Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Main

Founded in 2016, the Quebec Movement of Innovation Accelerators (MAIN) is a non-profit organization that brings together all the players supporting young innovative companies across the province. As the first Quebec-wide grouping of incubators, accelerators and other support organizations, MAIN’s mission is to “give entrepreneurs the courage to risk” – ultimately aiming to increase the startup support ecosystem’s impact on the development of entrepreneurship and innovation throughout Quebec. To achieve this, the organization strengthens the ecosystem’s cohesion and coordination by ensuring continuous support throughout the startup lifecycle, enhancing and aligning support services across the territory, and pooling resources and expertise for the benefit of entrepreneurs. At the same time, MAIN empowers incubators, accelerators and support professionals by providing targeted training, conducting research initiatives and creating networking opportunities that lead to fruitful collaborations within the community. As a voice for organizations that support entrepreneurs, MAIN promotes the role and impact of incubation and acceleration to ecosystem partners and decision-makers, fostering a spirit of co-creation and collaboration. The movement upholds values of inclusion, community and knowledge-sharing, convinced that diversity of perspectives and mutual support are what make the ecosystem strong. In practical terms, MAIN coordinates flagship initiatives such as the Accelerators Summit, an annual gathering of innovation leaders that strengthens Quebec’s ability to effectively support its startups and help them reach their full potential. The organization also leads collaborative programs like Momentum, which has already helped accelerate over 375 promising startups from initial market entry to growth since 2021. Backed by key partners – notably Quebec’s Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy – and a network of over 170 organizations across all 17 regions of Quebec (including around fifty incubators and accelerators), MAIN is helping build a stronger, more efficient and coherent entrepreneurial ecosystem, one that generates a lasting impact on the development of entrepreneurship and innovation throughout the province.