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With over 1200 startups supported in 10 years, District 3 is Quebec’s leading incubator for bio, health, social and high tech entrepreneurs.
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Who we are
From conception to growth, we equip founders with the tools and guidance to succeed at every stage.

Our holistic approach combines tailored coaching, sector-specific expertise, ESG-focused strategies, and access to state-of-the-art labs, collaborative workspaces, and global networks.

More than just an incubator, District 3 is a vibrant community where creativity, collaboration, and passion ignite meaningful change and shape a better future.

OUR SERVICES
If innovation were a garden, we would be the gardeners.
What sets us apart
District 3 offers tailored support to meet the unique challenges and opportunities of each industry, at any stage. Our specialized knowledge and resources empower you to innovate and thrive in your specific field.

We believe innovation empowers anyone to make a positive impact, with entrepreneurship bridging the gap between ideas and action. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions, taking risks, and growing something meaningful from the ground up.

OUR SERVICES
Sector-Specific Expertise in high tech, bio, health and social innovation

With deep knowledge in high tech, bio, health, and social innovation, we provide industry-specific insights and solutions. Whether you’re tackling complex challenges or seizing new opportunities, our expertise ensures you’re equipped to innovate and thrive in your field.

World-Class Coaching

Access personalized mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and domain experts. Our coaches are dedicated to helping you refine your vision, navigate obstacles, and achieve your goals with confidence.

Investment-Ready Support

From crafting compelling pitches to connecting you with investors, we prepare you to secure the funding you need to grow. Our proven track record includes supporting over 1,000 startups, many of which have successfully raised capital.

Global Opportunities

Expand your reach with access to international networks, partnerships, and markets. We open doors to global opportunities that help you scale your impact beyond borders.

ESG-Aligned Expertise

We’re committed to fostering innovation that aligns with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Whether you’re building a sustainable business or driving social change, we’ll help you integrate purpose into your growth strategy.

We’re convinced that impact-driven people thrive in an inspiring, creative ecosystem.
what we stand for
Everything begins with the values we share

Our path to impactful innovation begins with the belief that we’re all interconnected, and every voice brings something unique. Ultimately, what unites us isn’t just what we do or how we do it, but where we’re headed—towards tomorrow.

Inclusion

Our programs are free, accessible, and open to everyone. Our community reflects the diversity of our offerings.

Audacity

We don’t settle for the status quo. Where others see obstacles, we see opportunities.

Multidisciplinarity

Collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and disciplines deepens our understanding of the world and sparks creative solutions to complex problems.

Passion

We’re driven by curiosity and excitement, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through innovation.

Action

Innovation and powerful ideas shouldn't be left to gather dust. To create change, we must be the change-makers who make things happen. 

Innovation

Creating change means pushing boundaries, daring to disrupt the norm, harnessing creativity and uniting diverse ideas. 

our space
Welcome to District 3, a vibrant co-working space in downtown Montreal with shared tables, cozy seating, and natural light.

Access our dynamic community space—open weekdays 9AM-5PM—featuring diverse first-come-first-serve workstations, bookable conference rooms for hybrid meetings, complimentary coffee, and event venues with dedicated staff support for workshops and networking opportunities.

