The Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) today officially inaugurated its brand new Pavillon de l’Entrepreneuriat et de l’innovation [Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pavilion], the university’s first major campus building in ten years.

Located across the street from the J.-A-DeSève pavilion, which already houses School of Management (ESG UQAM) activities, this new space is dedicated entirely to fostering the next generation of French-speaking entrepreneurs. Located at 1250 rue Sanguinet, in the heart of the Quartier Latin, this bright, modern facility is part of a broader urban revitalization effort to strengthen the vitality of downtown Montreal.

“This exceptional pavilion embodies a clear vision: to promote learning while contributing to the revival of the Quartier Latin, where UQAM has been anchored for more than 55 years. Dedicated to graduate professional programs in management, this inspiring facility will play a vital role in the economic development of Montreal and Quebec while preparing a new generation of French-speaking entrepreneurs. Personally, this represents the realization of a dream. I witnessed the very beginnings of the project when I was Dean of the School of Management," said Stéphane Pallage, Rector of UQAM.

“This new pavilion will enable UQAM to pursue its mission in the heart of Montreal, while offering a stimulating, modern environment to future cohorts of students. I applaud the work of all who contributed to the realization of this major project. By investing in the training of our future entrepreneurs, we will ensure a more innovative and prosperous Quebec,” added Martine Biron, Minister of Higher Education.

An Innovation Hub, Open to the World

Since opening its doors in June 2025, the pavilion hosts UQAM's graduate management programs, including the MBA, the Master's in Project Management (MPM) and the Master's in Applied Finance (MFA). It also houses the ESG UQAM Entrepreneurship Centre, ESG+, offering continuing education activities as well as study and research support services for the School's undergraduate and graduate students.

The pavilion is open seven days a week, with spaces reserved for MBA students on weekends. This unique facility is becoming an incubator for new ideas, where startups take shape, research teams thrive, and student teams prepare for the Commerce Games.

“This pavilion answers both the current and future needs of our student community. With its eco-responsible, human-centred and technology-rich spaces, it inspires entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration. These cutting-edge spaces will help spark new ideas to tackle the challenges of our time. With more than 120,000 graduates and partnerships in a dozen countries, ESG UQAM continues to shine internationally and to prepare the leaders of tomorrow,” said Komlan Sedzro, Dean of ESG UQAM.

Heritage Serving the Future

Designated a heritage building of architectural value by the City of Montreal, the pavilion incorporates restored elements of the former Alexandra School, built in 1910, into a light-bathed contemporary structure. At its core is a large, bright atrium, surrounded by the walls of the former schoolyard and illuminated by a skylight spanning all five floors.

Programmed and managed by the UQAM Planning and Real Estate Projects Department, the pavilion was designed by Consortium NFOE/EVOQ (architecture), in collaboration with AtkinsRéalis (mechanical-electrical), CIMA+ (structural-civil), and Bouthillette Parizeau Inc. (commissioning), in accordance with sustainable development standards. It offers a congenial, environmentally responsible environment conducive to both formal and informal exchanges. Students can carry out their research work in state-of-the-art laboratories with interactive screens and Quebec-made modular furniture. A panoramic terrace on the fourth floor offers sweeping views of downtown.

Art Dialoging with Architecture

Prominently displayed on the new pavilion's facade is a vibrantly coloured satin-aluminum sculpture, L’eurêka des singuliers, by Mathieu Lévesque, an UQAM’s graduate in visual and media arts. Selected under the Policy for the Integration of Arts into the Architecture and Environment of Government and Public Buildings and Sites, this bold work celebrates the spark of inspiration when research meets creativity. “I am paying tribute to the freedom, boldness, and daring that animates the UQAM community and the Quartier Latin. With its broken lines and metallic reflections, L’eurêka des singuliers evokes the multiplicity of ideas, the diversity of voices, and the constant movement that characterize university life,” explains the artist.

Alumni Voices: A Community for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Finding a Good Mix
“My entrepreneurship arose from instinct and the desire to build something vital and unifying. I did my MBA at UQAM 25 years later, which gave me the tools and helped me put words to my daily practice, broadening my strategic vision. A pavilion focused on entrepreneurship will serve as a valuable base camp for recharging. We can't accomplish great things on our own; our encounters inspire significant shifts. I believe this space will foster creativity, action and bridges to the real world. UQAM is innovating once again. It's no wonder it turns out such impassioned graduates."

Pascal Lefebvre, MBA, 2023, Multicolore 

Designing the Future
“At UQAM, we discovered diverse perspectives, inspirational models, and a critical assessment of established models. The new pavilion should present many facets of entrepreneurship. Because being in business is not just about profit. Entrepreneurship can be social, environmental, circular, and innovative. It can reinvent systems by centering projects around sustainable relationships, by caring for people and our environment in the furtherance of a more humane society.”

