Founded in 1996 at the initiative of the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), Centech is marking its 30th anniversary this year with its sights firmly set on the future. Created at a time when tech entrepreneurship in Quebec was still emerging, Centech has grown over the years into a world-class player, recognized as one of the top 10 university incubators in the world by UBI Global. Rooted in Quebec’s economy, the organization supports tech entrepreneurs throughout their growth journey and helps organizations transform through innovation.
Over the past three decades, Centech has evolved alongside its ecosystem, adapting its support models to the new realities of innovation.
Building on its experience, Centech intends to strengthen its position as a world-class innovation platform. By designing programs tailored to technological and industrial realities, mobilizing expertise and creating opportunities for collaboration, it helps bring forward and accelerate the deep technologies that will shape tomorrow’s industry in hardware, medtech and AI. Now located within Espace Ax.c, Centech is also continuing its development at the heart of an ecosystem that brings together key players in Quebec’s tech entrepreneurship and innovation community.
In 2025, Centech supported 234 companies through its acceleration, propulsion and open innovation programs.
Over the past five years, the startups it has supported have generated $327.8 million in sales and secured $677.6 million in investment. They have contributed to the creation of 1,118 jobs and been granted 73 patents. In addition, more than 2,770 people took part in Centech events in 2025.
“What has made Centech strong for 30 years isn’t just the technologies we’ve helped propel, but the people behind them and those who choose to support them. It’s an entire community moving forward together, with a collective strength that allows us to approach the coming decades with confidence and ambition.” – Marjorick Foisy, Executive Director, Centech
“By creating Centech in 1996, ÉTS affirmed its commitment to placing tech entrepreneurship at the heart of its innovation mission. Thirty years later, we are proud to see that vision translate into a lasting contribution to Quebec’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through Centech, we continue to support entrepreneurs who push the boundaries of technology and help address the challenges facing our society.” – Kathy Baig, Director General and Chief Executive Officer, ÉTS
To mark the anniversary, Centech is giving the floor to those who have shaped its history and are shaping its future. In a series of video testimonials, former leaders, partners and members of the ecosystem look back on key moments in its evolution and on the people who helped build its community.
Because behind 30 years of innovation are, above all, people, collaborations, ideas and a shared ambition focused on the future.
Founded in 1996 at the initiative of ÉTS (École de technologie supérieure), Centech is a world-class hub rooted in Quebec’s economy that designs human-centred acceleration programs. It supports tech entrepreneurs and helps organizations transform through innovation by creating experiences where entrepreneurs, experts and partners collaborate to accelerate the commercialization of tomorrow’s technologies.
Specializing in university education and applied research in engineering and technology, ÉTS is the largest engineering faculty in Quebec and the second largest in Canada. Its co-operative education model and some 50 student science clubs and groups inspire its engaged community to take initiative and innovate in ways that make a meaningful impact on society’s technological development. ÉTS maintains unique and close ties with the business community and industry: 70% of its research activities are conducted with and for companies in Quebec, Canada and internationally. It has established itself as a key player in the innovation cycle, notably by founding Centech, ranked among the 10 top-performing incubators in the world.