Mount the box in the main metropolis of Quebec city? No problem. You just need a good project and a lot of energy. Meeting with some French people who have dared to.

“The city is a true laboratory of ideas” (Julian Abril, Graphics eMotion)

“It was necessary that I find a job where I can create technology environments that make you react to people emotionally.” It was during an internship in Montreal for his studies of cinema and 3D animation at the Esra, Brittany, Julien Abril realizes the creative power of the quebec metropolis. He decides to move there as soon as his graduation, creates a first company in 2007, then rises in 2011 Graphics eMotion, specializing in visual performance in 2D and 3D. “Montreal is so cosmopolitan, it is a true laboratory of ideas! It is unique in the world. To succeed, we need to integrate and capitalize on this cultural diversity and diversify its network, ” he says. In France, as long as you haven’t shown that you’re good, you’re bad. Here, it is the opposite… We will let you have a chance!”

Still it is necessary to have the taste for risk and be ready to move forward without a safety net: “In our business, the penalty falls out immediately: if people do not applaud, not at the end, it is finished. But when they applaud… then, there, this is amazing!” Especially as the achievements of Graphics eMotion are far from being confidential: a concert of Jennifer Lopez in Dubai, a Google presentation in Vancouver or even the first film immersive 360°, “a revolutionary technology, which is different from Imax, which really puts the viewer in the center of the image”. So far, Julien said that if Montreal is a city where everything is possible, the success does not arrive without effort. “If you want the big cake, it will be necessary to work more than the other to eat it…”

Sound board. “Our team is composed of Italians, French, Swiss, Lebanese, etc., In a city as cosmopolitan as Montreal, it is essential to build a team that is representative of this diversity.”

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“Do not hesitate to test its concept” (Louis Delaoustre and Rodople Barrère, Potloc )

Louis Delaoustre and Rodolophe Barrère

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“After all our studies at HEC Montreal, it was logical to create our box here,” explained Louis and Rodolphe. Their idea is simple: participate in the development of smart cities in allowing residents to support the businesses they want to see at the bottom of the home. To the tradesmen to ensure a first loyal customers and donors to make up valuable data on the request of the district. Potloc (expression of indian origin, meaning “common pot”) was created in late 2013. Since then, the company has already chalked up some nice transactions and a beautiful participation (approximately 1000 votes of residents by project).

The two friends began “with two pieces of string, to test the idea at our cost. We have invested a lot of empty space, and asked people on the street if they would prefer a florist or a coffee shop.” Here, they chorus, we must dare to, simply: “This is North America!” To the extent that many aids exist for young entrepreneurs. “Of course, these scholarships and grants are only available if you can prove that you want to create sustainable value in Quebec, says Louis. Without a permanent resident visa, this will not be easy. The logic of economic immigration is coherent: it does not give a chance to someone passing by.” ·

Their advice. “Do not believe that the fact of being francophone is sufficient to integrate. The cultural divide is huge! If Quebec spoke English and chinese, the newcomers would perform better efforts to provide… Finally, the creation of a business is easy, but it is essential to be accompanied at a minimum by a lawyer and an accountant. Some offer special offers for start-ups.”

“ people étaien t pr forest for my project ” (Céline Bar beautiful, The Home knitted)

Celine Barbeau

“In North America, the people were ready for my project. The knit was already more widespread than in Europe, where my concept would have probably arrived too early.” This is why Céline, knitting teacher, designer and Montreal up for adoption for over eight years, has launched The Home knitted in September 2013 in the heart of Montreal. Concept 3-in-1, both tea room, school of knitting and shop of wool and patterns, The Home knitted offers courses to learn how to create parts of his or her choice: a blanket, a hat, socks or mittens (it’s about 30 dollars for a course of two hours). Accompanied by her colleagues, Celine regularly takes the road to go to the meeting of the craftsmen, but also to represent The Home knitted in the major international fairs such as the Sheep and Wool festival (New York), Needle feast (France) or the Edinburgh Yarn Festival (Scotland).

Of her travels, she not only brings back that quality fibers: wool, dyed by hand, alpaca, merino, cashmere… All made by craftsmen Céline and her team select with the greatest care to offer a variety of products to meet the animals. But the wool is not everything. The style of Celine is a hit. The clients of The Home knitted confirm “The fact that it was French influence, his creations, that’s for sure!” Celine has the attention to detail and likes to sobriety. His creations are made to be worn, not only to be looked at… Of thread and needle, Home knitted has become a true community of creators, a “tribe where my clients are first and foremost friends. Of the people with whom I take a great pleasure to work, every day.” In the shop of a Celine, the young hipsters rub shoulders happily retired. In Quebec, there is a typical expression used to express something that is without fault: “knitted tight.” There is no better way to say…

Sound board. “we need to choose its location in Montreal. Because even though people are very much in love with what you do, they will go at it more closely. It is useless to go away, even with a concept of the thunder!”

“You have to have a triple culture” (Damien Lefebvre, W. illi.am)

Damien Lefebvre

“There is an old world that is going to disappear, and a new way of creating…” A world that Damien Lefebvre is not content to look at. Co-chair of W. illi.am agency, a digital innovation, which remains at the cutting edge of technology in the last twenty years. Its recipe? Generate 30% of its revenues by creating new activities every three years. The agency has developed many communications around objects that are connected by pushing the concept to produce the first materials are connected, such as glass or ceramic. “Have you ever tried to connect your smartphone to the wifi of the hotel just by asking a few seconds against the wall of your room ? Finished the use of passwords and other codes endless!” Montreal is a perfect playground, “a city extremely creative, where are the talents of a new kind”, for the one who likes to introduce himself as “the most Québecois cois French”.

He sums up his job thus: “Let his teams give free rein to their imagination, while providing them with the means of their ambitions.” To succeed in Quebec, “we must forget the stereotypes of the French, he said, and build a double culture as quickly as possible. And even a triple: the English-speaking Canada is to do not forget! Hire English-speaking is indispensable.” Of course, he must have what some call “the niaque” and never be discouraged! For evidence, Damien was initially refused by HEC Montréal in 1995. Before their return a letter to show his / her motivation, and make them change their mind…

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settle in Quebec

quebec universities to meet French students, Welcome to C2 Montréal, the conference of business 2.0 The ambassador of Montreal, will there be the French accent?

Sound board. “Let the talent speak! Hire local and do not be afraid to get out as often as possible of your comfort zone.”