team
Paul Geiben
Creative Lead
  • Training to become a mountain guide
  • Is a Pie master
  • Totem animal is a mountain goat
Paul Geiben
Some poems lead us to places that no words can reach, no thoughts; they guide you to the very essence. Life stands still for a moment and becomes beautiful, clear of regrets or happiness — Jón Kalman Stefánsson
Andrea Betts
Administration and Compliance Lead
  • Has 4 siblings (basically built for operations)
  • Currently in a basement band
  • Sub-par pottery thrower, professional dog mom
Andrea Betts
How many lightbulbs does it take to change people?
Aaron Johnson
Interim Executive Director of District 3
  • I am a cat person
  • I am the only faculty member in Psychology without a degree in Psychology.
  • Holds a diploma in singing from the Royal Academy of Music.
Aaron Johnson
"Seek the company of people who, when left alone with a tea cosy, will always try it on." Billy Connolly
Rosilda D’Arienzo
Neurodiversity Stream Lead & Assistant to the Executive Director
  • Can write with both hands
  • Loves to bake – Sweet tooth
  • Enjoys forest walks
Rosilda D’Arienzo
Unity is strength, when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved –– Mattie Stepanek
Katarina Martins
Co-Facilitator, and Programs Coordinator
  • Can draw upside down
  • Crafter of superb and unrivaled pranks
  • Has a wardrobe that is made up of 88% green clothes
Katarina Martins
I love red bell peppers. Bell peppers in general, really. I like to eat them like apples. They're so crunchy and delicious – Alex Honold
Gleice Leite
Biohub Lead
  • Loves Scientific Research
  • Enjoys exploring new lab techniques and methodologies in her spare time
  • Believes in the power of collaboration to drive scientific breakthroughs
Gleice Leite
Embrace the challenges, for they are the pathways to your greatest breakthroughs
Zaccary Dyck
Lead Facilitation and IT
  • Indoor garden is bigger than her outdoor garden
  • Dressed up every day in high school. It was a public school
  • Worked a Furry convention
Zaccary Dyck
Any book can be a self-help book
Marion Kressmann
Mentor Connect Director
  • Walked 100 km of the Camino de Compostela—one step at a time, with good friends, wide-open skies…and the occasional downpour, just to keep us humble!
  • Former women’s magazine journalist; listening to women’s untold stories taught me the true meaning of sorority
  • I bring friends together around a meal, mastering cooking... gradually!
Marion Kressmann
It’s not the destination—it’s the hidden waterfalls, quirky encounters, and fields of wildflowers that count
Sandra Chang
Social Innovation Validation Lead
  • Jigsaw puzzle fanatic
  • Soccer enthusiast
  • A university case competition got her to the WEF in Davos
Sandra Chang
No hay peor gestión que la que no se hace – Grandpa
Nicole Dunsmore
Content Writer
  • Animal whisperer
  • Bubly obsession
  • Office astrologer
Nicole Dunsmore
Semper ubi sububi
Regina Gantert
MentorConnect Coordinator
  • Serial smile maker
  • Has a baking passion
  • More artsy than you think
Regina Gantert
Being vulnerable with the wrong people is like bleeding in front of sharks
Riley McGregor-Mann
Office and Operations Support
  • Foraging enthusiast
  • Part of a community with dreams to build an off-grid net-zero commune
  • Backpacked over 14 countries
Riley McGregor-Mann
Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible –– Doris Lessing
Shayne La Rocque
User Experience & Systems Designer
  • Pro gamer
  • Eats gimbap every day
  • Built this website
Shayne La Rocque
Back to purity, back to simplicity. — Dieter Rams
Mahzad Sharifahmadian
Biotech Stream Advisor
  • Scientist by training, businesswoman by practice
  • Should have been an artist in her previous life
  • Likes to live in the moment, this moment and this moment and this moment…
Mahzad Sharifahmadian
"It's ok" – A friend said it to me when I was feeling like the end of the world and it stayed with me since then.
Mitalie Makhani
Pre-Launch and Launch & Grow Lead
  • Got her scuba diving license before driving license
  • Was on a National Dragon Boat Team for Canada
  • Melodic death metal enthusiast
Mitalie Makhani
All that we are is story, it is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind – Richard Wagamese
Tam Nguyen
Social Innovation Ideation Lead
  • Loves pizza topped with quail eggs
  • On-call farmer in the summer
  • Has an wooden sword in her house
Tam Nguyen
Chance favors the prepared mind
Silvia Ramirez
Performance Measurement Associate
  • Interested in finance, sustainability and entrepreneurship
  • Golfer, scuba diver, horseback rider and chess player
  • Has traveled to 28 countries
Silvia Ramirez
Grow through what you go through
Margaret Bywater
Biotech Stream Lead & Senior Coach
