Access new markets with the SÉO
The Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO), in collaboration with the Pôle Exportation de la Fédération des gens d’affaires (FGA), is organizing two strategic economic missions — one to New Brunswick from April 20 to 24 and one in Ontario from April 27 to May 1 — to help Francophone and bilingual SMEs explore new markets and accelerate their growth across Canada.
These missions offer participating companies a structured program of business meetings, company visits and networking activities within dynamic economic ecosystems.
A business opportunity at low cost
Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada, travel, a portion of accommodation and living expenses for participating companies are covered as part of these missions. This allows you to focus on what matters most: growing your network, meeting new partners and unlocking new business opportunities.
Concrete business opportunities for your company
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Explore new markets: Meet businesses and strategic partners in dynamic economic ecosystems..
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Expand your business network: Engage with entrepreneurs, economic decision-makers and potential partners..
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Develop promising collaborations: Participate in targeted B2B meetings prepared in advance to maximize the value of every exchange..
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Benefit from strategic support: Follow a turnkey business pathway with support before, during and after the mission to help you maximize your participation.
Interested?
Complete the pre-registration form to present your company and your business objectives (available in French only for now). Selected companies will then be supported in preparing their participation and business meetings. Act quickly. Places are limited.
Want more details before pre-registering? Keep reading? You can download our information document or view it in interactive mode.
Two missions. Two business opportunities
Ontario – New-Brunswick: April 20 to 24, 2026
Explore new markets in Canada’s only officially bilingual province. This mission will enable Ontario companies to develop interprovincial partnerships and connect with a dynamic Francophone economic network.
Participating companies will take part in a program that includes business meetings, networking activities and opportunities to engage with key players in New Brunswick’s economic ecosystem.
This mission aims to foster collaboration between Francophone and bilingual businesses in Ontario and New Brunswick while opening the door to new business opportunities.
Ontario – Toronto and Ottawa : April 27 to May 1, 2026
(held as part of the Forum franco-ontarien des affaires)
Strengthen your business networks across Ontario.. This mission aims to stimulate collaboration between Francophone and bilingual companies from different regions of the province while leveraging the momentum of the Forum franco-ontarien des affaires, alongside which this economic mission takes place.
Participating companies will have the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs and economic partners, expand their networks and explore new collaboration opportunities within Ontario’s Francophone economic ecosystem.
This mission is designed to encourage interregional partnerships and create new business opportunities for participating companies.
Participating means accessing new markets
These missions are designed to open new markets, multiply business meetings and foster connections between companies in order to generate concrete business opportunities. Participating companies will be able to:
✔ Expand their business networks
✔ Establish new strategic partnerships
✔ Explore new markets
✔ Identify growth opportunities
✔ Contribute to strengthening Francophone economic corridors across Canada
Each mission offers a structured, turnkey business pathway, including:
✔ Qualified B2B meetings prepared in advance to maximize the relevance of exchanges
✔ Direct access to economic partners and decision-makers
✔ Targeted networking and matchmaking activities, as well as company visits
✔ Strategic support before, during and after the mission
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the right partners and turn these exchanges into real business opportunities!
Sectors ready to seize new opportunities
These missions are primarily intended for companies active in the following sectors:
Industrial Technologies and Energy Solutions
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Automation
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Clean technologies
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Industrial IoT
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Batteries and energy
Manufacturing and Specialized Equipment
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Specialized machinery
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Industrial components
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Custom manufacturing
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Technical products
Agri-food technologies and processing
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Smart agriculture
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Food processing
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Agri-food equipment
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Sustainable production
Frequently asked questions
What exactly are the 2026 economic missions?
What exactly are the 2026 economic missions? The 2026 economic missions are structured business development initiatives designed to support Francophone and bilingual SMEs in Ontario in exploring and entering new markets through targeted business meetings, connections with business networks and ecosystems, and strategic activities.
Why is SÉO organizing these missions this year?
SÉO aims to strengthen the positioning and competitiveness of Francophone businesses in Ontario by facilitating access to new intraprovincial and interprovincial markets and by strengthening Francophone economic corridors.
