Transforming Canada's researchers into innovation leaders and entrepreneurs.

We look for the brightest minds and help them bridge the knowledge, skills and resource gap to bring their research to market.

Building a resilient and prosperous economy

Quebec is noticeably resourceful in terms of the number of graduate students and R&D funding. Despite the opportunities, the conversion rate of master’s, PhDs, and postdoc researchers into entrepreneurs is less than 1%. Researchers are under-served and have difficulties in finding jobs relevant to their academic expertise.

In collaboration with the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ), District 3, and V1 Studio we aim to stimulate the economy by creating deep tech ventures and jobs for highly skilled and specialized graduates and researchers. This initiative is not in opposition with fundamental research—it is a complement for bringing research from the lab to the market for global impact.

Our Impact

700+
QcSE Graduates
& Researchers
Trained
60+
New Companies
Created &
Accelerated
10
Cohorts
61%
PhD/POSTDOC
RESEARCHERS
(39% Masters)
4,900+
scientific student researchers
sensitized to entrepreneurship
40%
WOMEN RESEARCHERS
IN STEM

QcSE is proud to be training emerging researchers throughout Quebec.

  • McGill University
  • Université de Montréal
  • Institut national de la recherche scientifique
  • École Polytechnique de Montréal
  • École de technologie supérieure
  • Concordia University
  • Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR)
  • Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
  • UNIVERSITÉ TÉLUQ
  • Université Laval
  • Université de Sherbrooke
  • Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)
  • Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
  • L’Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR)

“Bridging the gap between the lab and commercialization will allow researchers to pursue an entirely new path. Their scientific knowledge combined with the right support could see several innovations come to market that positively impacts employment in the province.”

Xavier-Henri Hervé, Executive Director of District 3

OUR TEAM

Diana Horqque Ratto
Executive Director
Diana Horqque Ratto
Executive Director
Alice Vervaeke
QcSE Program Lead
Alice Vervaeke
QcSE Program Lead
Andrea Mendoza
Programs & Operations Manager
Andrea Mendoza
Programs & Operations Manager
Julie Douchin
Program Lead
Julie Douchin
Program Lead
Annie DeMelt
Marketing & Communication Lead
Annie DeMelt
Marketing & Communication Lead
Patrick Vespa
Program lead & Venture Manager
Patrick Vespa
Program lead & Venture Manager
Analisa Wong
Operations & Administration Coordinator
Analisa Wong
Operations & Administration Coordinator
Eva Rokakis
Operations & Administration Associate
Eva Rokakis
Operations & Administration Associate
Arthur Brousseau-Regaudie
Graphic Designer
Arthur Brousseau-Regaudie
Graphic Designer

Funding partner

FRQ

Academic partners