Success for Le Grand Saut: around 100 people gathered to break the taboo surrounding mental health among entrepreneurs.

QUEBEC CITY, November 21, 2024 — Le Grand Saut brought together more than 100 entrepreneurs, mentors, experts, and decision-makers on November 21 for a major event aimed at breaking the taboo surrounding mental health in the world of innovative entrepreneurship. 

This major event took place in a spirit of support, collaboration, and awareness, offering participants a special space to discuss the psychological and emotional challenges that are often ignored or minimized in their daily lives.

The goal of Le Grand Saut was to enable entrepreneurs, often perceived as unshakeable "superheroes," to share their personal experiences and challenges in terms of mental health without fear of judgment. Faced with a demanding professional reality, the event is therefore an essential step toward creating a space for entrepreneurs to speak and be heard.

In addition to conferences, panels, and workshops, the event also served as a forum for discussion to chart a course toward a future where the overall health of entrepreneurs would be placed at the heart of Quebec's economic priorities. Those in attendance contributed to the discussion aimed at avoiding duplication of efforts and siloed work.

Le Grand Saut was made possible thanks to the entrepreneurial vision of Québec 2026, powered by the Fonds de la région de la Capitale-Nationale, and the financial contribution of the Québec Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE).

This event marks an important milestone for Le Parachute, an initiative that aims to raise awareness among innovative entrepreneurs about the key role that good mental health plays in achieving their business goals and recognizing mental health issues in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Created in 2020 in the provincial capital, Le Parachute is now run by the Mouvement des accélérateurs d’innovation du Québec, which has expanded this initiative to 13 regions of Quebec thanks to the involvement of 48 organizations that offer psychological support to the companies they assist. Since last May, Le Parachute has enabled more than 70 innovative entrepreneurs to receive 275 hours of free psychological support. 

In addition, Le Parachute takes concrete action throughout the year to equip and support entrepreneurs in the demanding realities of their profession. Through online resources, workshops, conferences, and peer support groups, Le Parachute pursues its mission to break the isolation of entrepreneurs, offer them opportunities for exchange, and raise awareness of these crucial issues throughout the ecosystem.

Beyond providing direct support to entrepreneurs, Le Parachute also aims to train and equip support providers so that they can identify signs of distress in the entrepreneurs they mentor and provide appropriate assistance before a crisis occurs. 

For more information, visit parachute.ca 

"Mental health is everyone's business. Thanks to Parachute and events like Le Grand Saut, we are taking concrete action to support a stronger and more resilient entrepreneurial community. Because a healthy mind is an essential pillar of our businesses' success."

• Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy, Minister Responsible for the Fight Against Racism, and Minister Responsible for the Laval Region

“Quebec City is proud to host events such as Le Grand Saut, which redefine the contours of entrepreneurial success. With entrepreneurship being one of our economic priorities, it is important to make the mental health of our entrepreneurs a key issue in supporting the vitality and prosperity of our city.”

• Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Quebec City

"An entrepreneur's most valuable asset is their mind. Without good mental health, even the best innovation to solve our society's biggest problems will be impossible to achieve. By joining forces and pooling our resources, we can create stronger, more resilient entrepreneurial communities and a richer, more competitive ecosystem on the global stage."

• Louis-Félix Binette, Executive Director, Quebec Innovation Accelerator Movement