Amira Boutouchent, Julie Tousignant and Catherine Proulx, Ubisoft Women in Tech ambassadors, visited Silicon Valley last April 29 to May 3 as part of the trade mission seeking to promote Quebec’s expertise and to draw inspiration from technology giants.
They share their thoughts on this exceptional adventure.
My alarm goes off at 6 a.m. since we’re scheduled to leave the hotel at 6:45 a.m. No time to waste, the second day promises to be as busy and content-packed as the first.
Destination: Netflix. Our host is calm and serene, in stark contrast to the constant frenzy we feel in the Valley. Netflix is a mature and surprising employer that offers its employees unlimited vacation and sick leave. “Confidence rules,” our guide tells us. He explains that the company wants to empower its employees as much as possible. Interesting way of thinking...
The day continues at ABB, a solutions provider for companies in various sectors, such as agriculture and construction. I like to venture into other fields, and it’s fascinating to see all the creative and unexpected solutions that ABB has produced for many of its clients.
Then it's the venture capital experts’ turn to tell us about their reality in Silicon Valley. I wasn’t at all familiar with this side of the business world. They share a lot of advice with us on how to pitch projects to them. I don't consider myself an entrepreneur, so I don’t understand everything; but I find it fascinating.
We wrap up the day among Montrealers at the Université de Montréal Alumni Evening. Catherine Proulx, my Ubisoft Women in tech co-ambassador and Digital Health Researcher for the National Research Council of Canada, joins Michel Leblanc of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal to tell us about the future of technology in general and the place of women in this industry, as well as the future of technology education.
A wonderful second day comes to an end. On the agenda for the evening: dinner with the delegation and a good night's sleep before the Women of Silicon Valley event tomorrow and Friday.
Julie Tousignant
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. As a result, the Chamber cannot be held responsible for published content.
About the trade mission to Silicon Valley
The trade mission to Silicon Valley, led by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal in partnership with Ubisoft, was presented by the Ministère de l’Économie et de l’Innovation. The trade mission was made possible through the cooperation of CN and the participation of the Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec, Montréal International and our official carrier, Air Canada.