New agreement between Mitacs and the Embassy of France in Canada will connect start-ups to new markets

Ottawa, ON – Today, Mitacs and the Embassy of France in Canada have signed an agreement to launch learning expeditions to connect 15 Canadian start-ups from universities’ incubators with the French innovation ecosystem through the Mitacs Entrepreneur International (MEI) program. By providing access to the French and European markets, the partners aim to strengthen research and innovation collaborations and develop new business opportunities to participating entrepreneurs.

With the support of French organizations like Business France, Bpifrance, and La French Tech, each expedition will be tailored to fit the needs of the selected start-ups. Participants will join networking events and workshops conducted by experts in their fields. They will also visit incubators, industrial sites, and research facilities.

Through MEI, Mitacs is helping start-ups create linkages with new markets, grow their knowledge of the international investment landscape, and help find opportunities to scale up globally. The program offers a travel grant to Canadian start-ups housed in an incubator or accelerator linked to an academic institution to connect them with host incubators abroad and explore new business development opportunities internationally.

Start-ups interested in the program can find more information on How to apply.

Quotes

Dr. John Hepburn, CEO, Mitacs

“Mitacs and the Embassy of France in Canada have long partnered to create fruitful opportunities for researchers and innovators. Last year, I had the pleasure of leading a Mitacs delegation in a mission to France with the goal of strengthening our collaboration in common priority areas. Today’s agreement builds on that success; now, for the first time, we are working together to launch opportunities for start-ups. We are delighted to expand our partnership and contribute to advancing the whole continuum of innovation.”

Michel Miraillet, Ambassador of France to Canada

“France and Canada share a common goal to help our startups grow globally. However, it can be challenging for startups to expand into new markets and establish trustworthy partnerships. Thanks to the partnership with Mitacs, we aim to provide Canadian startups from universities’ incubators with opportunities to explore the innovative ecosystem in France. France offers many advantages for tech companies including access to a network of scientific specialists and tech talent to address technical issues, and the opportunity to tap into the European market and innovation ecosystem.”

About Mitacs

• Mitacs is a not-for-profit organization that fosters growth and innovation in Canada by solving business challenges with research solutions from the best academic institutions in the world.
• Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.

About the French Embassy in Canada

The Embassy of France in Ottawa is the diplomatic mission of France to Canada. Canada and France enjoy a deep and enduring relationship, one born of a shared history and a common language and anchored by shared values. Official diplomatic relations between France and Canada were established on December 4th, 1928.

Among its services the Cultural and Scientific Services encourages exchanges between France and Canada in education, higher education, research, languages, innovation and audiovisual.

All news from the French cultural and scientific cooperation network in Canada can be found on its website: http://francecanadaculture.org/

MEDIA CONTACT

Mitacs

Monique Rodrigues, Senior Communications Specialist

msilvarodrigues@mitacs.ca – 604 347 6837

Embassy of France in Canada

Aude-Line Ferrand

aude-line.ferrand@diplomatie.gouv.fr – 613 408 70 97

@franceaucanada

@FranceCanadaCulture

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