ÉAU: aquaponics for food independence

When passion serves the community, everyone wins! We saw the evidence of this in talking to Benjamin Laramée, cofounder and scientific director of ÉAU. First things first: we were blown away by Benjamin’s passion and the company’s many innovations. ÉAU (Écosystèmes Alimentaires Urbains) develops commercial aquaponic farms that produce fresh, healthy, local food year-round, regardless … Continued

VG Gourmet Vegetarian Foods Inc.: Entrepreneurship that tastes great!

Have you ever noticed the benefits of a meandering discussion with happy people? That’s what we experienced when we talked to Emmanuel Castiel and Chantal Bekhor about their company VG Gourmet Vegetarian Foods Inc. Pure delight! Let yourself be transported into this business’s delicious world. Their journey Chantal Bekhor was a fifth-grade teacher of math, science, … Continued

Sustainable development as seen by 5 inspiring businesses

As shown in our View on Integrating Sustainable Development in Business, published in November 2023, one in three entrepreneurs still haven’t integrated sustainable development to their business. And one of the main obstacles is the impression that sustainable development doesn’t apply to their field. Yet, any business can take new action on sustainable development, regardless … Continued

Exode en Nature: the secret to decompressing

The frenzied pace of life has us missing out on the essentials. That’s what two ocean lovers discovered when they set foot back on terra ferma. The sailors became entrepreneurs — purveyors of joy. This is a story as unique as their business. Propelled by their dreams of adventure, in full sail, course set on … Continued

Timininous: an environmentally friendly brand that helps kids enjoy nature

What happens when a young communications professional, fuelled by adrenaline, starts making children’s merino wool clothing. Starting an innovative business to solve a problem was the impetus behind Marie-Renée Grondin’s business project. Here’s the story of Timininous. The tipping point in the life and career of Marie-Renée Grondin, president of Timininous, has a date and … Continued

Élance’s mission: to create inclusive professional spaces

Relying on the precision of data grounded in fact, empathy, and a drive for change, two young women from immigrant backgrounds have built a startup that is transforming the world of DEI. Meet Élance. DEI: diversity, equity, inclusion. Decried by some, heralded by others, the idea of DEI has made headway in most spheres and … Continued

Floèm: an entrepreneurial journey with boreal roots

Floèm, reminiscent of poem, is the name of a unique, young Quebec business. While the business is based in Montreal, its soul came into being in the boreal forest, and its mission bloomed as naturally as a flower: to bring the richness of Quebec’s boreal forest to the world. This is the portrait of an … Continued

Café le Torréfacteur: listening to clients and the team

When you walk through the door of Café le Torréfacteur in Lévis, after you have breathed in the incredible aroma of coffee, what you notice next is the smiles. The smiles of clients, of course, but also of the team behind the counter. You can feel their enjoyment in being there, both from owner Nancy … Continued

Motel Fraser: ensuring growth through sustainable development

Taking over a business is a major challenge, even more so when you want to give it a new lease on life and instill your own values, particularly in terms of sustainable development. This is the project Nadia-Karina Minassian initiated when she acquired the Motel Fraser with her spouse and parents in 2010. Let’s take … Continued