The organization was created in 2018, following a regional consultation and consensus-building process to establish the proper positioning of the organization. The complementarity of the organization’s mission along with all the partners of the development and innovation ecosystem in the region led to the creation of a new entity in its own right: EACAT. Following rigorous strategic thinking, strategic planning and recruitment, the regular operations of the organization began in 2020-2021.
EACAT’s mission is to develop a regional environment that is conducive to the development of innovative and wealth creating projects by working in synergy and complementarity with all stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. To do so, EACAT works in close collaboration with all territorial, regional, and national partners that offer business support services.
The objective of EACAT’s initiatives is to stimulate the implementation of innovation projects among Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s SMEs, and to ensure adequate support throughout the development, planning, implementation, and follow-up processes.
Marie-Pier Bernard Directrice régionale
To do so, EACAT establishes targeted and various activities and events, grouped support, as well as financing, to support the growth of the region’s SMEs at levels that are complementary to the offers already available in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue territory.
Raphaël Piché Chargé de projet à l’innovation
Innovation, continuous improvement, digital transition, and eco-responsible practices are themes on which EACAT has begun its activities to stimulate and support businesses.
The organization wants to be agile and flexible in order to offer services and projects in cohesion with the most promising priorities and opportunities for the sustainability of SMEs in the region. There are many projects are still to come!