Luqia accelerates its development with a $141-million investment from the Government of Québec
Luqia, an industrial innovation laboratory formed from the merger of the l’Institut national d’optique (INO) and the Centre de recherche informatique de Montréal (CRIM), marks a new stage of its development thanks to an investment of more than $141 million from the Government of Québec.
This announcement follows the recent contribution of federal support and confirms the strategic alignment of the two governments in turning Luqia into a pillar of industrial innovation and technological sovereignty in Québec and in Canada.
Investments to Build Capacity for Tomorrow
This major support from the Government of Québec will enable Luqia to help more companies transform promising inventions into concrete, reliable and marketable solutions in strategic sectors such as the manufacturing industry, health, aerospace and defence.
In practical terms, the funding will help roll out leading-edge infrastructure, particularly in advanced microfabrication, including specialized facilities such as cleanrooms, to meet technological needs over the coming decades.
The funding will also support implementation of transformative technology programs in key areas such as artificial intelligence, integrated photonics, quantum technologies and advanced optical fibres, in addition to strengthening innovation in critical industrial sectors, notably through the Confiance IA consortium.
In total, these government investments amount to more than $193 million, which includes a $52-million contribution from the Government of Canada. The investments demonstrate the coordinated drive of the two levels of government to make Luqia a key player in industrial innovation in Québec. Roll-out of these infrastructures is expected by 2030 and aims to equip Québec with practical tools to maintain its technological leadership over coming decades.
A Strategic Hub to Accelerate Industrial Innovation
Luqia was formed from the merger of INO and CRIM, both of which have more than 40 years of experience. Luqia brings together more than 250 multidisciplinary experts and draws on leading-edge infrastructures in Québec, Montréal and Hamilton. At the intersection of research and industry, this industrial innovation laboratory’s mission is to speed up the process of turning ideas into industrial products, by supporting companies in the design, development and marketing of critical technologies.
By bringing together the strengths of artificial intelligence, advanced photonics and quantic technologies, Luqia transforms scientific discoveries into practical, deployable solutions. Its activities span several strategic sectors, notably health, aerospace, energy and the environment, the manufacturing industry and defence and security.
By helping speed up the commercialization of high-impact technologies, Luqia is playing a direct role in enhancing the competitiveness of companies in Québec and Canada, the creation of highly skilled jobs and the strengthening of our country’s technological autonomy.
This investment demonstrates strong confidence in Luqia and our ability to play a transformative role in the technological future of Québec and Canada. We are equipping ourselves to support companies and researchers in the development of the critical technologies of tomorrow, which will strengthen both our economy and our technological autonomy.
With Luqia, we are taking an important step forward by bringing research and industry closer together. The industrial sector has already shown keen interest in our capabilities, which shows we are answering a pressing need. This support will enable us to consolidate the infrastructure and expertise needed to speed up the development and commercialization of leading-edge technologies, right here in Québec.
Today, we are choosing to invest in strengthening our sovereign capabilities in Québec’s artificial intelligence and critical technologies. By supporting Luqia, all of Québec is equipping itself to develop expertise, infrastructure and strategic partnerships, capable of accelerating innovation, supporting the adoption of AI by industry, and bolstering our technological autonomy in sectors that are critical to our collective future.