Exploring Innovation in Montréal: The Final Stop of connectUS 2026

As our journey through Canada comes to a close, we have saved one of the most vibrant technology and culture hubs for last: Montréal. Known for its unique blend of European flair and North American innovation, the city provided the perfect backdrop for our final project days.

Here’s a look back at our highlights in the city!

Concordia University: Rethinking Cities Through Education, Sustainability, and Inclusion

Beyond Montréal’s dynamic urban landscape, Concordia University offered our delegation valuable insights into how academic institutions engage with today’s key social and urban challenges.

From the outset, it became clear that Concordia not only focuses on innovation, but also critically reflects on its past. A central theme was the ongoing effort to come to terms with its historical relationship with Indigenous communities, a process understood as continuous rather than complete.

During our visit, the importance of sustainable urban development, particularly the expansion of public transport in growing cities like Montréal was highlighted. At the same time, discussions emphasised another pressing issue: affordability. Montréal is becoming increasingly expensive, raising questions about accessibility and who can participate in urban life.

What stood out most was how these aspects are interconnected. Sustainability, mobility, and social inclusion cannot be addressed in isolation.

Ultimately, our visit showed that universities like Concordia play an important role not only in education, but in shaping how we understand and respond to the challenges of modern cities.

We would like to thank Dr. Craig Townsend and Dr. Jochen Jaeger for their valuable time and insights.

Navigating Global Markets: Insights from the Swiss Business Hub Canada

Beyond Montréal’s economic landscape, the Swiss Business Hub Canada offered our delegation a closer look at how international business expansion is strategically supported, and where critical reflection is equally necessary.

Located at the Consulate General of Switzerland, the Hub plays a key role in helping Swiss companies enter the Canadian market. At the same time, it often serves as a stepping stone for expansion into the United States, positioning Canada as an intermediate space between Switzerland and one of the world’s most competitive markets.

Its work is mainly structured around two core areas: export promotion and investment attraction. On the one hand, Swiss companies are supported in exporting their products and services abroad. On the other hand, the Hub works to attract foreign investment into Switzerland. With around 20 hubs worldwide, this global network reflects Switzerland’s strong focus on international economic connectivity.

However, what stood out was the importance of taking a critical perspective on these processes. Entering new markets is not only about opportunities, but also about understanding local conditions, economic dependencies, and long-term impacts. The positioning between Switzerland, Canada, and the United States raises important questions about strategy, competition, and sustainability in global business expansion.

Ultimately, the Swiss Business Hub illustrates that internationalisation is not a linear process, but one that requires careful navigation, strategic thinking, and the ability to critically assess both opportunities and risks.

We would like to thank Steffen Erik Milner for the opportunity to visit the Swiss Business Hub Canada.

Deep Dive into Engineering Excellence: Visiting ABB

Our third stop led us to ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation. We were warmly welcomed and given a comprehensive introduction to the company’s innovative portfolio, ranging from robotics to sustainable energy solutions.

However, the highlight was undoubtedly the office tour and exclusive insight into their production facilities. Seeing the precision and scale of ABB's operations was truly eye-opening. It gave our delegation a first-hand insight into how cutting-edge technology is manufactured right here in Montréal to solve global challenges.

We would like to express our gratitude to Emma Osmancevic and Benjamin Lebrun for giving us the opportunity to gain a better understanding of ABB and its work.

Shaping the Future of Mobility: Movmi Workshop

We had the pleasure of attending an inspiring workshop led by movmi, an award-winning agency and global leader in shared mobility. Movmi is dedicated to co-creating innovative transportation solutions, ranging from carsharing and micromobility to microtransit, with the clear goal of reducing dependency on private car ownership.

A huge thank you to Venkatesh Gopal, CEO of movmi, for organizing this "Shared Mobility Pathways" masterclass and hosting our delegation. The session provided us with a high-level deep dive into the Montreal mobility ecosystem.

We gained invaluable insights from expert speakers:

• Charles de la Chevrotière from the Agence de Mobilité Durable presented the vision behind mobility hubs and modular design, sharing key learnings from their recent launches.

• Daniel Romm, PhD Candidate at McGill University, shared his research on "The Street and Mobility," focusing on measurement and movement.

The presentations sparked intense discussions about how cities can become more liveable and efficient through smart, shared transport concepts, a topic that is highly relevant to our Swiss perspective. It was a perfect example of how global innovation provides practical solutions for local challenges.

Career Insights and Corporate Culture: A Visit at KPMG

To conclude our series of professional visits, we had the opportunity to visit our gold partner KPMG. Instead of a traditional presentation, we were invited to take part in an engaging panel discussion that brought together perspectives from different departments.

This format created a particularly open and authentic atmosphere. Our delegation had the chance to ask a wide range of questions, leading to insightful conversations about differences between the Canadian and Swiss financial sectors, corporate culture, and potential career paths within a “Big Four” firm.

What stood out most was the openness and honesty of the panellists, who shared not only their professional experiences but also personal reflections on their career journeys. This made the exchange especially valuable and gave us meaningful insights for our own professional futures.

A special thank you to Frédérique Lecoq, Cristine Ruscio, and team for their time, transparency, and willingness to engage in such an enriching discussion.

Conclusion

Montréal has been a whirlwind of inspiration. From the industrial halls of ABB to the strategic boardrooms of KPMG, we have gained a profound understanding of the Canadian business landscape.

As we pack our bags to head back to Switzerland, we carry with us not just souvenirs, but a wealth of knowledge, new friendships, and the "connectUS" spirit.

Thank you, Montréal, for being the perfect grand finale!

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