Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Tourism Innovation Lab

Role of MT Lab in the funding ecosystem

MT Lab is an open innovation platform created in 2016 by Université du Québec à Montréal and Tourisme Montréal. Based in Montréal, it supports startups and innovative projects in tourism, culture, and entertainment through incubation, acceleration, partner matchmaking, and targeted funding support.

The site shows that MT Lab does more than provide networking or visibility: it administers a dedicated project funding program and references a finance and investment committee. Its portfolio includes cohorts for startups at different stages, from incubation to growth, as well as thematic innovation poles tied to sustainability and regional development.

Funding and support streams

• Project funding with two support components, including strategic advisory support.
• Financial support covering 75% of consulting fees for project development, within stated limits.
• Project funding covering 75% of total project value up to 90,000 $ for individual projects and 200,000 $ for collective projects.
• Programs that prepare entrepreneurs in prototyping and pre-commercialization stages for market growth.

Supported audiences and impact

MT Lab’s activities target startups and innovative businesses working on tourism-related solutions. The organization also highlights responsible tourism, sustainable development, and open innovation as core priorities, indicating a broader mandate to shape the sector through project support and ecosystem building.

Governance and history

The organization states that it was founded in 2016 and later opened its premises in 2017. Its website also identifies support from public and industry partners, including the City of Montréal and UQAM, reinforcing its legitimacy as an official ecosystem organization.