Vaughan, Ontario, October 29, 2025 – At the HardTech Summit 2025, ventureLAB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Technum Quebec and a coalition of leading Canadian and American semiconductor organizations to advance the development of the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor (NSMC), a first-of-its-kind cross-border alliance designed to enhance innovation, economic resilience, and supply chain integration across North America.
The MOU, signed by partners from Quebec, Ontario, and the northeastern United States, establishes a structured framework for ongoing collaboration among academic, industry, and government stakeholders. With this agreement, Ontario is now formally recognized as part of the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor, expanding what was previously known primarily as a corridor from Bromont, Quebec to the Albany, New York area, and reinforcing its vital role in shaping North America’s semiconductor future. Canadian signatories include Technum Quebec – Electronics and Semiconductors Innovation Zone in Bromont, Distriq – Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke, MiQro Innovation Collaborative Center (C2MI), Université de Sherbrooke, ISEQ – Pôle d’excellence de l’Industrie des Systèmes Électroniques du Québec, Conseil du patronat du Québec, Canada’s Semiconductor Council, CMC Microsystems, and ventureLAB. Their U.S. counterparts include the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada – Québec Chapter, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, University of Vermont, ASMPT AEi Inc., and the State of New Hampshire.
“This MOU represents a critical step forward in strengthening North America’s semiconductor value chain,” said Alan Renaudin, Vice President, Business Development of Technum Québec of Technum Quebec. “By connecting Canada’s world-class R&D, manufacturing, and innovation ecosystems with U.S. partners, we’re building a more resilient and globally competitive semiconductor corridor.”
A Shared Vision for Innovation and Economic Security
The Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor spans Quebec, Ontario, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, positioning the region as a global hub for semiconductor innovation, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development. Key goals of the collaboration include structured dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to share strategic priorities; building a resilient and competitive supply chain across North America; coordinating policy discussions to align trade and technology priorities; advancing joint research, development, and commercialization initiatives; and leveraging regional strengths to enhance integration and cooperation.
“Semiconductors power every facet of modern life, from consumer electronics to national defense,” said Hugh Chow, CEO of ventureLAB. “Through this corridor, we are fortifying our shared capacity to innovate, produce, and compete globally.”
The initiative underscores the strategic and security importance of semiconductor self-sufficiency, emphasizing job creation, innovation, and economic growth. Each semiconductor job is estimated to generate 5.7 additional jobs across the broader economy, amplifying the impact of this collaboration across both countries.
About ventureLAB
ventureLAB is a leading global founder community for hardware technology and enterprise software companies in Canada. Located at the heart of Ontario’s innovation corridor in York Region, ventureLAB is part of one of the biggest and most diverse tech communities in Canada. Our initiatives focused on raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology and IP, and customer acquisition have enabled thousands of companies to create over 7,000 jobs and raise more than $480 million in investment capital. ventureLAB is powering hardtech founders to build and scale globally competitive ventures that advance Canada’s knowledge-based economy.
About Technum Québec, innovation zone
Technum Québec believes in the power of digital technologies. We help promising innovations take off, support the growth of exports, attract investments from near and far, and give businesses a boost in productivity. At the heart of it all: microelectronics and semiconductors, driving growth and prosperity.
To learn more visit: https://technumquebec.ca/
About Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor (NSMC)
The Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor (NSMC) unites Canadian and U.S. partners to create a dynamic cross-border semiconductor ecosystem. Stretching from New York State to Maine, including Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ontario, and Quebec, this strategic corridor leverages collective resources to reinforce the value chain and stimulate cross-border innovation. The recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizes this unique collaboration, advancing innovation, talent development, and sustainable growth in the North American semiconductor industry.
To learn more visit: https://nsmc-semiconductor.com/
