On May 6 and 8, the entrepreneurs of cohorts 10 and 11 of the MT Lab's Networking program had a special experience: a series of VIP visits to the heart of major tourism organizations in Quebec City.
The concept is simple, but the impact is significant: thanks to the MT Lab, 16 young innovative companies have been able to pass through the doors of major players in the tourism industry, doors that are usually inaccessible to start-ups. This unique immersion allows the startups incubated with us to better understand the realities on the ground, to exchange directly with decision-makers and to sow the first seeds of future collaborations.
Strategic immersion
These VIP tours offered startups much more than just a guided tour. They were warmly welcomed at the Port of Québec, the Musée de la civilisation and Apikol, and were able to exchange with Sépaq and the Sustainable Tourism Innovation Hub, all strategic places where innovation is deployed on a large scale. Each meeting allowed the entrepreneurs to discover the backstage of these organizations, their current issues, their future priorities and their concrete needs, in addition to learning more about their culture of innovation and their most recent innovative initiatives.
"The VIP visits were a valuable opportunity to dive into the very concrete realities of these tourism players. Hearing their challenges, projects, and priorities directly from the source helps us align our approach and come up with ideas that really fit their playground... and which also nourish our thinking for other collaborations!" explains Marie-Claude Lachance of Charlie Tango.
At the Port of Québec, startups have discovered the unsuspected scope of the activities carried out on port territory: recreational tourism offerings, welcoming cruise passengers, business intelligence, community relations, etc. A rich and nuanced overview that has made it possible to deconstruct certain preconceived ideas.
The visit to Apikol, a local micro-distiller, offered an inspiring perspective on how to reconcile growth, sustainable values and competitiveness in a niche market. Their zero waste approach, their artisanal creation process and some fascinating anecdotes about bees fuelled some great discussions.
For its part, Sepaq has opened up the debate on the complexity of working with a Crown corporation that manages a huge, structured territory governed by well-defined policies.
Finally, at the Espace Voie libre of the Musée de la civilisation, the entrepreneurs were welcomed by Paysages (a startup from cohort 7 of the MT Lab's Networking program) and the museum's teams. Together, they shared the story of the Intentions Vault, an immersive space designed collaboratively. This meeting opened a sincere dialogue on the winning conditions of a co-creation process between startups and cultural institutions.
In addition to these visits, the startups also added a networking and outreach dimension to their stay by participating in the tourism industry cocktail on the sidelines of the Assises du tourisme as well as in Québec Slush'D. This dynamic of proximity to industry creates a ripple effect, fuels ambition and accelerates growth.
An essential link between worlds
The MT Lab plays a catalytic role here. Without him, these meetings would not take place. It acts as a strategic bridge between two worlds that rarely intersect: that of the great leaders of the tourism industry and that of start-ups that innovate at full speed. These moments of connection allow startups to validate their offer, test ideas, better guide their development, and in some cases, win their first structuring mandates.
Are you an innovative startup?
Registration for the Fall 2025 cohort of the Mesh program will open soon. Stay tuned so you don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with the industry and anchor your growth in the real world.
