A unique location. A dynamic group. An accelerator with impact.
Created to expand the venture capital ecosystem, Espace CDPQ has been bringing investors together in a single location since 2016 to stimulate collaboration, the sharing of expertise and access to capital.
A growing community inspired by innovative thinking
2015
The creation of Espace CDPQ was announced, leveraging global best practices to offer a dedicated investment and support hub for entrepreneurs.
Creation of the Espace CDPQ Fund, with a $50 M envelope dedicated to financing innovative Québec companies aiming for global expansion.
2016
Espace CDPQ was created on June 16th 2016 to mark La Caisse’s 50th anniversary, with the aim of providing a space where networks, expertise, and resources are pooled to benefit innovative Québec businesses.
Brightspark Ventures and White Star Capital were among its first partner funds.
2017
The network of resident partner funds expanded (Anges Québec and Inovia Capital) and new collaborators joined (Réseau Capital).
2018-2019
New partner funds joined Espace CDPQ (Amplitude Ventures, Luge Capital and Lumira Capital), as well as its first visiting fund (HarbourVest).
2020-2021
Expansion of the partner network beyond Québec to strengthen Espace CDPQ’s role as a unifying force within the investor and venture capital community.
This approach has attracted several Canadian and international investment firms (Seido Capital).
Espace CDPQ receives the Corporate Champion Award at the Startupfest Gala, recognizing its structuring role.
2022-2023
11 new funds join the community (Accelia Capital, Amplify Capital, BKR Capital, Fonds Ecofuel, Framework Ventures Partners, Sofinnova Investments, i4 Capital, QuantAcet, StandUp Ventures, Two Small Fish Ventures, Vertu Capital).
2024-2025
Regional hubs (Québec City and Sherbrooke) were created to continue supporting the growth of regional startups.
The first two editions of the flagship event: The annual venture capital conference attracts investors from across Canada.
Espace CDPQ inaugurates a new collaborative office located within the Ax.c space in Montréal.
Espace CDPQ in figures
+ 200 co-investments
by the Espace CDPQ’s partner funds since its launch in 2016.
+$24 billion increase
in assets under management of Espace CDPQ partner funds, which grew from $1 billion to nearly $24 billion over a 10-year period.
$2.4 billion in value added to Québec’s GDP
is generated by the venture capital ecosystem supported by La Caisse and Espace CDPQ.
Diverse and inclusive
Espace CDPQ supports funds that promote women’s leadership, Indigenous entrepreneurship, and Black-led businesses.
A tangible impact.
Shared successes.
From pre-seed to exit, Espace CDPQ is there at every stage in the venture capital chain.
Seido Capital
Attracting international capital and expertise to Montréal promotes the diversification of the ecosystem and fosters new collaborations in the life sciences.
« Espace CDPQ has been a real booster for Seido Capital. »
Olivier Belenger
Co-founder and Partner of Seido Capital
Inovia Capital
Inovia Capital is a cornerstone of Québec’s venture capital ecosystem, rooted at the heart of Espace CDPQ and consistently supported by La Caisse as an anchor investor. Inovia contributes to the vitality of the ecosystem through mentorship, co-investments, and the development of the next generation of entrepreneurs.
« We’ve come a long way, but there’s still much to be done, and Espace CDPQ is a strategic place to achieve it. »
Chris Arsenault
Founder and CEO of Inovia Capital