Soirée Mtl inc.: a successful celebration of innovative startups

Dax Dasilva honoured with the Prix de la mairesse and, David Landry of LivingSafe wins the Prix Startup Montréal 

MONTRÉAL, November 25th 2022 – More than 350 people gathered yesterday for the 20th edition of the Soirée Mtl inc. to celebrate innovative entrepreneurship and create business connections. This fundraising event, organized by Startup Montréal and presented by Desjardins, was an opportunity for various Montréal influential personalities and promising startups from the metropolis to come together at the Marché Bonsécours.

The Soirée Mtl inc. was also an opportunity to celebrate Montréal’s entrepreneurs and their contribution to the city’s dynamism and innovative character. The Prix de la mairesse, aimed at highlighting the impact of a personality from the ecosystem, was given to Dax Dasilva, founder and CEO of Lightspeed, by Luc Rabouin, Responsible for economic and commercial development, and design.

Following the pitches, David Landry from LivingSafe won the public’s choice and was awarded the Prix Startup Montréal. Congratulations to the other five finalists who represented their companies brilliantly on stage: Sam Bellamy (Bazookka), Collins Oghor (Collogh Cares), Negin Ashouri (FemtTherapeutics), Thomas Paquin-Lamontagne (Visao), and Amy Lorincz (Vope Medical).

Under the theme “Welcome aboard”, the guests took off to discover Montréal, a city bursting with ambitious, innovative and talented startups that make our city shine. Funds raised during this fundraising event will be donated in the form of grants and coaching to the next cohort of Révélations selected as part of the  Bourse+ program.

Startups interested in joining the Bourse+ program can apply today: https://startupmontreal.com/en/our-projects/bourse-plus/

QUOTES

“This edition has a special meaning: it is an in-person reunion after two virtual editions and the first edition of the Soirée since the creation of Startup Montréal by the merger of Montréal inc. and Bonjour Startup Montréal. We would like to warmly thank all the people who attended and who mobilized to highlight the dynamism of the Montréal startup ecosystem,” says Liette Lamonde, executive director of Startup Montréal. 

“Québec needs the talent of these young entrepreneurs who, through their ingenuity, contribute to modernizing our economy. It takes a lot of audacity, determination and perseverance to launch a business, and being well supported throughout the process obviously makes all the difference, especially for a startup. Desjardins is there to help the next generation of entrepreneurs propel their ambitions forward,” says Jean-Yves Bourgeois, Senior Vice-President, Business Services at Desjardins Group.

“Innovation is part of Montréal’s DNA and we have a vibrant ecosystem. We must, more than ever, support our startups in order to find solutions to the major challenges that lie ahead. The city of Montréal will always support innovation and will continue to help businesses. I am proud to present Mr. Dax Dasilva, founder of Lightspeed, with the Prix de la mairesse 2022. Thank you for being a source of inspiration for our businesses and for making our city shine throughout the world,” said Luc Rabouin, responsible for economic and commercial development, knowledge, innovation and design.

“It is with great pride that I am participating in the 20th edition of the Soirée Mtl inc. to highlight the commitment of our federal government to Startup Montréal. Thanks to the support of our federal government through the Minister of Sports and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), Pascale St-Onge, this organization can continue to assert itself as a reference resource for young Montrealers wishing to start a business. It is by helping our entrepreneurs get the right tools that together we can contribute to a stronger, more resilient and sustainable economy. Congratulations to all the finalists!” stated Rachel Bendayan, Member of Parliament for Outremont and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance.