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Quantum Ecosystem Builders Distriq and Québec Quantique Among New Québec-based Organizations to Join the QIC Community

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SHERBROOKE, QC, July 3, 2024 /CNW/ – Quantum Industry Canada (QIC), the national consortium dedicated to advancing the country’s quantum technology sector, is pleased to announce the addition of six new Québec-based members and affiliates to its growing community. These new additions represent a range of organizations across the quantum value chain, emphasizing Québec’s status as a major Canadian and global centre for quantum technology innovation. Notably, DistriQ, the Quantum Innovation Zone of Sherbrooke, and Québec Quantique are the first of Canada’s major regional quantum innovation ecosystem accelerators to join the QIC community.

The Government of Québec has invested significantly in building the province’s quantum technology ecosystem, with strategic investments aiming to enable homegrown quantum innovators to flourish and to attract foreign investment, international companies, and top-tier talent to Québec’s burgeoning quantum sector. 

The following Québec-based organizations are the latest to join QIC’s expanding network:

DistriQ, the Quantum Innovation Zone of Sherbrooke and Québec Quantique form a quantum innovation ecosystem accelerator headquartered in Sherbrooke and Montréal that connects and integrates collaborative initiatives among researchers, companies, facilities, and investors in the province of Québec.Qubic Technologies is a Sherbrooke-based quantum hardware startup developing the next generation of advanced microwave remote sensing systems.Exaion, a Montréal-based subsidiary of France’s EDF Group, supports the responsible acceleration of data processing, ensuring its security, and facilitating access and control for users.Numana is a macro-accelerator for emerging technologies in Québec and is currently working to deploy and provide access to the Kirq quantum communications testbed.QV Studio is the first canadian startup studio headquartered in Sherbrooke dedicated to creating and de-risking companies working in quantum technologies.

“With a full spectrum of assets and capabilities spanning the entire quantum technology value chain, Québec is uniquely positioned to drive quantum innovation from fundamental concepts to delivering commercial value,” said Lisa Lambert, QIC’s CEO. “Québec’s quantum investments are already making significant strides, and we are excited to collaborate with and support these new additions to the QIC community, as well as quantum innovators across the province, in making a global impact and enhancing prosperity in Canada.” 

Quantum Industry Canada now represents almost 60 quantum technology and allied organizations among its members and affiliates, underscoring the consortium’s pivotal role in uniting and propelling Canada’s quantum industry forward. Quantum sector companies and organizations supporting Canada’s quantum ecosystem are invited to explore the benefits of QIC membership and affiliate opportunities and apply to join the national consortium here.

QUOTES

 “Joining Quantum Industry Canada marks a strategic milestone for DistriQ, the Quantum Innovation Zone of Sherbrooke. Through our integration into this influential network, we secure direct engagement with pivotal figures in the quantum technology domain. This partnership fuels our capacity to amplify the value we provide to our ecosystem. Together, our endeavors will propel the development of pioneering solutions, fortifying Québec’s stance in the worldwide quantum landscape.” 
— Martin Enault, CEO, DistriQ, the Quantum Innovation Zone of Sherbrooke

“Joining Quantum Industry Canada represents a pivotal step for Québec Quantique in fostering innovation and collaboration within the national quantum technology ecosystem. This partnership will accelerate our mission to position Québec and Canada as a global leader.”
— Olivier Gagnon-Gordillo, Executive Director, Québec Quantique

“Qubic Technologies has been on an incredible journey to bring advanced microwave remote sensing systems from concept to market. Our addition to Quantum Industry Canada marks a key moment in this journey. The future of quantum technology depends not only on groundbreaking innovations but also on the robust support networks that foster collaboration and growth. Being part of this distinguished community will amplify our efforts and accelerate the practical application of our technologies. Together with QIC and its members, we are poised to push the boundaries of what’s possible and solidify Québec and Canada as beacons of quantum advancement on the global stage.”
— Jérôme Bourassa, CEO, Qubic Technologies

 “Joining Quantum Industry Canada represents a strategic step for Exaion as we align with Canada’s leading quantum technology pioneers. This collaboration allows us to tap into a rich ecosystem of quantum innovation, enhancing our capabilities in hybrid quantum computing. By integrating with QIC, we are actively pushing the frontiers of quantum advancements, helping drive new solutions for sustainability and efficiency that will benefit industries worldwide.”
— Fatih Balyeli, CEO and Co-founder, Exaion

