The second edition of Montréal Impact Week, a joint initiative by Startup Montréal several other entities in the Montréal startup ecosystem, has officially kicked off
Taking place from November 14 to 18, Montréal Impact Week was created to help the Montréal startup ecosystem reconcile social, environmental, and economic impact. The initiative was organized in collaboration with District 3, Esplanade Québec, the pôle Ideos-HEC Montréal, the Maison de l’innovation sociale and Polytechnique Montréal.
“This week of activities … aims to encourage action and demonstrate that we have all the necessary means in place in Quebec to develop our impact reflex.”
– Liette Lamonde, Startup Montréal executive director
Throughout the week, a total of 15 workshops, panels, and events will take place, virtually or in person. This includes discussions about societal and environmental issues; measuring impact; and understanding impact investing, among others.
The event began on Monday with Joseph El-Khoury, project manager at Ideos’ social impact management unit, who led a discussion about social and environmental issues like the climate crisis, social inequalities, and systemic racism. Panels on Tuesday will focus on innovating to act with a focus on the themes of aging and the climate crisis, concluded with a pitch competition presented by National Bank of Canada.
El-Khoury will return on Wednesday, alongside House of Social Innovation director of social entrepreneurship Hugo Steben, to talk about the integration of impact into startups’ business models. Wednesday will also include panels on essential tools for supporting impact businesses, ensuring an authentic impact measurement, and pitches from Québec innovators that want to solve key health issues in the province.
On Thursday, at the District3 Innovation Center, program manager Ondine Hogeboom will give a presentation about the Flourishing Business Canvas, a visual design tool meant to design the economic, social, and environmental aspects of an organization’s business model. On this day, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in impact investing and social impact-focused pitch workshops.
The last day of the event will include a panel on the “impossible” marriage of impact and money, as well as Fuckup Nights—an event series where people share business and personal failures.
“Montréal startups and the entire ecosystem need and want to take action, given the magnitude of the social and environmental challenges we collectively face,” said Liette Lamonde, executive director of Startup Montréal. “This week of activities … aims to encourage action and demonstrate that we have all the necessary means in place in Quebec to develop our impact reflex.”
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Startup Montréal was formed earlier this year through the amalgamation of innovation organizations Bonjour Startup Montréal and Montréal Inc. The organization is backed by $60,000 of financial assistance over three years from the Fonds d’initiative et de rayonnement de la Métropole of the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine of the ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation. This funding is aimed at the implementation of Startup Montréal’s entrepreneurial impact awareness campaign, including the organization of Impact Week.
Last year’s Impact Week was also a hybrid event, with both virtual components and a physical experience at Notman House.
Featured image courtesy Startup Montréal.