Sherbrooke, April 17, 2025 — The first official meeting of the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the Québec–U.S. Northeast Semiconductor Corridor was held yesterday at the Université de Sherbrooke.
The initiative, led by Technum Québec and AmCham – Québec chapter, builds on more than 50 years of collaboration between industrial and research ecosystems in Québec and the Northeastern United States. Its aim is to strengthen existing ties and build new bridges in the field of semiconductors and related technologies.
The meeting brought together the current MOU signatories:
– Technum Québec – Zone d’innovation en électronique et semi-conducteur
– AmCham – section Québec
– C2MI
– Distriq – Zone d’innovation quantique
– Université de Sherbrooke
– Conseil du patronat du Québec
– ISEQ (Pôle d’excellence en systèmes électroniques du Québec)
– University of Vermont
– Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Three new stakeholders also participated in the meeting with the intention of formally joining the initiative:
– Venture Lab
– CMC Microsystems
– Department of Business and Economic Affairs – State of New HampshireState of New Hampshire
The day was marked by the presence of Senator Peter Welch (Vermont), who addressed the group in the morning. As an architect of the CHIPS and Science Act, Senator Welch underscored the strategic importance of building a resilient, continental semiconductor value chain.
« We have reached an important milestone today. The Northeast Corridor is no longer just an idea – it is becoming a concrete and sustainable structure for action ,” said Manon Duclos, President and CEO of Technum Québec.
This initiative would not have taken shape without the vision and leadership of Michel Belval, President of the Québec chapter of AmCham:
« This corridor answers a strategic need: to structure and reinforce the economic and technological links between our two markets. With our geographic proximity and ecosystem complementarity, we are uniquely positioned to become a hub of collaboration in North America. . »
Québec is home to over 900 companies in the electronics and semiconductor sectors. Of these, 90% export their products and services, and for 75% of them, the U.S. is their primary market — making it a natural strategic partner.
Throughout the day, participants identified key actions to intensify collaboration:
– Improved mutual understanding of our ecosystems
– Acceleration of joint research and innovation projects
– Creation of local and resilient value chains
– Closer coordination to attract investment and support workforce development
Announcements will follow in the coming weeks confirming the addition of new strategic MOU partners.
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For information :
Stéphanie Latour
Vice-présidente, affaires publiques et relations avec le milieu
Technum Québec
stephanie.latour@technumquebec.ca
