District 3 | Montreal Startup Incubator for Bio, Health, Tech & Social

We empower startups in medical devices, digital health, and paramedical solutions. Our support covers every stage—validating ideas, securing resources, developing products, raising funds, expanding internationally, and building strong networks within the global health ecosystem.

Health

We help ambitious technology startup founders to accelerate their path to product-market fit through tailored, one-on-one coaching. Our approach focuses on objectives-driven guidance, skill development in entrepreneurship, strategic advice, ecosystem networking, and support for scaling internationally.

High Tech

We support individuals and startups focused on education, health, the environment, culture, and other social issues committed to making a positive impact on communities and the world. Our social innovation expertise, grounded in ESG principles and proven models, drives every new venture at District 3.

Social Innovation

Transforming Nursing Training with Immersive VR Solutions

success stories

Meet the founders, from local to global, whose projects are creating meaningful change.

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UbiSim

UbiSim's VR platform enhances nursing training, scaling simulations without extra resources and revolutionizing healthcare education.

Pioneering Sustainable Packaging for a Zero-Food Waste Future

Freshr

Freshr Technologies develops compostable packaging that extends seafood shelf life, reducing plastic waste and supporting sustainability.

Enhancing Public Health Through Smart Water Management

CANN Forecast

CANN Forecast empowers municipalities with AI to improve water quality and infrastructure, addressing crises and enhancing public health.

Revolutionizing Cancer Care Efficiency and Patient Experience with AI

Gray Oncology

Gray Oncology optimizes cancer treatment flow, reduces staff workload, and enhances patient experience using AI and operations research.

stages

Your partner through every stage of growth

Whether you are an individual with an idea or a startup transitioning to
becoming a small or medium sized enterprise, we help you move forward with firm steps, to change the world or simply overcome the obstacles along the way of change. Our services are free and open to all. We take no equity and IP remains yours.

Explore Stage

A free 6-week program for aspiring entrepreneurs tackling social and environmental challenges. Learn systems thinking, map your impact, and build sustainable solutions through weekly workshops and mentorship—no equity taken.

Build Stage

A free 12-week intensive for early-stage startups ready to validate their business model and bring innovations to market. Get 1:1 coaching, hands-on workshops, and downtown Montreal coworking space—no equity taken, your IP stays yours.

Grow Stage

Accelerate your startup with expert coaching, funding support, and investor connections. For startups with proven traction, get biweekly 1:1 coaching, tailored workshops, and access to a global network—all free, no equity taken, your IP stays yours.

Scale Stage

Transition from entrepreneur to CEO with MIT-licensed Venture Mentoring. Get monthly sessions with three experienced mentors in a confidential, NDA-bound environment—ongoing support with no end date, completely free.

Trick or treat? At D3, you might find a co-founder at your door, a workshop to sharpen your conversational wizardry, or startups conjuring breakthroughs in foodtech, biotech, AI, and beyond. Whatever you pick, it’s all treats this fall.

innovation gives everyone the superpower to create positive impact.

D3 truly feels like home, a place where we can explore and grow. It helps us navigate the challenges of structuring our governance to ensure our solutions focus on impact, which is essential for our mission.

Jean-Christophe Mortreux

Emission Reduction Now

Founder

District 3 helped us address weaknesses in marketing and financing. Our coach encouraged us to treat these challenges with love, providing valuable insight and support as a helpful mirror in our growth journey.

Catherine Mondor

Medyx

Founder

The support has been invaluable in our transition from startup to growth, facilitating conversations that help us explore both company and personal dynamics, guiding us through changes in roles and responsibilities.

Colin Gallagher

Haply

Co-founder

We are guided by three mentors from MentorConnect. They have supported our evolution and pivots, asking the tough questions that have led us to make better decisions.

Eric Normandeau

RecharjME

Founder

District 3 validated my idea and provided new skills, making me feel like I belong. Their virtual and physical spaces offer mentorship and inspiration from other startups, creating a supportive community focused on social impact.

