A U.S. startup headed by a Canadian entrepreneur is counting on Montreal’s artificial intelligence hub to help it expand faster.
Virginia-based BusPatrol plans to open a technological development centre in Montreal next month that will result in about 150 people being hired over two years, chief executive officer Jean Soulière said.
“Not only are we creating 150 jobs for ourselves, but we are bringing all of our North American manufacturing to Montreal,” Soulière, who is based in New York City, told the Montreal Gazette in a phone interview. “Quebec is where the dream started, and we’d like to bring some of our success up here.”
Montreal has “a good population of artificial intelligence developers, and we want to develop a strong presence here,” the CEO said. “We’re looking to show how AI can be used for public safety.”
BusPatrol will also be looking to develop a Quebec supply chain after striking an agreement with Montreal’s Hypertec to manufacture its “smart” cameras locally.