“As the instigator of Canada’s very first open test bed for quantum communication, it was an obvious choice for Numana to join forces with Quantum Industry Canada in order to foster new collaborations around our project and contribute to the development of the industry.'”
— Jacques McNeill, Coordinator, Kirq Quantum Communication Test Bed, Numana

“QV Studio is one of the very first venture studios specifically creating and de-risking quantum startups in the world. The initiatives driven by Quantum Industry Canada will help us to be connected to the needs of different industries that will be disrupted by quantum to take strategic decisions and initiate key partnerships.”
— Sarah Jenna, Executive Director, QV Studio

About Quantum Industry Canada
Quantum Industry Canada (QIC) is the country’s national consortium, uniting quantum technology companies and allied organizations to champion the development of Canada’s rapidly emerging quantum sector. With nearly 60 members and affiliates, QIC is dedicated to transforming Canada’s quantum strengths and capabilities into global business success and economic prosperity. Given the Canadian quantum industry’s potential to contribute over 3% of GDP and create over 200,000 jobs by 2045 — the QIC community is fervently working to unlock Canada’s quantum potential, aiming to secure our nation’s leadership and economic success in the global quantum landscape while bolstering national security.

About Distriq
Quantum Innovation Zone and Québec Quantique form a quantum innovation acceleration ecosystem that catalyzes expertise and infrastructure. It connects and integrates collaborative initiatives, enhancing synergy between the various players in Québec’s quantum ecosystem. To find out more, visit https://distriq.com/ and https://quebec-quantique.ca/en/home/

About Qubic Technologies
Qubic Technologies is a quantum hardware startup developing the next generation of advanced microwave remote sensing systems. Our technology can increase accuracy, reliability and actionability of microwave intelligence in critical situations and harsh environments. Learn more at: https://qubictech.co/ 

About Exaion
Exaion, a subsidiary of the EDF Group, was co-founded in 2020 by Fatih Balyeli and Laurent Bernou-Mazars, who became respectively its CEO and CTO. Aligned with the Group’s raison d’être, Exaion supports industries in their digital transformation with a responsible and sustainable approach: upgrading old supercomputers, using largely decarbonized electricity, and recovering waste heat. Its mission revolves around data: accelerating its processing, ensuring its security, and facilitating access and control for users. Its experts develop efficient, innovative and sovereign solutions and services. Exaion Inc., its subsidiary based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, serves the needs of North American stakeholders. For further information: exaion.edf.fr/en

About Numana
At Numana, we’re a catalyst for technological ecosystems. With our partners, we bring innovative people together to create more value for the technology industry and for Québec as a whole. The name Numana is optimistic, technological and people-centered; it’s focused on the future. It epitomizes our desire to develop new technologies for the people of tomorrow. Learn more at https://numana.tech/en/ 

About QV Studio
QV Studio is a startup studio partnering with two venture capital funds (Quantonation and Quantacet) dedicated to quantum technologies. QV Studio’s mission is to create and de-risk university spinoffs developing quantum technologies to transform different markets, including energy, health, sustainability, etc. By joining QV studio, companies gain a team of experienced entrepreneurs, state-of-the-art research and development infrastructure and investors specialized in the quantum field. They increase your business’ chances of success, while growing as an entrepreneur. Learn more at https://www.qventurestudio.com/en

SOURCE Distriq, Quantum Innovation Zone

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Threekit Launches AI Sales Agent for Manufacturers

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The Threekit Sales Agent helps sellers who are overwhelmed with the complexity of selling manufactured products. It gets sellers to a proposal in seconds rather than hours and works with existing CPQ, B2B commerce, and ERP systems.

CHICAGO, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Threekit today announced the Threekit Sales Agent, built on its new native AI platform. The Agent makes guided selling effortless by digesting a wide variety of customer requirements and recommending valid configured solutions instantly.

For 30 years, CPQ and ERP have been the backbone of how manufacturers quote, make and order products. But the modern seller expects something faster and more intuitive in the age of AI.

The Threekit Sales Agent is the first sales tool manufacturing sellers actually love.

Reps start with what they already have: notes, voice memos, photos, documents, RFPs, line drawings, competitive quotes. The Agent doesn’t wait for a complete spec. It reads the customer’s intent, works toward a valid quote, and takes the next step on its own – asking the rep what’s missing, flagging conflicts before they become errors, and proposing the next valid configuration the rep didn’t see.

