Canada and U.S. Semiconductor Leaders Forge MOU to Enhance North American Semiconductor Corridor

On October 29, 2025, during the HardTech Summit, ventureLAB signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Technum Quebec and a coalition of leading semiconductor organizations from both Canada and the U.S. This partnership aims to advance the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor (NSMC), the first cross-border alliance designed to bolster innovation, economic resilience, and supply chain integration across North America.

Previously recognized mainly as a corridor stretching from Bromont, Quebec, to Albany, New York, this memorandum officially integrates Ontario into the NSMC framework, highlighting its vital role in shaping North America's semiconductor landscape. Canadian signatories included Technum Quebec—the Electronics and Semiconductors Innovation Zone in Bromont, Distriq (the Quantum Innovation Zone in Sherbrooke), the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Center (C2MI), Université de Sherbrooke, ISEQ (the Quebec Electronics Systems Industry Excellence Center), the Conseil du patronat du Québec, Canada’s Semiconductor Council, CMC Microsystems, and ventureLAB. U.S. participants included the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada – Québec Chapter, the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the University of Vermont, ASMPT AEi Inc., and the State of New Hampshire.

Alan Renaudin, Vice President of Business Development at Technum Quebec, stated that this MOU is a crucial step in fortifying North America's semiconductor value chain. It connects Canada's robust R&D and manufacturing capabilities with U.S. partners, fostering a more resilient, competitive semiconductor corridor.

The NSMC encompasses Quebec, Ontario, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, positioning the region as a global hub for semiconductor innovation and advanced manufacturing. The collaboration aims to encourage ongoing dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to establish strategic priorities, enhance supply chain resilience, align trade and technology discussions, advance joint research and commercialization initiatives, and capitalize on regional strengths for greater cooperation.

Hugh Chow, CEO of ventureLAB, emphasized the importance of semiconductors in modern life, from consumer electronics to national security. He noted that this corridor would enhance the collective ability to innovate and compete globally. The initiative also spotlights the strategic necessity for semiconductor self-sufficiency, driving job creation and economic growth—each semiconductor job is reported to generate an additional 5.7 jobs in the broader economy.

ventureLAB is highlighted as a leading community for hardware technology and enterprise software in Canada, situated within Ontario’s innovation corridor. Its initiatives focus on supporting startups in raising capital, talent retention, commercializing technology, and customer acquisition, fostering thousands of jobs and substantial investment capital.

Technum Québec, on the other hand, focuses on the growth of microelectronics and semiconductors to spur economic prosperity, backing promising innovations to boost exports and investments, driving productivity for businesses.

The NSMC is poised to unite Canadian and U.S. partners to establish a dynamic cross-border semiconductor ecosystem. By leveraging collective resources and enhancing collaboration, the corridor aims to strengthen the semiconductor value chain while fostering innovation, talent development, and sustainable growth in North America's semiconductor industry.

For more information, ventureLAB and Technum Quebec provide resources through their respective websites, enhancing the visibility and support within this strategic initiative.