Montreal: Social Economy and Diversified Entrepreneurship – IMPORTANCE

Montreal – On the occasion of an event organized by Mariam Coulibaly, co-founder and director of the Start-Up incubator, several voices of women’s entrepreneurship and diversity came together around a central theme: the impact of the social economy on businesses and communities. The gathering, held in an atmosphere of inspiring exchanges, highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly those from cultural and diverse communities in Montreal.

For Aimée Une Essence, entrepreneur in design and sewing, the social economy represents a unique chance to open new horizons:

“If we have access to financing as entrepreneurs, we will be able to create more jobs and help others become financially free and independent,” she stated.

The same view was shared by Sarah Gonzalez, founder of Onico Strategic Marketing, which supports SMEs in their digital growth:

“I discovered that there were many more government support programs than I thought. This approach provides an innovative alternative to traditional capitalism and can transform the way we do business.”

Meanwhile, Marie Gabriel Lavoie, representative of the Social Economy Hub of the Haut Saint-Laurent Valley, emphasized the community vocation of this economic model:

“The social economy is a model for the future. It allows us to reflect together on innovative solutions to meet community needs while generating real economic impact.”

A view echoed by Sophie, coordinator of the Datapreneur program at the University of Montreal:

“The social economy is not only complementary, it is essential. It gives back to the community, supports ecological transition, and represents a sustainable alternative to models solely focused on profit.”

The issue of financial accessibility remains a major challenge. Sylvie Gassana, regional director of Evol Montreal, stressed:

“We provide financing to entrepreneurs, especially those from diverse backgrounds, to support their growth or start-up projects. The social economy model deserves to be better known, as its societal and environmental impact is immense.”

A role also taken on by Blandine Aliaga, from the organization Entreprendre Ici, created in 2018 to support entrepreneurs from cultural diversity:

“It is crucial that these entrepreneurs know they are not alone. Resources exist to guide them and enable them to achieve success in Quebec.”

The initiator of the event, Mariam Coulibaly, has been advocating for several years for greater integration of the social economy into women’s and diversity-based business projects.

“There is still far too little diversity in the social economy. We want to raise awareness among women about this model, accompany them in drafting business plans, and guide them toward financing.”

She added:

“If I had adopted this model from the beginning in 2011, I would have advanced much more quickly. Today, I can affirm that it is an excellent business model – provided one is properly supported.”

Beyond the exchanges, the message was clear: the social economy is not just an alternative model, it is a sustainable response to current economic, social, and environmental challenges. By placing collective values at the center, it contributes not only to the inclusion of women and diverse communities but also to the creation of a more equitable and resilient society.

“The social economy is the model of the future.” – such was the unanimous echo of this inspiring evening.