When requirements change mid-deal, the Agent reasons through the impact and adjusts the proposal in place. No starting over. It catches a rule violation the rep would have shipped, spots an incompatible option and recommends the fix, and keeps the deal moving toward a quote it knows is valid. Threekit Sales Agent can be deployed across direct sales, channel sales, dealer networks, websites, and ecommerce.

“There’s a huge gap in the Guided Selling stage that sits in front of CPQ and B2B systems on the path to a quote,” said Matt Gorniak, CEO of Threekit. “There’s massive demand to use AI to make complex products easier to sell. We see it directly – revenue for our AI Sales Agent has grown more than 229% in the last year.”

Threekits AI platform built for enterprise trust, safety, reliability, and proof: more than 10M configuration-to-quote sessions monthly, a 99.8% SLA, ISO 27001 certification, and 150 enterprise customers. Threekit’s AI Sales agent has grown revenue 229% in the last year.

About Threekit

Threekit helps manufacturers make complex products easier to sell. Its AI Sales Agent reasons over product data, configuration logic, visual selling, governance, and enterprise integrations to drive a deal from customer request to valid, configured proposal on its own.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/threekit-launches-ai-sales-agent-for-manufacturers-302803654.html

SOURCE Threekit

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CENTEGIX Launches The Safety Signal Podcast, Where Crisis Meets Connection

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New podcast hosted by CMO Robb Monkman and national school safety leader Ron Self debuts with Chief Development Officer Dr. Roderick Sams

ATLANTA, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CENTEGIX, the leader in incident response and everyday safety solutions protecting more than 18 million people across 50 states, today announced the launch of The Safety Signal, a new podcast dedicated to the people, innovations, and conversations redefining what it means to feel safe at work.

Safety is earned in the moments most people never see. The Safety Signal brings you the people who live those moments, trading worst-case theory for what actually works.

Hosted by CENTEGIX Chief Marketing Officer, Robb Monkman, alongside co-host, Ron Self, a nationally recognized school safety leader, each episode bridges the gap between crisis and connection, bringing together educators, healthcare leaders, safety experts, and innovators to explore safety not just as a crisis response, but as a driver of culture, retention, trust, and organizational improvement.

“We are not just talking about technology,” said Monkman. “We are talking about the teacher who can focus on her students. The nurse who can focus on her patients. The leader who can focus on their people. That is what safety looks like when it actually works.”

Debut Episode: Safety as a School Improvement Issue

The first episode of The Safety Signal is available now, featuring CENTEGIX Chief Development Officer Dr. Roderick Sams, known to colleagues and partners as Rocky. A former award-winning principal, teacher, and coach, Dr. Sams brings a career built in classrooms and school buildings to a conversation about why safety sits at the center of every school improvement challenge facing leaders today.

Topics covered in the debut episode include the real cost of teacher turnover, the downstream impact of unsafe environments on enrollment and community trust, and what school leaders wish they had known sooner.

“Success is determined by where you end, not where you start,” said Dr. Sams. “Safe schools give every student and every educator a fighting chance at that.”

Where to Listen

The Safety Signal is available now at:

Website: https://www.centegix.com/resources/the-safety-signal-podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJZvrdMqaTg
Spotify: Available now
Apple Podcasts: Available now
Amazon Music: Available now

Available wherever you get your podcasts.

About CENTEGIX

CENTEGIX is the leader in rapid incident response and everyday safety solutions, protecting more than 18 million people across 18,000+ locations in 50 states. The CENTEGIX Safety Platform, including CrisisAlert wearable panic buttons, Safety Blueprint critical incident mapping, Visitor Management, and Reunification, gives organizations the tools to plan for and respond to any emergency, from the everyday to the extreme. CENTEGIX serves K-12 and higher education, healthcare, government, commercial, and public safety organizations nationwide. CENTEGIX is backed by Charlesbank Capital Partners and Gauge Capital.

For more information visit www.centegix.com

CONTACT: marketing@centegix.com

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SOURCE CENTEGIX

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ICON International Launches Content and Entertainment Solution, Establishing New Pathways for Brand-Funded Film and Television

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Industry Veteran Aaron Tabas to Lead Offering with First Wave of Partnerships Including Imagine Entertainment, Pro Shop and more

STAMFORD, Conn., June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICON International, the media-backed financial solutions company, today announced the official launch of its Content and Entertainment solution, a new practice dedicated to solving the industry’s most persistent challenges in content funding, production, and distribution. ICON will debut the offering this month at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity (June 22–26), where its executives will meet with brands, agencies, and producers to discuss how the new practice is rewriting the economics of brand-funded entertainment.

