Microsoft Partners With Le Camp Incubator & Accelerator to Help Grow Innovative Startups in Quebec

Microsoft invests more than $1 million in cash, product and business services to help Quebec startups thrive

QUÉBEC CITY, Jan. 30, 2019 /CNW/ - Microsoft Canada and business incubator and accelerator LE CAMP today announced a significant partnership which will see Microsoft invest more than $1 million in the Quebec market to help grow the innovative startup ecosystem. Quebec Mayor Regis Lebaume, Microsoft Canada President, Kevin Peesker and Quebec International CEO, Carl Viel announced the partnership today at LE CAMP.  

"It is with great pride that I celebrate this partnership between Microsoft and LE CAMP today; it will fuel innovation and the creation of new businesses in Quebec City," said Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume. "The mentorship provided will offer a solid foundation for the entrepreneurial startups at LE CAMP. It is not surprising that Microsoft chose Québec City for this partnership. Our city has an abundance of highly skilled tech talent and a critical mass of businesses in this sector."

As part of the partnership, Microsoft will provide LE CAMP with access to its cloud-based development tools and solutions, hardware including Surface devices, HoloLens and Xbox, as well as consulting expertise from key talent who will work with entrepreneurs at LE CAMP to unlock their full potential.

"We couldn't be more pleased with this partnership," said Carl Viel, CEO of Quebec International. "LE CAMP and Microsoft have a shared vision of working with innovative startups that bring bold ideas to life and further develop the technology sector in Quebec. Microsoft is providing so much more than tools; they bring the spirit and enthusiasm that is an ideal fit with the 'campers' we support."

"We've already set the stage for the growth of young technology companies in the Québec City region, and thanks to this partnership with Microsoft we can take that even further" said Carl Viel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Québec International. " We will target three sectors in which we already collaborate for success: blockchain, mixed reality (virtual and augmented) and cybersecurity. This will help us grow the region into one of the most innovative in the world."

"The creativity and innovation that we see in Quebec is among the most exciting things happening in technology; we are tremendously pleased to join forces with LE CAMP to help foster growth now and in the future," said Kevin Peesker, President of Microsoft Canada. "Our mission at Microsoft is to empower every person on the planet to achieve more and strategic partnerships with likeminded organizations like LE CAMP will help us reach that goal."

Partnership Details
The partnership between Microsoft and LE CAMP offers Campers a wide array of tools and services to help grow their startups, including:

• Funding to help LE CAMP further invest in Quebec entrepreneurs
• Hardware, including Surface devices, Xbox and HoloLens, providing opportunities to develop tools and apps in the innovative field of mixed and augmented reality
• The Microsoft Collaborative Space, outfitted with a Surface Hub, so Campers can create and collaborate with their colleagues from LE CAMP and around the world
• Microsoft will host training workshops and mentorship sessions at LE CAMP, helping Campers learn the business and technical skills they need to succeed today and in the future
• Select LE CAMP startups will receive a prioritized application path to Microsoft for Startups, providing additional tools for success, including Azure credits, mentorship and opportunities to sell solutions through to some of the biggest companies in the world

About Microsoft
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Inc. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has nine regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering innovation, prosperity and security through great software - any time, any place and on any device. For more information on Microsoft Canada, please visit www.microsoft.ca

About Le Camp
A cornerstone of Québec City's business community, LE CAMP is a vibrant home where ideas flourish and successful businesses are born. LE CAMP is an incubator-accelerator dedicated to growing tech businesses and guiding their creative projects. Located in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood in the heart of Québec City, it gives access to acceleration and incubation programs, as well as improvement and networking activities. LE CAMP is managed and led by Québec International, Québec's metropolitan economic development agency. For more information, please visit lecampquebec.com.

SOURCE Microsoft Canada Inc.