By Daniela Fisher
Spotlight on Québec
québec
Incubating innovation in Québec
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s a world leader in the life sciences, Québec has always put a strong emphasis on synergy and collaboration. Therefore, it is only natural that the province is home to the Québec Biotechnology Innovation Centre (CQIB), a life sciences incubator that for the past 17 years has been growing strong businesses and helping start-ups enter the industry. Based out of Laval, the CQIB is a not-for-profit organization that provides physical workspace and business advice to early stage companies in the life sciences or health technology industries. The business incubator was founded in 1995, by Laval Technopole and the INRS - IAF (Institut national de la recherche scientifique - Institut ArmandFrappier). “It was a question of mutual success,” says executive director of CQIB, Dupuis Angers. “The development people were referring clients for the incubator, and Laval Technopole was using it as a part of their marketing program, to promote the overall area and make it what it is today.” The incubator soon became a part of various technology and business networks, both in Canada and abroad, offering its mentoring services across Québec as well as internationally. In 2002, the organization was recognized with the “Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year Award” from the National Business Incubation Association. With this distinction under its belt, in 2003 the CQIB relocated to the Laval Biotechnology Development Centre (LBDC), a 128,000 square foot building dedicated to the life sciences. It is here that fledgling entrepreneurs or well-seasoned veterans with start-up compa-
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CQIB is located at the core of Laval’s Biotech City on the grounds of the INRS-IAF. nies can apply to the CQIB to rent laboratory and office space in the incubator. CQIB’s location is a strategic one, as the building is located at the core of Laval’s Biotech City, which has a bio-cluster of more than 80 companies. “Laval has always been very committed to the life sciences sector,” says Angers. “It’s a good location. It’s one of the biggest advantages: the location of the Centre, and also the fiscal programs that have been put in place for the entrepreneurs to work with.” CQIB’s proximity to the life sciences community, and its financial services, are strong attractions for entrepreneurs looking for help cracking into the industry. For Angers, who leads the CQIB along with five team members and a board of directors, helping entrepreneurs go through the incubator is a passion close to his heart. “I really am an entrepreneur at heart,” says Angers, who has a Bachelor in Pharmacy,
a Master’s in business administration from Harvard University, and 35 years’ experience in the private sector. “I like to support entrepreneurs to build their businesses up. That’s the thing I enjoy most, working with entrepreneurs and giving them a hand to make their companies go forward.” As of Dec. 31, 2011, 39 start-up companies have participated in the program, while generating over $70 million in revenues. Through CQIB’s help, these companies have made a significant economic impact. Over the years, it has developed a business model for helping entrepreneurs create and start a business. The secret in part is being adaptable, Angers says. “I would say being flexible, that’s a very, very important point,” says Angers. “When a company needs to adapt to a certain environment; they can rely on us to help them do that.”
