McGill Innovation Collective at C2
As McGill positions itself to become a significant player in Montreal’s innovation ecosystem, presence and immersion at events has been key to connecting with innovators and entrepreneurs. Montreal’s innovation ecosystem is in prime emergence, and hosting sizable events –met with international applause– to showcase local and global talent demonstrates that our vibrant city is big league material. Events such as C2 and Startup Fest draw local and international entrepreneurs and innovators (by the thousands) to Montreal where they exchange ideas, instill creativity, and build meaningful relationships. All the while amazed by our culture and community, along the backdrop of our beautiful city.
On May 25th, Alexander Munro, Nicole Lai, and Eduardo Ganem Cuenca from McGill’s Innovation Collective attended the C2 conference held at the C2 Hangar in Little Burgundy. The venue, veiled with all manner of lighting effects, text-bytes whizzing by on rails of digital screens, artwork, stacked freight containers retrofitted into meeting hotspots, and bustling energy from the crowd, focused on blending commerce and creativity to inspire new ideas and disruptive innovations, while challenging mainstream trends. A variety of masterclasses, labs, moving talks from global brand leaders including Cirque du Soleil and Apple Inc., and experiential workshops were offered to the 6,000+ participants representing over 50 nationalities, and spanning some 20 sectors.
McGill’s participation in C2 flares a clear signal that innovation for global impact is key to its powerful vision of transformation. The timing is impeccable, as Canada moves towards strengthening its most promising innovation clusters and accelerate economic growth, following the address by The Honourable Navdeep Singh Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development on the Innovation Superclusters Initiative. More so, at the C2 press conference, it was announced that McGill is among one of four Quebec universities partnering with the Quartier de l’Innovation to grow Montreal’s innovative potential based on cutting-edge research at top universities.
As McGill steadily demonstrates the power of collaboration, convening impactful players for courageous conversation and getting immersed in influential events such as C2 are flagship aspirations behind the Innovation Collective.
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