City business makes its entry into 400 points of sale.
Souris Mini, whose reputation no longer needs to be demonstrated in the children’s clothing industry, is now entering the reusable diaper market. Available online and in stores since May 1st, the patent pending, innovative products will be sold in pharmacies later this fall.
Funding to accelerate growth
Qohash, a leader in data security software development providing businesses with visibility and control over their sensitive data, secured $17.4M in Series B funding led by Fonds de solidarité FTQ. This will allow the business to accelerate growth of its platform.
Saguaro Biosciences also secured $3M in a funding round led by AQC Capital and Anges Québec. This investment will drive the commercial expansion of its product ChromaLive™. This revolutionary AI-assisted technology empowers researchers to advance more effectively in the development of new therapies.
A prestigious distinction
Montellier sparkling water, sourced in Sainte-Brigitte-de-Laval, received the highest distinction by the International Quality Institute in Brussels: the Monde Sélection Grand Gold Quality Award. 80 international experts taste and test numerous consumer products and base their evaluation on a specific set of scientific criteria. Congratulations to the team!
Institutions maintaining Quebec ownership
Good news for ski enthusiasts: Le Relais will remain a Quebec-owned business. The new owners who took over the family business are business men who are passionate about the sport: Nicolas Racine, CEO of the Festival d’été de Québec and former general manager of Groupe Le Massif, Henrick Simard, lawyer and ski coach, Francis Moreau, and Nicolas Boucher.
ComédiHa! acquired assets from Just for Laughs as part of the Montréal-based group’s restructuring efforts. This will help the Québec City business strengthen its position in the comedy industry in Quebec, Canada, and the world.
A video game from here available on all consoles
Video game studio RageCure Games, who won the grand final of the CATAPULTE acceleration program in 2021, launched its arcade hockey game in April. Goons: Legends & Mayhem is available on PC and all consoles, including Xbox and PlayStation.
Partnerships and an acquisition in the technology sector
LE CAMP, the technology business accelerator and incubator and entity of Québec International, made three announcements that will allow it to strengthen its partnerships globally and in the tourism sector. New partnerships have been established with SIRENA START-UP (southwest of France), Innovaud (Switzerland) and Destination Québec cité, promoting international expansion of Quebec-based startups.
Vooban, who guides businesses in designing and implementing artificial intelligence projects, acquired another Quebec firm, Stratéjia, enhancing its expertise in data analysis and management to help their clients before they launch their AI projects. With this acquisition, Vooban will increase its workforce by 50%.
Celebrating French
The Francophonie will be in the spotlight in the coming weeks. In addition to the Rendez-vous d’affaires de la Francophonie, on June 12 to 14 at the Québec City Convention Centre, the SuperFrancoFête is also coming back. The upcoming third edition will include ten shows featuring artists from all around the world, from August 15 to 31, 2024, at the Port of Québec Agora.
Congratulations to all these organizations that are making the greater Québec City region shine all around the world! Would you also like to bring your business to new heights? Contact us now! Our team will be happy to support you and your growth!
Carl Viel
President and CEO, Québec International
