Capital innovation serves as a bridge between leading-edge technologies, entrepreneurs, investors and experts in commercialization, selected 14 companies this year from the university milieu, including seven from Polytechnique. These businesses and more than 60 other entrepreneurs from across Québec, chosen for the quality and potential of their projects, will benefit from expanded support for three months and can present their projects to Québec's largest network of angel investors and venture capital managers.

Gilles Savard, Director of Research and Innovation at Polytechnique, took great pride in announcing the 2011 winners from Polytechnique. "I heartily congratulate the entrepreneurs heading these technology firms for their spirit of enterprise and their talent as innovators," Mr. Savard stated at the launch. "Capital innovation will give them a unique opportunity to benefit from the advice of experienced entrepreneurs and to meet investors, thereby giving their projects a greater chance of success."

Companies selected

• ADLG (Poly/ÉTS), which develops new-generation design software;
• Biomomentum (Poly), which develops and markets innovative test solutions for biomaterials and joint cartilage;
• TechnoWait (Poly), which provides innovative waiting line management solutions for frontline healthcare establishments;
• V2R Biomedical (Poly), which specializes in the design of multifunctional surgical tools for inserting dental implants;
• LITO Green Motion (Poly/HÉC), which specializes in on-board systems for electric vehicles;
• Inovae (Poly), which offers energy management and asset management solutions for buildings;
• Space codesign systems (Poly), which offers development services for on-board electronic systems.

 
"Québec entrepreneurs are recognized for the world-class quality of their innovations," said Martin Duchaîne, President of Capital innovation. "This initial cohort of Capital innovation entrepreneurs from research institutions was put together in partnership with Polytechnique Montréal and the Québec university milieu. It is a giant step toward developing this wealth with the support of investors and the business community."

Mr. Savard added: "Universities and engineering schools - including Polytechnique, Québec's biggest - are vital to our innovative companies. The economic impact is substantial: Montréal is among the top five centres in North America for the concentration of high-tech jobs, along with Boston, Washington, Dallas and Seattle."

Robert Brouillette, an angel investor who has extensive experience with high-technology firms and who sits on the board of Anges Québec, stated: "Québec's high-tech entrepreneurs have enormous potential, but they also have major challenges to meet, in particular when the time comes to go to market. This is why angel investors, most of whom are experienced entrepreneurs, have plenty to offer them and can promote their success."

Michel Besner, co-founder of Kaydara and a successful entrepreneur who has become an angel investor, noted: "Success is within reach of Québec entrepreneurs, and there must be no limitations to their ambitions! We started Kaydara as soon as I finished my studies at Polytechnique with a technology that revolutionized the film and video game industry worldwide. We are proud today to be supporting the next generation."

Polytechnique congratulates its promising young entrepreneurs!


To find out more :
www.capitalinnovation.ca/index_en.html
www.mdeie.gouv.qc.ca/ministere/english/about-us/