Anne-Pascale Ménard

Cedulify

Founder

I find that as a solo entrepreneur, the road is really lonely at times. Surrounding yourself and being in spaces with other entrepreneurs, having friends that also have businesses, really, really helps.

Marie-Claire Hamel

Ozex

Founder

I had this idea that we need to raise millions of dollars. My coach was Julie, and she was telling me, be calm, try to build a good business, not just raise money. You want to develop a product that has value for your users.

Behnam Farsi

CanApply

Founder

At District 3, we were challenged constantly. The one-on-one coaching transformed us from two people with a good idea into a business with clear strategy, mission, and vision.

Erika Braithwaite

Precision Analytics

Co-founder

D3 offers incredible support for entrepreneurs. The tailored Launch & Grow program lets us choose relevant workshops, and 1:1 sessions with our dedicated coach ensure we stay focused on our business and keep moving forward.

Catherine Forest-Nault

Life Engine

Co-founder

Success is deeply personal for me. It’s about making a meaningful impact, helping others, and achieving financial stability. Equally important is the personal growth that comes from this journey, shaping who I am.

Bishakh Rout

OcuVista Solutions

Co-founder

District 3 offered valuable mentoring and coaching support, enabling us to exchange ideas. We continue with MentorConnect, where diverse mentors share insights, revealing that many challenges are similar across industries.

Josh Pottel

Molecular Forecaster

Co-founder

As a leader, D3 supports you throughout your journey, encouraging exploration from various angles. Each time you reach a milestone, they motivate you to keep moving forward.

Dilan Jaunky

GC LipidTech

Co-founder

I had been a scientist all my life. Patents and papers have a major impact only when they become a product, therapy or tool. I’ve grown tremendously since, thanks to the right support to guide me along my entrepreneurial journey.

Margaret Magdesian, Ph.D.

Ananda Devices

Co-Founder

testimonials

Don’t just take our word for it—let the
founders do the talking.

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cofounder name

role, startup name

news

News from District 3's ecosystem

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January 1, 1970

The Hub: D3's Newsletter - October 2025

Food waste is a global crisis. It costs $2.6 trillion every year and produces 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In Japan alone, 4.64 million tons of food loss are generated annually. That’s why we’re so excited to celebrate Freshr Technologies, a MentorConnect alumni startup, as they announce a Joint Development Agreement with Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) to scale FreshrPack™ globally.

Freshr Sustainable Technologies Inc. and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Announce Joint Development Agreement to Combat Global Food Waste

At D3, we know every founder hits roadblocks, and that’s where the real building begins. This fall, our programs help you validate ideas, sharpen your model, and turn detours into momentum. Application deadlines are approaching, our startups are making headlines, and our annual report highlights a community tackling big challenges with bold solutions.

The Hub: D3's Newsletter - September 2025

We’re proud to celebrate Aifred Health, a D3 startup and MentorConnect alum, on the publication of their North American clinical trial results in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. The team’s AI-driven platform has shown powerful results in improving remission rates and accelerating recovery for patients with major depression.

Aifred Health clinical trial results published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry show AI can improve recovery rates for patients with depression.

Foodtech Frontier 25: Québec

Partners

Your ecosystem of support

It takes a village to raise a child, and an ecosystem to turn an idea into lasting impact. You're in good company.

Funding Partners

Partner Network

events

Join us to be part of the journey

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October 14, 2025

Join us in Montréal as we celebrate the Québec winners of the inaugural Foodtech Frontier 25 – Canada’s most promising foodtech companies of 2025.

October 22, 2025

Lab2Market Summit 2025

Fuckup Nights October 2025 | Life Sciences & Health Technology

October 22, 2025

Intentional Networking: Growing a Supportive Community

October 28, 2025

Mastering the Art of Conversation

November 11, 2025