Caisse introduces global investment hub for Quebec businesses

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has launched espace cdpq, its new investment and development hub for entrepreneurs.

The hub is aimed at helping small-to-medium enterprises in Quebec grow, according to Caisse. The initiative will also bring together eight investors representing close to $1.2 billion capital under management and five organizations committed to boosting businesses in the province.

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“To go further and compete with the world’s best – Silicon Valley, New York, Tel-Aviv – we have to strengthen the culture of collaboration between different economic stakeholders, even between competitors in Quebec,” said Michael Sabia, president and chief executive officer at Caisse.

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“With the creation of espace cdpq, la Caisse will serve as an engine of growth for Quebec companies ready to compete in global markets,” said Michèle Boisvert, executive vice-president of business outreach at Caisse.

Coinciding with its new investment hub, Caisse also introduced fonds espace cdpq, which will dedicate $40 million to financing small-to-medium Quebec ventures that show promise of global success. According to Caisse, an additional $10 million will be divided between two seed funds that will finance companies emerging from incubators and accelerators across the province.

The hub’s first investment, announced earlier this week, was $1.3 million towards virtual reality company Felix & Paul Studios.

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