the organization we believe in a more human future

mission

Evol is dedicated to the development of diverse and inclusive entrepreneurship in the 17 regions of Quebec and its mission is to contribute directly to the creation, growth and acquisition of businesses that have a positive impact on society.

vision

Recognized for its direct impact on increasing the number of diversified and inclusive businesses in Quebec, Evol plays a leading role in entrepreneurship and actively participates in the economic vitality of our society and in creating a better world.

values

Empathy, integrity, collaboration, excellence and commitment are at the heart of all Evol’s considerations and actions.

purpose

To empower equity-seeking women and men entrepreneurs to actively participate in creating a better world.

Femmessor becomes Evol

Evol is the result of Femmessor’s evolution, an organization that has celebrated 25 years of existence.

The organization was born in the North Shore in 1995 from an initiative led by a group of businesswomen, entrepreneurs and socio-economic actors who combined their efforts and resources to create the very first specialized investment fund for women entrepreneurs.

Given the success of the initiative, the Quebec government decided to support this initiative and ensure the creation of similar organizations offering financing and guidance services for women entrepreneurs, and this, in each region of the province. Thus, between 2001 and 2013, Femmessor was progressively deployed throughout the 17 regions, placing Quebec as one of the most innovative ecosystems in the world in terms of support for women entrepreneurs. 

In 2016, the 17 regional organizations as well as the Femmessor network were merged into one. Then, the Fonds pour les femmes entrepreneures FQ was created through partnerships with Fondaction and Investissement Québec as an agent for the Quebec government. Femmessor then had access to nearly $19 million to support, through conventional loans, businesses with at least one woman in a strategic position and holding at least 25% of the shares and votes.

Then, in 2021, Femmessor expanded its service offering to support more women and men entrepreneurs among clients still underrepresented in entrepreneurship and updated its brand identity to become known as Evol.

Thanks to major partnerships with the Government of Quebec (for which Investissement Quebec is the agent), National Bank, BDC, Fondaction, and the Solidarity Fund QFL. Evol now has access to over $52.5 million to support, through conventional loans, businesses with at least one equity-seeking individual in a strategic position and holding at least 25% of the shares and votes.

Evol is therefore pursuing its ambition to transform the economy to make it more inclusive, equitable and sustainable.

governance

Evol’s Board of Directors is composed of 14 members, the majority of whom are women and men entrepreneurs, who ensure the good governance of the organization. At Evol, we believe that diversity is a guarantee of innovation and success. We rely on the collective intelligence and complementary strengths of our team members.

Board of Directors 2023-2024

Nadia Martel

President (Founding partner, i4 Capital Fund)

Lucie Bourgeois

Vice-president (Founding president, Umalia)

François Faucher

Treasurer (President, Gestion Cinq-F Inc. — Consulting and Support)

Farnel Fleurant

Secretary (Founder and CEO of Workind)

Benoit Auger

Director (CPA, Partner at PwC Canada)

Fatoumata Barry

Director (Director of investment at the Fondation Lucie et André Chagnon)

Marc Bouchard

Administrateur (Vice-président, Gestion des risques de crédit et de participation chez Investissement Québec)

Myriam Crevier

Director (Senior partner and General manager at Syrus)

Bhaskor Guha

Director (Founder, TLM)

Nathalie Nasseri

Director (Senior business advisor at Inno-Centre)

Richard Painchaud

Director (President, Kourant Technologies Inc.)

Patrick Thibault

Director (President of 11 806 416 Canada Inc & fractional CFO)

Emmanuelle Toussaint

Director (Vice-president, Cléo Innovations Inc.)

Michelle Nollet

Observatrice (Conseillère, Direction du soutien à l’entrepreneuriat et aux créneaux d’excellence, Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation)

Evol’s CEO

Géraldine Martin

Géraldine Martin has been CEO of Evol since June 2023. With a degree in finance and a passion for communications, she worked in the media and economic development, determined to make a difference in the lives of entrepreneurs. Convinced that business owners play an essential, transformative role in social and sustainable economic development, Géraldine is now pursuing Evol’s mission to support businesses with diversified, inclusive ownership that want to have a positive impact on society.