InvestorInvesting for the financial future of Quebec.
Montréal startup ecosystem
Explore documented companies, programs, research institutions, and investors connected to Montréal. Superscout does not promise local investment access.
About
Montreal, Quebec, is known for its thriving startup and venture capital (VC) ecosystem. The city boasts a vibrant tech scene and has positioned itself as a global leader in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and gaming. Notable startups such as Element AI, founded by Yoshua Bengio, who is also a Turing Award winner, have their roots in Montreal.
Another success story from Montreal is that of Lightspeed POS, a point-of-sale software provider for retail and restaurant businesses. The company, founded by Dax Dasilva, went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2019 and has become a significant player in its industry.
In terms of venture capital, Montreal has attracted significant investments from local and international firms. Real Ventures, iNovia Capital, and Relay Ventures are amongst the notable VC firms based in the city. These firms provide not only financial support but also guidance and networking opportunities for new startups.
Cooperation with academic institutions is a key part of Montreal's startup ecosystem. For instance, the MILA – Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, founded by Yoshua Bengio, offers training programs and supports research in deep learning and machine learning. Universities such as McGill and Concordia also have collaboration initiatives with startups, providing both talent and research support.
The city's government also plays a crucial role in supporting startups. The City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec offer various programs and initiatives to boost entrepreneurship. For example, the PME MTL network, supported by the city, provides aid in the form of advice, financing, and training to entrepreneurs. Bonjour Startup Montreal, a non-profit organization, also strives to accelerate the creation, growth, and media visibility of Montreal startups.
Montreal's startup and VC ecosystem is multi-lingual, with both French and English spoken widely, which adds to the city's appeal to international entrepreneurs and investors.
This month
On in Montréal this month
16 startup events in the next 30 days, 6 this week, 13 free. The city as a calendar, with the hosts and venues that keep it full.
Wednesday, Nov 4
Après Mila - Des algorithmes qui chauffent la planète : l'impact de l'IA
Lucyle Depoërs · La Cale - pub zéro déchetFreeSaaSpasse × Amiral au Monastère
Joelle Arsenault · Le MonastèreThursday, Nov 5
Demo Day 2026
Demo day · McGill Ventures · Espace CDPQODSC AI Skills Accelerator | Montreal
ODSC AI · 397A Rue Sainte-Catherine OuestFreeGRADCONNECT2026: Tech Trivia Night
Jeffrey To · Mila - Quebec AI InstituteFreeRegular hostsAntoine Riachi · 2Centech · 2Superteam Canada · 2KindsConferences · 1Demo days · 1Workshops · 1
Startup ecosystem standing
Where Montréal ranks
| Ranking | Edition | Listed as | Position | Since last edition | Trust | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER) | GSER 2026 | Montréal | =40 | Down 1 | C | Ecosystem, Performance, Finance, Talent, Innovation |
 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (cities) | 2025 | Montreal | #46 | No prior edition | B | Ecosystem, Activity, Finance, Business Climate |
 Global Financial Centres Index | GFCI 40 | Montreal | #50 | Down 16 | B | Finance, Competitiveness, Business Climate |
 Global Innovation Index: Innovation Cluster Ranking (formerly Science and Technology Clusters) | 2026 | Montréal | #62 | No change | B | Innovation, Research, Activity |
178 organizations with a profile
Who's based in Montréal
Investors 129
Investor
InvestorInvesting in high-potential vertical SaaS businesses.
InvestorInvesting in Quebec's future through worker savings.
The 3 most prominent of 129. Browse all investors
Incubators 22
IncubatorSupporting Quebec tech startups from early-stage to growth.
IncubatorAccelerating deeptech startups in Montreal.
IncubatorEmpowering startups through innovation and support.
The 3 most prominent of 22. Browse all incubators
Venture studios 14
Venture studioBuilding and investing in early-stage technology companies.
Venture studioBuilding deep-tech startups from university innovations.
Venture studioAdvancing precision medicine through innovation.
The 3 most prominent of 14. Browse all venture studios
Accelerators 13
AcceleratorNEXT AI is an accelerator and founder development program for early-stage AI-powered startups, based in Montreal, Quebec. It supports founders across…
AcceleratorLa Piscine MTL is a creative and cultural business accelerator located in Montreal, Quebec, focusing on supporting creators and entrepreneurs in the…
AcceleratorIncubator for tourism, culture, and entertainment startups.
The 3 most prominent of 13. Browse all accelerators
Based here, most-ranked first
Universities in Montréal
UniversityListed in 8 rankings
Pick what describes you
Your way in
Raising in Montréal
Investors based here, and the programs that take teams at your stage.
Get investor introsFinding startups in Montréal
Accelerators and incubators here see the earliest teams first.
Get startups that fitScouting in Montréal
Campuses and communities are where teams form before anyone funds them.
Start scoutingFrom public sources
What the sources say about Montréal
BetaKit described Sama as San Francisco-headquartered with a substantial Montréal hub; its staffing plans are historical, not current figures.
Source: San Francisco AI startup Sama eyes Montréal R&D expansion with $70 million Series B roundReal Ventures' current FAQ describes follow-on focus, so founders should not infer open new-company investment intake.
Source: Contact - Real Ventures | A Leading Canadian Early-stage VC FirmBetaKit reports a national Mila-Inovia fund targeting US$100M for at least 55 AI-native startups; current intake remains unverified.
Source: Mila and Inovia launch venture fund to turn AI research “diamonds” into startupsMila says selected participants could access resources and activities from the three institutions.
Source: Mila, CDL et NEXT AI Montréal lancent le réseau Passeport IAMila reports supporting HomePorter's AI property-inspection product, without establishing local founding.
Source: Impact Report 2024-2025Mila describes its research support to LightX's eye-care AI project; this does not verify the startup's founding location.
Source: Impact Report 2024-2025
Questions about Montréal
How does Montréal rank as a startup ecosystem?
Montréal is #46 of 1,473 in StartupBlink Index (cities) (2025). It appears in 4 published rankings; the table above lists each one.
How many startup investors are based in Montréal?
129 investors based in Montréal have a profile here, including Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), Manos Software Group and Fonds de solidarité FTQ. The real number is higher.
Are there accelerators or incubators in Montréal?
Yes. Montréal has 13 accelerators, 22 incubators and 14 venture studios on record, including NEXT AI, CEIM and Diagram Ventures.
Which universities are in Montréal?
One university has a profile: McGill University.
Geographic proximity
Nearby cities to Montréal
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