Building an ecosystem that protects its entrepreneurs: Édouard Ferron-Mallett's vision

In the entrepreneurial ecosystem, there is a lot of talk about innovation, financing, and growth. Less attention is paid to the psychological well-being of founders. During our conversation with Édouard Ferron-Mallett, founder of ProAction Entrepreneur, he brings the discussion back to where it belongs: at the heart of how organizations that are building Quebec's economic future operate.

A structural problem: lack of trust

For Édouard, the conclusion is clear. Traditional support programs offer many technical tools, but the human dimension of entrepreneurial work often remains peripheral. Entrepreneurs are reluctant to show vulnerability in front of support organization employees. It is as if admitting any weakness could jeopardize their business prospects. As a result, even when wellness programs exist, participation is low and their impact is limited.

Conversely, when the message comes from credible entrepreneurs—people who have weathered the same storms—people listen immediately. This is what inspired ProAction Entrepreneur: a model by and for entrepreneurs, mobilizing voices such as Dominic Gagnon, Nicolas Duvernois, and Judith Fetzer.

Bill 27: a constraint that opens a door

The introduction of Law 27, which will require companies with 20 or more employees to implement a psychological safety plan by 2025, is a game changer. For Édouard, this is a major step forward.

But he also sees the gap: in his view, small organizations and support agencies are not ready. This legislation therefore provides an opportunity to modernize support for entrepreneurship by finally considering mental health as a strategic variable.

A diagnosis to transform culture, not just to comply

ProAction Entrepreneur's service is not limited to checking the boxes of Law 27.

It starts with a diagnosis: an assessment of psychosocial risks to establish an objective basis. Then a plan: a roadmap to reduce these risks, protect productivity, and strengthen presence at work.

But what really matters, Édouard emphasizes, is cultural change.

The process encourages teams to reflect on their values, practices, and communication methods. ProAction Entrepreneur works on organizational culture in depth.

Changing the trajectory of the ecosystem

The interview ends on a hopeful note. Édouard wants to bring this message directly to the new generation of entrepreneurs, before mental health becomes an emergency.

His message is straightforward:
We collectively have a responsibility to build an ecosystem where entrepreneurs can ask for help without losing face, and where mental health becomes a lever for performance, not a sign of weakness.

It is with this same ambition in mind that MAIN has launched the Parachute initiative.MD and then launched the Parapluie service, and it is why partners such as ProAction Entrepreneur play such an important role at this stage of our ecosystem's transformation.