Open House Montréal Energizes Local Startup Scene with 6,000 Attendees

Open House Montréal successfully revitalized the city’s startup ecosystem, attracting over 6,000 attendees across 100 events dedicated to exploring technology’s social impact and the unique challenges of launching startups in Québec. The event, which ran from October 14 to 20, 2024, featured insights from prominent figures such as AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio and culminated in a builders’ day at the Shopify offices.

Organized by the non-profit ElanTech, Open House Montréal marked a significant expansion from its predecessor, Startup Open House, which began in 2013 to foster community engagement within the tech sector. The decentralized format was inspired by similar events in New York City and Toronto, where flagship events are complemented by community-hosted gatherings. ElanTech, which acquired local rights after the event’s hiatus during the pandemic, aimed to bring together a diverse range of participants.

Grassroots Focus and Community Engagement

The weeklong event featured a variety of activities, including a builders’ hackathon and a social impact breakfast at the historic Notman House. Presentations also covered niche markets such as gaming technology and travel, underscoring the event’s commitment to inclusivity. In an interview with BetaKit, ElanTech’s executive director Ilias Benjelloun and general manager Simran Kanda emphasized their goal of re-energizing Montréal’s startup community and attracting individuals outside the typical founder profile. “This wasn’t just the same people,” Kanda noted, highlighting connections made with parents and artists eager to understand the evolving tech landscape.

During his keynote address on October 18, Bengio expressed concern over the disconnect between technologists and society, particularly regarding the implications of artificial intelligence. He remarked, “When I did my computer science degree, I got essentially zero courses on how society works, how politics work, how scientific advances can be both positive and negative.” For Benjelloun, bridging this gap is essential for enhancing Canada’s economic productivity. “We need a sense of urgency,” he stated, advocating for Canadian values of inclusion and social impact to remain at the forefront of technological advancement.

Addressing Funding Challenges

Throughout the week, discussions on funding challenges faced by Québec’s tech ecosystem resonated strongly. The region has seen a decline in early-stage fundraising due to a challenging exit market and reduced liquidity. An event hosted by TechTO and Boast explored effective fundraising strategies, emphasizing the importance of bootstrapping as a sustainable approach. “Bootstrapping keeps you in check in a way raising funds doesn’t,” stated Émile Chouha, founder of the startup Helium Deploy.

Some participants shared their experiences with securing funding in Québec, noting the prevalence of advice on building businesses but highlighting the difficulty of obtaining financial backing. Timothé Bouillet, COO of Kalk, pointed out, “The hardest part is securing the funding.” Open House Montréal itself operated without government funding, as Kanda mentioned that the organization did not receive any city grants. The operational costs for the event were approximately $18,000, and local restaurants generously provided food and coffee to support the initiative.

Despite the challenges in funding, the event showcased a vibrant startup scene, with many companies opening their doors for attendees. Among them, Maria Julia Guimaraes, CEO of inclusive wearable tech startup Totum Tech, welcomed visitors at her innovation hub with Brazilian desserts, expressing her excitement about the local tech community. “There’s a vibrant ecosystem, but we don’t see these people all the time,” Guimaraes remarked, reflecting on her eagerness to participate in past editions.

To conclude the week, startups gathered at Shopify’s Montréal offices for an AI Build Day, collaborating on AI-driven products. Behdad Karimi Dermeni, CEO of the AI accounting platform ReinvestWealth, described the experience as “inspiring,” noting the unique energy of working alongside fellow founders in a bustling environment.

Open House Montréal demonstrated the potential for grassroots initiatives to invigorate the local tech scene, even as challenges persist. As ElanTech looks ahead, Kanda acknowledged the need for additional funding to sustain future events, expressing hope that the momentum generated during this week will lead to more robust connections within the community.