What is the main objective of these initiatives?
The main objective is to generate concrete business opportunities for participating companies while supporting growth, partnerships and expansion beyond their home markets.
Who are these missions intended for?
These missions are intended for Francophone or bilingual SMEs in Ontario that are actively commercializing their products or services and that have production capacity and a growth plan.
What distinguishes these missions from a simple networking event?
Unlike a one-time networking event, the missions rely on:
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structured preparation
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prior qualification of companies
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targeted organization of B2B meetings
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strategic support before, during and after the mission
What is the benefit for an Ontario company to participate in a mission to New Brunswick?
The interprovincial mission provides access to a new market and allows companies to meet key institutional and economic partners, identify business opportunities and explore meaningful collaborations in a Francophone and bilingual environment.
What types of partners will be present during the interprovincial mission?
Government institutions
Economic development agencies
Municipalities
Chambers of commerce
Sector clusters and incubators
Educational institutions
Targeted local companies for B2B meetings
Which sectors are particularly targeted?
Targeted sectors include industrial technologies and solutions, innovative manufacturing and technological production, as well as technology-driven agri-food processing.
Sector 1: Industrial Technologies and Energy Solutions
Automation solutions
Industrial sensors and IoT
Energy storage and batteries
Industrial clean technologies
Productivity-enhancing technology solutions
Sector 2: Manufacturing and Specialized Equipment
Industrial equipment
Technical parts and components
Specialized machinery
Custom manufacturing
High value-added technical products
Sector 3: Agri-food Technologies and Processing
Technology-based agricultural solutions
Greenhouses and smart agriculture
Innovative food processing
Agri-food equipment
Sustainable food production solutions
What is the objective of the intraprovincial mission in Ontario?
The intraprovincial mission aims to strengthen trade exchanges between Francophone businesses from different regions of Ontario and stimulate provincial value chains.
Why is one of the missions held alongside the Franco-Ontarian Business Forum?
The Forum is a strategic platform for visibility and mobilization, allowing business meetings to be maximized while integrating the mission into a major economic event.
How do these missions concretely support the growth of Francophone SMEs?
They facilitate access to new clients, structure qualified business meetings and accelerate connections with business ecosystems and strategic partners.
What are the eligibility criteria for participating?
Companies must:
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have been in operation for at least two years
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generate annual revenues of at least $250,000
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employ at least three people
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be actively commercializing their products or services
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demonstrate the capacity for expansion
How can a company express its interest?
By completing an online pre-registration form, followed by a qualification interview.
How are participating companies selected?
Selection is based on the analysis of commercial maturity, growth capacity, sector relevance and the company’s level of engagement.
How does SÉO prepare companies before business meetings?
Through information sessions, individual coaching and business objective alignment.
What costs are covered by the mission?
Travel, accommodation and living expenses for participating companies are covered as part of the mission.
How are B2B meetings organized and structured?
Meetings are pre-qualified based on company profiles and objectives and then integrated into a structured agenda.
What type of support is offered during the mission?
Strategic guidance, logistical coordination, institutional support and facilitation of activities.
Is there follow-up after the mission?
Yes. Follow-up support is provided to help companies advance the opportunities identified.
What results can reasonably be expected?
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development of new qualified contacts
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the initiation of partnerships
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the generation of commercial opportunities
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expansion of business networks
How will the outcomes be measured?
Through monitoring of meetings held, partnerships initiated and business opportunities generated.
Mission KPIs include:
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Minimum number of B2B meetings: 30 per mission
(3 to 5 individual meetings per company + 3 to 4 group meetings) -
Conversion rate into business opportunities: ≥10%
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Company satisfaction rate: ≥85%
What time commitment is required from participating companies?
Full participation in mission activities, advance preparation and availability for scheduled B2B meetings.
How can partners recommend relevant companies?
By sharing information within their networks and directing companies to the pre-registration form.
Who should interested entrepreneurs contact for more information?
The Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO) through its official communication channels.
Who organizes these economic missions?
The missions are organized by the Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO) in partnership with the FGA, with strategic and operational support from VIADUCS.
