“Innovation A-T” Day showcases Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s competitive edge and women-led businesses

“Innovation A-T” Day, held on September 19, 2023 in Rouyn-Noranda

The exercise revealed that companies in Abitibi-Témiscamingue remain very competitive in terms of innovation in their sectors of interest, thus surpassing companies in similar regions in Ontario and elsewhere in Quebec.

“We realize, with the portrait, that the region’s businesses are innovative,” confirmed the project manager and innovation advisor at the Abitibi-Témiscamingue Acceleration and Growth Space (EACAT), Raphaël Piché.

“We are talking about innovation in the areas of product development, the development of new services, the improvement of production processes and the integration of technology. We also have innovation in the social and environmental sectors. It’s a broad concept, but, in general, businesses in the region are doing very well in several sectors,” added the project manager.

Note that companies in the region also stand out for the number of women who are at the head of the most innovative companies in their respective sectors.

“It’s a fact now. Businesses run by women are those with a high rate of innovation. This is one of the surprising findings, to say the least, that emerged from the portrait presented on September 19,” declared Raphaël Piché.

Innovation at the heart of daily development

During a presentation held last spring by Quebec’s chief innovator Luc Sirois to members of the Rouyn-Noranda Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the latter spoke of the importance of integrating innovation into heart of the daily practices of any company.

“It’s coming out a lot now. Business innovation is made as important as human resources management and accounting. It is important for managers to integrate innovation as an absolute value and an objective to achieve in order to ensure the sustainability of their company, regardless of the field in which it operates,” concludes Raphaël Piché.