Mitacs and Numana partner to advance innovation, strengthening Canada’s ecosystem

Québec, QC – Mitacs, a national innovation connector that supports business-academic research collaboration, and Numana, a not-for-profit organization that acts as a technology macro-accelerator for emerging technologies and business models, have announced a new Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on strategic initiatives.

Both supported by the Government of Quebec’s Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE), Mitacs and Numana will explore joint projects, pilot programs, and knowledge-sharing activities designed to advance innovation and strengthen Canadian ecosystems.

Numana has hosted two Mitacs interns to date, and through this agreement, both organizations will establish a framework for collaboration allowing both organizations to focus on shared priorities. This partnership will support the exploration of new opportunities, promote knowledge-sharing, and leverage network to strengthen innovation ecosystems.

Key areas of collaboration include:

• Strategic cooperation: Impactful collaborations such as pilot projects to test new approaches to innovation and identify scalable opportunities, particularly in the fields of quantum communications, smart connectivity, and technological platform sovereignty.
• Thought leadership: Both organizations will jointly engage in discussions, events, and activities that foster innovation, strengthen ecosystems, and promote shared priorities. They will also co-host roundtables and dialogues to bring together key stakeholders and thought leaders.
• Communication and knowledge sharing: The collaboration will emphasize joint communications, shared insights, and co-branded events that highlight the work and impact of both organizations.
• Referral pathways: Opportunities to align their networks and programs, enhancing pathways for collaboration and leveraging complementary resources. This includes the discretionary promotion of Mitacs programs, as outlined on www.mitacs.ca, depending on available resources.

Mitacs has long recognized the pivotal role of science, technology and innovation in fostering economic growth and resilience. This collaboration builds on a series of Mitacs partnerships that are advancing and modernizing the highly skilled workforce, notably in Quebec. This includes intern support for SBQuantum, a startup focused on developing innovative solutions in quantum magnetometry, and a Mitacs Accelerate Umbrella agreement with DistriQ Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke. Mitacs also recently signed a Letter of Intent with Korea’s QCenter that advances quantum technologies and innovation, and collaborated on a workshop series with Qubo Consulting that expands access to workforce training in quantum computing.

Quotes

“Mitacs and Numana are committed to advancing innovation and strengthening ecosystems. This collaboration will work to advance and modernize today’s workforce, equipping a talent pipeline with the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapidly evolving world of quantum technologies. By connecting talent, industry, and research through targeted pilots and joint initiatives, we can accelerate the adoption of new technologies and strengthen innovation capacity, in Québec, and on a global scale.”

Dr. Stephen Lucas, CEO, Mitacs

“Quebec and Canada are at a pivotal moment in consolidating their leadership in quantum technologies. Developing a highly skilled workforce is essential to supporting the growth of a strong and sustainable quantum economy. Mitacs and Numana are already actively involved in developing technological talent, both in Quebec and across Canada. This agreement will help amplify this impact, particularly in the fields of quantum communications and technological sovereignty, by strengthening collaborations and accelerating innovation.”

Bernard Duval, CEO, Numana

About Mitacs

For over 25 years, Mitacs has helped grow the economy and develop the workforce of tomorrow, connecting industry with academia and global partners to solve real-world challenges. We support business-academic research collaboration through internships, co-funded with businesses, for undergraduate to graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

As a national innovation connector, Mitacs takes a talent-first approach to strengthen innovation capacity and drive global competitiveness. We serve as an essential research-commercialization bridge, accelerating market entry and growth for new products and services.

This is a critical time for Canada to think big and take bold action. Mitacs is ready to help build a strong and resilient Canadian economy, powered by ideas, talent and innovation.

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.

For further information, please contact:

Caroline Dobuzinskis
Manager, Communications & Public Affairs
Mitacs
[email protected] | 236-334-3863

Ziona Eyob
Senior Communications & Public Affairs Specialist
Mitacs
[email protected]

About Numana

Founded in 2007, Numana is a not-for-profit organization acting as a macro-accelerator and think tank focused on digital technology. The organization brings together stakeholders from the private, institutional, and public sectors to foster the emergence of structuring projects, test disruptive technologies and accelerate their adoption.

Numana also leads Kirq, its flagship quantum communications initiative. This open, scalable, and collaborative testbed, deployed through interconnected nodes in Sherbrooke, Québec and Montréal, is accessible to companies, universities, and research centres in Canada and internationally. It enables the integration and testing of emerging quantum technologies in key sectors such as telecommunications, finance, health, critical infrastructure, as well as defence and national security, with the next phase focused on developing a satellite connection.

Through Kirq, Numana helps accelerate the development of the quantum sector and positions Québec and Canada as leaders in quantum communications. To learn more: https://numana.tech/

To schedule an interview with a member of the Numana team or for further information about Numana: Simon Falardeau, mobile: 514 755-5831, [email protected]