The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) and the Economic Development Department of the City of Sherbrooke have signed a three-year cooperation agreement. This agreement will connect Latvian companies and research organizations with one of Canada’s most significant quantum technology ecosystems, promoting the commercialization of new technologies, exports, investment attraction, and the development of joint projects.
The collaboration will cover quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and other deep technologies; information and communication technologies; smart manufacturing and clean technologies; as well as dual-use, defense, and security solutions.
Quantum technologies are moving from research to practical applications
Quantum technologies are becoming increasingly important in the development of secure communications, data protection, computing, precision sensors, and defense solutions. A country’s competitiveness in this field will be determined by scientific achievements and the ability to transform them into industrially manufactured products that are in demand on the international market. It is therefore important for Latvia to establish timely cooperation with ecosystems where research is closely linked to entrepreneurship, investment, and manufacturing.
Sherbrooke is located in the province of Quebec and is one of Canada’s centers for quantum technology development. The city is home to a quantum innovation zone officially recognized by the Quebec government, where researchers from the University of Sherbrooke, technology companies, startup founders, investors, and specialized laboratories collaborate.
“Quantum technologies are moving out of laboratories and into industry. International partnerships are currently being formed that will determine where and how scientific achievements will be transformed into new technologies and businesses. Latvia has strong scientists and internationally recognized expertise in the fields of quantum algorithms, sensors, communications, and nanoelectronics. Cooperation with Sherbrooke will provide Latvian scientists and companies with new opportunities to commercialize technologies and establish partnerships in the North American market,” emphasizes Ieva Jāgere, Director of the LIAA.
From business contacts to joint technology projects
The agreement aims to establish business contacts, connect companies with potential investors and partners, and develop joint research projects, pilot projects, and technology testing initiatives. Specific projects and activities will be selected based on the interests of both parties and the participating companies.
Cooperation between the LIAA representative office in Canada and the City of Sherbrooke’s Department of Economic Development began in the spring of 2025. Representatives from Sherbrooke visited Latvia in 2025 and 2026 and participated in the “TechChill” and “Deep Tech Atelier” technology conferences. With the involvement of the LIAA office in Canada, the City of Sherbrooke has also established cooperation with the Latvian Exporters Association “The Red Jackets” and participated in the Latvian Dual-Use Export Forum, which took place on September 6 and 7 in Rēzekne.
“Our cooperation with Sherbrooke has been purposefully developed over the course of more than a year. We have familiarized ourselves with the technology ecosystems of both countries, brought organizations and companies together, and reached the point of signing an agreement. The next step is to launch specific joint projects. The Latvian delegation’s visit to Sherbrooke provides an opportunity for our companies and innovation organizations to meet partners in person, explore research infrastructure, and discover collaboration opportunities in Canada,” says Ilze Lācgalve, head of the LIAA’s representative office in Canada.
In late September, the Latvian delegation visited Sherbrooke and participated in the “ALL IN” artificial intelligence conference in Montreal. The delegation included representatives from MIC, “UniLab,” “MILA,” as well as artificial intelligence companies “Asya,” “MyWisy,” Mitigate, and “VOZOROM.”
The Sherbrooke innovation ecosystem includes the University of 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. The “DistriQ” center, EQ1, offers companies and researchers specialized quantum technology laboratories, workspaces, and collaboration infrastructure.
“At a time when scale is playing an increasingly important role in the global economy, medium-sized economies and innovation ecosystems cannot develop successfully by operating in isolation. To find the right partners for cooperation, we must first clearly identify our strengths, opportunities, and limitations. Latvia and Sherbrooke have accomplished this—we know where our strengths complement one another and where cooperation can yield the greatest benefits. Now is the time to move from getting to know one another to taking concrete action —to jointly develop projects, establish businesses, and strengthen technological capabilities that would be much more difficult for each party to achieve on its own,” emphasizes Stephen Cabana, Acting Director of the City of Sherbrooke’s Economic Development Department.
About the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA)
The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) is a government agency under the supervision of the Ministry of Economics that helps Latvian companies grow in international markets, attract investment, and foster innovation. LIAA supports companies’ exports, entry into new markets, the implementation of investment projects, and the strengthening of Latvia’s competitiveness in the global economy.