The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the City of Sherbrooke’s Economic Development Department have signed a three-year cooperation agreement. It will connect Latvian companies and research organisations with one of Canada’s leading quantum technology ecosystems, supporting the commercialisation of new technologies, exports, investment attraction and joint projects.
The cooperation will cover quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and other deep technologies, information and communication technologies, smart manufacturing and clean technologies, as well as dual-use, defence and security solutions.
Quantum technologies move from research to practical applications
Quantum technologies are becoming increasingly important in the development of secure communications, data protection, computing, precision sensors and defence solutions. Countries’ competitiveness in this field will depend on scientific achievements and their ability to translate them into products that can be manufactured at scale and meet international market demand. It is therefore important for Latvia to establish partnerships early with ecosystems where research is closely connected to business, investment and manufacturing.
Located in the province of Quebec, Sherbrooke is one of Canada’s centres for quantum technology development. The city hosts a quantum innovation zone officially recognised by the Quebec government, bringing together researchers from the Université de Sherbrooke, technology companies, startup founders, investors and specialised laboratories.
“Quantum technologies are moving out of laboratories and into industry. International partnerships are now taking shape that will determine where and how scientific achievements translate into new technologies and businesses. Latvia has strong scientists and internationally recognised expertise in quantum algorithms, sensors, communications and nanoelectronics. Cooperation with Sherbrooke will give Latvian researchers and companies new opportunities to commercialise technologies and build partnerships in the North American market,” says LIAA Director Ieva Jāgere.
From business connections to joint technology projects
The agreement provides for establishing business contacts, connecting companies with potential investors and partners, and developing joint research projects, pilot projects and technology testing initiatives. Specific projects and activities will be selected according to the interests of both parties and the participating companies.
Cooperation between LIAA’s representative office in Canada and the City of Sherbrooke’s Economic Development Department began in spring 2025. Sherbrooke representatives visited Latvia in 2025 and 2026, attending the TechChill and Deep Tech Atelier technology conferences. With support from LIAA’s representative office in Canada, the City of Sherbrooke also established cooperation with the Latvian Exporters Association, The Red Jackets, and participated in the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum held in Rēzekne on 6–7 September.
“We have been steadily building cooperation with Sherbrooke for more than a year. We have explored both countries’ technology ecosystems, brought organisations and companies together, and reached the signing of an agreement. The next step is concrete joint projects. The Latvian delegation’s visit to Sherbrooke gives our companies and innovation organisations an opportunity to meet partners in person, explore research infrastructure and discover cooperation opportunities in Canada,” says Ilze Lācgalve, Head of LIAA’s Representative Office in Canada.
The Latvian delegation visited Sherbrooke in late September and attended the ALL IN artificial intelligence conference in Montreal. The delegation included MIC, UniLab and MILA, as well as AI companies Asya, MyWisy, Mitigate and VOZOROM.
Sherbrooke’s innovation ecosystem includes the Université de Sherbrooke’s Quantum Institute (Institut quantique), the Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), the DistriQ quantum innovation zone, the QV Studio startup development platform and other partners. DistriQ’s EQ1 centre offers companies and researchers specialised quantum technology laboratories, workspaces and infrastructure for collaboration.
“At a time when scale is becoming increasingly important in the global economy, mid-sized economies and innovation ecosystems cannot thrive by working independently. To find the right partners, we must first clearly understand our strengths, opportunities and limitations. Latvia and Sherbrooke have done this work: we know where our strengths complement one another and where cooperation can make the greatest contribution. Now it is time to move from getting to know each other to concrete action — jointly developing projects, building companies and strengthening technological capabilities that would be much harder for either side to achieve alone,” says Stephen Cabana, Acting Director of the City of Sherbrooke’s Economic Development Department.