The new offering, led by industry veteran Aaron Tabas, has already established strategic partnerships with leading talent agencies, creators, and distributors. Leveraging ICON’s core strength as a media and financial solutions partner, the new offering gives brands, creators, and distributors access to innovative, flexible financing structures that make content initiatives more streamlined, cost-effective, and impactful.

“ICON has always sat at the intersection of media, content, and advertising,” said Reid Steinberg, EVP, Media Director at ICON International. “This new offering formalizes what we have long done best—connecting brands with culture through financial expertise and strategic partnerships.”

Three Core Solutions for Content Financing and Distribution
ICON’s Content and Entertainment solution offers partners three proprietary funding models:

Working Media Solution: ICON unlocks funding for a brand’s content initiatives by creating added value around its existing media investments.Media Trade Solution: ICON funds content projects on behalf of brands and distributors in exchange for future advertising inventory.Independent Financing: ICON serves as a traditional film and television financier, bringing its brand and distributor relationships and marketing expertise to the table alongside capital.

“Working with ICON has changed how we think about brand partnerships,” said Marc Gilbar, President of Brands, Partnerships & IP at Imagine Entertainment. “They came to the table not just with financing, but with a deep understanding of what it takes to make engaging content. ICON has given filmmakers and brands a new roadmap to making their most ambitious projects possible.”

Projects at Launch
From documentary film to scripted prestige television to indie features and viral social content, ICON has already assembled a diverse portfolio of projects that demonstrates the full range of what its funding and distribution models can offer clients. Across each, the throughline is bringing together best-in-class creative partners and giving them the resources to tell stories at the highest level.

Amelia, Feature Documentary in Partnership with CNN Films, Imagine Documentaries, Storyville Films and produced in association with ICON and Sandbox Films: ICON is a core funding partner on Amelia, a feature documentary billed as the definitive portrait of Amelia Earhart. Produced by CNN Films, Imagine Documentaries and Storyville Films, directed by Academy Award Nominated and Emmy-Winning Julie Cohen and Betsy West and set to air on CNN, the project represents the kind of premium, culturally significant content ICON was built to support. The partnership was brokered by CAA Media and Entertainment Partnerships and signals the caliber of relationships the solution brings to the table.The Artist, Limited Series in Partnership with The Network: ICON’s reach extends to scripted prestige television with The Artist, the Gilded Age murder mystery limited series from creator Aram Rappaport featuring an ensemble cast that includes Mandy Patinkin, Janet McTeer, Patti LuPone, Hank Azaria, and Zachary Quinto. ICON funded the program for The Network, the free, ad-supported streaming platform demonstrating the model’s ability to support not only individual titles but the platforms that distribute them. The Artist premiered on The Network over the 2025 holiday season and is streaming now at thenetwork.stream.Social Content Series, in Partnership with Dude Wipes and Pro Shop: ICON executed a social content series for DUDE Wipes in partnership with Pro Shop, a leading golf media company. The series, executed by Skratch Golf with its unique media rights, featured the PGA TOUR’s best players navigating pressure-packed on-course situations during one of the year’s most attended events, the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The program generated more than 3 million views across Skratch Golf’s media channels and exceeded engagement benchmarks.dAte, an Independent Feature Film: ICON is also putting its Independent Financing model to work on dAte, an indie horror film currently in production with Squid Farm Productions. The project showcases ICON’s role as a traditional film financier pairing capital with the brand relationships and marketing expertise that independent filmmakers rarely find in a funding partner.

“What we’ve built is a fundamentally different way for brands and creators to work together,” said Aaron Tabas, who leads ICON’s Content and Entertainment solution. “The projects we’re bringing to Cannes reflect what’s possible when you remove the financial friction from the creative process. We’ve partnered with some of the best producers, agencies, and distributors in the business, and we’re just getting started.”

ICON at Cannes Lions
ICON’s Content and Entertainment team, led by Tabas, will be on the ground at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, June 22–26, meeting with brands, agencies, producers, and distributors to discuss partnership and financing opportunities.

About ICON International
ICON International is a media-backed financial solutions partner that transforms underutilized resources into measurable growth. With the trust of over 350 organizations, ICON combines strategic know-how, creativity, financial expertise, and unmatched media partnerships to create enterprise value for its clients. For more information, visit www.iconinternational.com.

Media Contact: iconinternational@jainepr.com

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SOURCE ICON International

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