  • Veteran of the global biotech industry
  • Sang in folk clubs in the '70s
  • Loves to coach entrepreneurs
Margaret Bywater
Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful — Albert Schweitzer
Heena Punjabi
Operations Lead
  • Trained (Indian) classical dancer
  • Her home and its layout follows Vastu, and Indian tradition that aligns spaces to promote positive enery and aura
  • Self proclaimed master chef
Heena Punjabi
People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel –– Maya Angelou
Anmol Nagpal
Innovation, Strategy Lead & Validation Coach
  • Trained (read: failed) actor
  • Has a Kandinsky-esqe tattoo of a neuronal synapse on his arm
  • Whole identity is having a dog
Anmol Nagpal
Sweet, crazy conversations full of half sentences, daydreams and misunderstandings more thrilling than understanding could ever be –– Toni Morrison
Edna Chosack
Healthcare Stream Lead & Senior Coach
  • Not big on inspirational quotes, but definitely big on getting things done
  • Loves a good challenge and thrives in fast-paced environments
  • A firm believer that humor is the best icebreaker
Edna Chosack
I don’t do aspiration quotes, I leave it to smarter people than me
Anna Ehrhardt
Director of Administration and Operations
  • I’m energized by the challenge of navigating diverse perspectives and transforming conflict into collaborative solutions
  • Loves archery
  • Huskies are my passion and my curse :)
Anna Ehrhardt
"When you think you have all the answers, life changes the questions"
Julie Hamel
Social Innovation Lead & Senior Coach
  • The problem is 18 inches from the screen
  • Ask me anything about curling
  • Likes fast cars
Julie Hamel
Things happen for a reason
Sophie Legler
Startup Coordinator
  • Can talk your ear off about climate policy
  • Songs get stuck in her head... for days
  • Enjoys discovering new thrift stores
Sophie Legler
Womp womp
Paul Geiben
Andrea Betts
Aaron Johnson
Rosilda D’Arienzo
Katarina Martins
Gleice Leite
Zaccary Dyck
Marion Kressmann
Sandra Chang
Nicole Dunsmore
Regina Gantert
Riley McGregor-Mann
Shayne La Rocque
Mahzad Sharifahmadian
Mitalie Makhani
Tam Nguyen
Silvia Ramirez
Margaret Bywater
Heena Punjabi
Anmol Nagpal
Edna Chosack
Anna Ehrhardt
Julie Hamel
Sophie Legler
High Tech Coach
  • Ran his first marathon in Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Tech nerd
  • Participated in Dans l'œil du dragon on ICI Radio-Canada
Philippe Genois
To get what you want, you have to deserve what you want. The world is not yet a crazy enough place to reward a whole bunch of undeserving people –Charles Munger
High Tech & Health Coach
  • Seriously into fencing in high school (peak ranking #3 in the UK)
  • Lived and worked in six different countries
  • Left handed (the secret behind fact #1!)
Marina Massingham
Sometimes it is the people no one can imagine anything of who do the things no one can imagine –– Alan Turing
High Tech Coach
  • Rappelled down 1981 Ave McGill College for a charity event
  • Used to have a snake pet
  • Can do a one-handed cartwheel
Jacquie Walker
You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength –– Marcus Aurelius
Social Innovation
  • Home brewing beer since 1998
  • Started running at 43 and now run 5-8k three times a week
  • Biked over 1100km a year just in regular commuting around Montreal
Kurt Houghton
Don't take criticism from people you wouldn't go to for advice –– Jim Kwik
Social Innovation Coach
  • Has seen more teams and pitches than he can count
  • Into winter skiing, summer cycling, and year-round walking
  • He’s a natural in the kitchen, crafting delicious dishes without recipes
Eric Steedman
Success is not achieved by thinking you have all of the answers, it's really about knowing which questions to ask
Health Coach
  • Used to paddle in a Dragonboat team
  • Lagavulin is not better than Laphroaig
  • Yes, can still discuss endosomal trafficking
Dmitri Kharitidi
There is no conversation more boring than the one where everybody agrees –– Michel de Montaigne
Marketing Coach
  • Favorite country is Mexico 🇲🇽
  • Speaks 4 languages
  • Co-produced a film and won a Fantasia Film Fest prize
Roberto Cialdella
Vision without implementation is hallucination –– Thomas Edison
Social Innovation Coach
  • Were skating before he could walk
  • Hiked several mountains across Canada
  • Culinary enthusiast, always creating new dishes
Nicholas Rezzara
Entrepreneurship is living few years of life like most people won’t, so that you can spend the rest of your life like most people can’t
Coach
  • Visited 19 US National Parks
  • Used to ski 2 months in winter in French Alps during University
  • Ate in the 3 top French restaurants (according to Michelin guide)
Daniel Stoll
I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest caution. - Wernher von Braun