PRIDE OF GALA IDEE 2024

Montreal, Quebec — The prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Montreal hosted the 3rd edition of the Gala IDE (Inclusion, Diversity, Excellence), a flagship event organized by Groupe 3737. Bringing together more than 300 guests, this evening was an opportunity to celebrate and spotlight entrepreneurs from Canada’s ethnocultural diversity.

The objective of the Gala IDE is clear: to highlight entrepreneurial talent that remains too often unrecognized, as one of the organizers emphasized at the event’s opening. “This gala aims to show that cultural diversity is full of powerful talents, making a real impact on our economy,” he stated. The event also serves as a strategic platform, showcasing these talents to influential players in the business world, sometimes referred to as "Quebec Inc."

Among the speakers, Kadiatou Sow, partner in business law at Fasken, underlined the importance of recognizing the entrepreneurial drive of these communities: “I’m very proud to represent Fasken tonight in celebrating the impact of entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. Groupe 3737 is doing exceptional work in building a more inclusive ecosystem for future generations.”

Éric Ilzon, Director of Community Relations at Air Canada, expressed the company’s pride in supporting the event:

 “Groupe 3737 is doing remarkable work. At Air Canada, we love to give wings to entrepreneurs, especially in alignment with the values of inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.”

From the banking sector, support was both strong and consistent. 

Christian Basson, Regional Director at TD Bank, pointed out: “The Gala IDE is crucial for showcasing the successes of entrepreneurs from the Black community.”

Nadine El Sadi, Regional Director at BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada), highlighted tangible financial efforts underway: “We’ve just launched a $250 million fund, of which $50 million is dedicated to inclusion, to help diverse businesses overcome barriers to accessing capital.”

Christian Dianabo, Regional Director at RBC for Eastern Canada, emphasized the alignment between RBC’s mission and that of Groupe 3737: “We firmly believe that a diverse economy is a strong economy. We are proud to support entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.”

Hosna Kadari, National Lead of the “Business Without Barriers” program at the Bank of Montreal (BMO), also reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship:

 “Success cannot happen without strong partners like Groupe 3737. Together, we’ll go far.”

Lastly, Darson Charles, Vice President of Commercial Services at RBC, concluded with optimism: “Montreal is full of talent from our communities. Our role is to elevate them and build collective wealth.”

The evening closed with remarks from Modeline Mirtil, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at Groupe 3737: “This 3rd edition of the Gala IDE has allowed us to recognize entrepreneurs with strong economic and social impact. We are extremely proud of how far we’ve come, and we look forward to seeing you next year for the 4th edition.”

Groupe 3737 is a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs from ethnocultural communities in the development and growth of their projects. Through its cohorts, support programs, and partner network, the group plays a key role in the Canadian entrepreneurial ecosystem.