Anne-Marie Laflamme, BA Fashion Management and Design (Fashion Design and Styling), 2008, and Catherine Métivier, BA Fashion Management and Design (Fashion Design and Styling), 2017, atelier b

Doing Useful Work
“Our training at UQAM led us towards social economy, conducting business differently. In Quebec, we are lucky to have a strong ecosystem of support for entrepreneurship. The challenge is that we don't know how to navigate it. A gateway like the Pavillon de l’Entrepreneuriat et de l’innovation that can direct us to the appropriate resources will save us a lot of time. And networking combats isolation. We hope that this place will foster social innovation, one of UQAM's recognized strengths."

Laurent Levesque, Short graduate program in Economic and Urban Development Management, 2015 B. Sc. Urban Planning, 2013, and Gabriel Fournier-Filion, BAA, 2016, UTILE

Serving Excellence
“My training at UQAM boosted my confidence and showed me that entrepreneurship was also for people like me. I see the new pavilion as a gathering place where we can pursue our passions and imagine big possibilities. Entrepreneurs are often alone, so it is essential to exchange ideas with others. I hope this will help democratize entrepreneurship and make it accessible to all. I appreciate UQAM for opening doors to new possibilities.”

Melanie Blanchette, Certificate in General Accounting, 2011, Certificate in Human Resources Management, 2009, Bouillon Bilk et Cie

Developing know-how
“My studies at UQAM gave me the foundation I needed to enter the business world with my distillery. Producing spirits demands creativity, rigour, patience, and a lot of research and development that eventually has to pay off. At UQAM, I learned to shape and realize my passion. The Pavillon de l’Entrepreneuriat et de l’innovation will be an ideal place to test ideas and meet other creators. I see it as an ecosystem for nurturing original, sustainable projects.”

Francis Bluteau, BAA, 2016, BluePearl Distillerie 

Creating Positive Outcomes
“My training at UQAM encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and transform my ideas into a concrete reality. Access to resources, competitions, and mentoring enabled me to structure my kinesiology business project and develop it with confidence. The new pavilion will provide the space to learn, innovate, and get involved in a natural way. I believe that it will bring entrepreneurs together, spark new synergies, and generate opportunities. I even hope to be able to give back to the community by mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.”

Catherine Lavigne-Pelletier, MBA, 2016 M. Sc. Kinanthropology, 2013 B. Sc. Physical Activity Intervention (Kinesiology), 2010, NeuroMotrix 

Awakening Boundless Creativity
“My UQAM bachelor's degree, accumulated through certificates, particularly the one in operations management, sensitized me to entrepreneurship. I learned about global business management and continuous improvement, valuable skills for structuring my own project. I would have liked to have benefited from the Pavillon de l’Entrepreneuriat et de l’innovation during my studies. I’m sure it would have provided opportunities for developing different ideas. It will be a unique place for finding support, exchanging ideas with impassioned peers, and inspirational networking.”

Kader D'Almeida BAA, 2024, Sympa Wave

Innovation for Human Connection
“UQAM taught me the independence and conviction I needed to become an entrepreneur. There is so much to reinvent, from supply chains to market positioning. The solutions lie in our collective intelligence. The Pavillon de l’Entrepreneuriat et de l’innovation will be a space to create a community that shares ideas on innovation. I would like to see it as a laboratory where entrepreneurship serves the planet with a sustainable vision, a place that will bring us together, rethinking our approach to doing."

Melissa Mongiat, BA Graphic Design, 2002, Daily tous les jours

Developing Human Intelligence
“At UQAM, I discovered the concept of 'enlightened rebels', and it inspired me to become an entrepreneur. Starting a business takes courage and a touch of naivety. Entrepreneurship can be lonely, and I believe a pavilion dedicated to it will create an extremely useful network, a place where people can share experiences, find support and advice, vent, and weigh pros and cons. With its rebellious spirit, UQAM turns out excellent entrepreneurs.

Guillaume Petitclerc, BA Communication (Public Relations), 2005, Moov AI

Pooling Ideas
“A course on ecology, economics, and the environment —part of my UQAM’s bachelor in biology —sparked my interest in management, which proved useful in founding Communauto. I have always recommended UQAM for the flexibility of its programs and openness to new ideas. There's a known shortage of young entrepreneurs in Quebec, and the Pavillon de l’Entrepreneuriat et de l’innovation will maximize the chances of success by offering tools and support to people who want enter the field.