Launching of InnoCité MTL, a new accelerator for startups, for a smarter city

MONTRÉAL, June 1, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The Mayor of Montréal, Denis Coderre, and the Vice-chair of the Montréal Executive Committee, responsible for the smart city, information technologies, administrative reform and youth, Harout Chitilian, launched InnoCité MTL, a business accelerator that aims to support and accompany startup businesses in the "smart city" economic cluster.

This project benefits from $148,481 in financial support from the Ville de Montréal through financial assistance from the Gouvernement du Québec awarded as part of the Entente Montréal 2025, which is managed by the Secrétariat à la region métropolitaine.

"Montréal is pleased to support the development of InnoCité MTL, an initiative that is part of the 70 projects of the city's smart and digital action plan for 2015-2017. Made possible through a financial contribution of the Gouvernement du Québec and involvement of the business community, this new accelerator will help emerging technology companies to develop local job-creating projects, in addition to addressing concrete problems. This project will generate economic spinoffs that will contribute to the growth of our metropolis, which is a leader among smart and digital cities," said the Mayor of Montréal, Denis Coderre.

"Projects such as the one launched today by our city will help to strengthen the position of our metropolis as a smart and digital city. InnoCité MTL will address some of the needs set forth by Montrealers, by implementing innovative and creative solutions, as well as stimulate entrepreneurship and the sharing of ideas. I acknowledge the work of all those involved in this structuring project," said Minister Robert Poëti.

InnoCité MTL, in short
InnoCité MTL is a business accelerator program that responds directly to the needs of Montrealers. As such, the private sector, especially startup businesses, will offer solutions to urban challenges, focusing mainly on the programs that received priority as part of the city's smart and digital action plan for 2015-2017. Website : //villeintelligente.montreal.ca/

"The Montréal business community is responding favourably to InnoCité MTL. Already, several important local businesses and organizations have shown interest in being part of the accelerator's activities. Clearly, we must innovate and reinvent ourselves to find new solutions. We are thoroughly convinced that these innovations and developments will benefit the community," said InnoCité MTL Chairman of the Board, Jacques Bernier.

Entrepreneurs wanted
InnoCité MTL is looking for local and international candidates who have projects to develop and who wish to obtain financing to see them through. The selection process for startups will enable entrepreneurs to take part in brainstorming sessions, development challenges, and above all, to be accompanied throughout the process of submitting a project to the accelerator.  To be accepted, the projects will be evaluated based on several criteria, including business plan quality, growth potential and relevance with the smart city's fields of action. Once the project is accepted, InnoCité MTL will offer a down payment of $50,000 for the acceleration phase and additional accompaniment for projects that reach the prototyping stage. The entrepreneurs that are chosen will benefit from a series of accompaniment services. For more information, or to register, candidates may visit www.innocitemtl.ca.

Several partners on board
In addition to the partnership with the Ville de Montréal, several organizations have already confirmed their financial contribution, including TELUS and PagesJaunes, as sponsors of InnoCité MTL, as well as Real Ventures, PagesJaunes and Québecor, as investors for the startups to enter the program.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

For further information: Sources: Catherine Maurice, Press Attaché, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee, 514 346-7598, Anne-Catherine Couture, Press Attaché, Cabinet du ministre des Transports et ministre responsable de la région de Montréal, Téléphone: 418 643-6980; Renseignements : Valérie De Gagné, Public Relations Officer, Service des communications, 514 872-6013