ZÚ SUPPORTS AND PROPELS ENTREPRENEURS WHO CREATE INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO REVOLUTIONIZE CREATIVE ZÚ INDUSTRIES AND GENERATE WORLD-CLASS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES.
Incubator initiated by Guy Laliberté in 2018, Zú offers programs for startups, open innovation services for SMEs and large companies, expertise in financing, including privileged access to a venture capital fund, a local and international network of over a hundred renowned mentors, a unique creative hub in downtown Montreal that brings together state-of-the-art tools and laboratories, business hosting services, and spaces dedicated to research and experimentation with the general public, all under one roof.
Since its launch, more than 90 companies have been supported by coaches and mentors selected and trained by Zú. Thanks to this support, 90% of these startups are still operating today.
Recently, Zú has taken a decisive turn towards responsible technology and creativity. In this regard, the non-profit organization has decided to openly address these topics to raise awareness in the ecosystem about sustainable best practices from the early stages of business development. To materialize this vision, Zú has formed a strategic partnership with the Human Technology Foundation to design sustainable and responsible support modules for entrepreneurs.
In the spirit of entrepreneurial inclusivity, Zú has also launched two grants thanks to the generous support of the Guy Laliberté Foundation. One of these grants aims to support underrepresented entrepreneurs in the sector, including women and minorities, while the other highlights the excellence of a company that has successfully integrated ESG criteria into its business model.
But that’s not all: Zú has also restructured its incubation program. Now, startups that have successfully completed their incubation can continue their collaboration with Zú beyond the standard twelve-month period. This initiative allows entrepreneurs to benefit from ongoing support to refine their projects and promote their long-term success.
Furthermore, Zú is continuously advancing its innovation services through an open innovation program. This program enables startups to connect with major clients and discover inventive solutions to their unique challenges, fostering a climate that encourages technological innovation within the creative industries.
By combining technology, creativity, sustainability, and inclusion, Zú is now positioned as a committed and forward-thinking actor in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This positioning promotes the emergence of meaningful projects that generate positive and lasting impacts.
As a non-profit organization, Zú brings together a community with the ambition of creating wealth in Quebec by promoting creativity from here to all around the world.
Prices and Distinctions:
- Winner of the 2023 Business Development Award from the SDC Montreal City Centre
- Endorsement from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE), selected among the top 10 incubators and accelerators in
Quebec - First incubator for creative industries in Canada to hold the license of the prestigious MIT Venture Mentoring Service (VMS) program
- Financial support from the City of Montreal to foster the creation and growth of startups of the metropolis
