Le Monde acknowledges Quartier de l'innovation de Montréal's contribution to urban innovation

http://www.lemonde.fr/acces-restreint/les-prix-de-l-innovation/article/2016/05/20/6d6e649965686ac5956a6169629a69_4923232_4811683.html [in French only]

MONTREAL, May 20, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - The Société du Quartier de l'innovation de Montréal (QI) is proud to announce that it has been honoured by Le Journal Le Monde as a runner-up for the grand prize in the urban innovation category of its Smart Cities innovation awards. This contest held by the world-renowned French newspaper acknowledges innovative solutions for improving urban life. The exercise is aimed at promoting initiatives that deserve to be recognized so they can serve as an example for the application of other concrete solutions elsewhere.

"In receiving this high honour, QI has again demonstrated its value on the international stage. It is a worthy representative of Montreal's creativity and a unique ambassador for the city. QI makes a concrete contribution to establishing Montreal's brand image, as well as creating conditions essential to entrepreneurial networking," said Montreal's mayor, Denis Coderre.

 "This recognition by the French newspaper Le Monde means a great deal to us. A second-place finish in an international competition of this stature has considerable symbolic value and makes us believe our efforts are achieving results. It's especially interesting to note that Le Monde recognized QI's concrete contribution to the lives of Montrealers, demonstrating its growing role in this important realm," added Damien Silès, executive director of Quartier de l'Innovation.

The categories include a grand prize for urban innovation, prizes for civic participation, habitat, mobility and energy, as well as a special jury prize, "Ville 1984."

Le Monde Smart Cities innovation awards
"With these awards, Le Monde celebrates innovative solutions for improving urban life: It is aimed at promoting innovations that would benefit from wider exposure so as to serve as examples to be followed or adapted. It is open to individuals, private companies, associations or public institutions, with no geographic restrictions, whose projects are already under way and may have undergone an initial assessment. It is not about rewarding these institutions but rather, acknowledging the concrete solutions being implemented by these players."

About Quartier de l'innovation (QI)
The Quartier de l'innovation is an ecosystem of innovation in the heart of Montreal that aims to boost the potential for creativity in the city. QI was launched in May 2013 by the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), with McGill and Concordia universities joining the project in 2015. It focuses on the complementary resources of its founding institutions and numerous partners in research, training, innovation and entrepreneurship. QI is located between Rene Levesque Boulevard and the Lachine Canal (north to south) and McGill Street and Atwater Avenue (east to west). It focuses its activity in four areas: training and research, social and cultural, industrial, and urban. For more information: www.quartierinnovationmontreal.com

SOURCE Quartier de l'innovation de Montréal

For further information: Information for journalists: Anik Le Marquand, 514-843-2342, [email protected]; Jean-Alexandre D'Etcheverry, 514-843-2369, [email protected]