Preparing for the U.S. Market with Startup Genome

The U.S. market represents a significant opportunity for Quebec startups aiming to expand internationally. With a competitive yet promising environment, a solid entry strategy is essential. On October 25, 2024, Startup Genome launched a program to help 15 Quebec startups prepare for the U.S. market, supported by Québec Tech.

Why entering the U.S. market is a major challenge

Despite being geographically close, the U.S. market presents significant challenges for Quebec startups. Limited access to experienced executives with global commercialization expertise often becomes a barrier to growth. This program addresses these challenges by providing support from Silicon Valley executives and accomplished tech leaders.

Tailored support to maximize success

Over the course of three months, selected startups will receive various forms of support:

• Group workshops on selling to American companies and access to a panel of U.S. clients and industry experts to refine their approach.
• Individual mentoring sessions with experienced executives.
• An intensive eight-week training on product management, leadership, and team building, delivered by Linky Product.

Startups embodying Quebec's flagship expertise

Immersive technologies, connected clothing, medtech, biotech, and cleantech are just some of the industries represented by the 15 selected companies, true ambassadors of Quebec's innovation expertise. Each startup has been incubated or accelerated by key players in the Quebec ecosystem. Discover the startups and the organizations that referred them:

• 4Elements: 4Elements create immersive experiences in extended reality (XR). They are currently supported by MT Lab, an accelerator specializing in tourism, culture, and entertainment.
• CarInspect: CarInspect is an "Inspection As A Service" solution connected to a network of certified mechanics. CarInspect enables its customers to make informed decisions on vehicles. They were incubated by La Base Entrepreneuriale HEC Montréal, which supports innovative projects by students and graduates.
• CartoVista: Cartovista helps organizations understand their data through specialist interactive cartographic solutions for geospatial data analysis. They were supported by District 3, a university incubator for technological and scientific innovation.‍
• ewool: ewool develops connected heated clothing. They are supported by PME MTL Centre-ville, which assists Montreal SMEs through various economic development services.
• ‍Happly: Happly Ai is an award-winning platform which democratizes funding opportunities by helping users find, apply & qualify for grants, procurements, tax credits & programs based on their unique profile. They were recommended by Investissement Québec International, which helps companies internationalize and attract foreign investment.‍
• Incendia: Incendia provides an integrated civil protection hub that leverages AI, advanced sensors and multi-channel communication to detect and respond to emergencies. They are supported by Garage & Co, a hub dedicated to hardtech innovation.‍
• Ivano Bioscience: Ivano Bioscience helps laboratories optimize their analytical capabilities during vaccine and drug discovery against infectious diseases. They were incubated at Centech, a business incubator and accelerator.‍
• ‍ModaMatch: Moda Match is an generative A.I. apparel technology company addressing industry pain points associated with image production through photorealistic A.I. models. They were referred by PME MTL Centre-ville.‍
• Moduly:  Moduly offers a Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS) platform, Moduly Hubz, for residential and commercial users. Our solution turns isolated energy monitoring into a fully AI-driven, centralized ecosystem, optimizing energy storage, solar inverters, and EV management to reduce peak demand, emissions, and costs. They were referred by Cycle Momentum, an accelerator for clean technology companies.‍
• Neuro Solutions Group: NSG uses avatars & gamification to provide CBT for children and parental guidance and brings insightful data to HCPs to better manage treatment plans.They were supported by CTS Santé, which assists innovative companies in the health sector.‍
• Niosense: Niosense specializes in innovative urban solutions, focusing on Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies and smart infrastructure. They collaborate with cities and organisations to improve traffic management, enhance vehicle prioritization at traffic lights, and foster sustainable urban mobility.They were referred by IVÉO, an innovation platform for smart cities.‍
• PieceMeal: Piecemeal is a powerful SaaS platform that revolutionizes workforce and inventory management for hospitality and food service operators with unique automation, reducing costs and streamlining operations.They were supported by MT Lab.
• ‍Relocalize: Relocalize revolutionizes the food supply chain with advanced micro-factories that produce, package, and palletize food directly at distribution centers, eliminating middle-mile logistics and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They are alumni of Creative Destruction Lab - Montreal, a mentoring program for high-impact tech startups.‍
• Simmunome: Simmunome is a TechBio company enhancing the predictability of clinical drug development to prevent late-stage failures for biopharmas. They are alumni of Creative Destruction Lab - Montreal.‍
• StreamForge: Streamforge is an AI-based influencer marketing platform that analyzes billions of data points to help companies identify the most relevant content creators and audiences for their products, and define the most effective campaign strategies across various social platforms.They are supported by Zú, an accelerator dedicated to creative industry startups.

These startups represent the best of Quebec innovation. Their journey into the U.S. market is just beginning, and with this program, they have all the tools to succeed. Stay tuned as we share some of their training content through blog articles!

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