Défi OSEntreprendre shines a spotlight on promising business ventures emerging across Québec’s 17 regions. Its 28th edition received 1,619 applications and awarded $500,000 in prizes. On June 10, 2026, the Grands Prix Desjardins Gala was held under the honorary presidency of Simon Philibert of Groupe Embargo and hosted by Anaïs Favron. Since 2013, Videotron Business has proudly sponsored the Technological and Technical Innovations category, helping support the growth of entrepreneurs.
Myo Devices won the second national prize at the Grands Prix Desjardins Gala, held at Palais Montcalm in Québec City. Founded in 2025, the Montréal-based company, led by Armand Bahabi and Elya Quesnel, develops a mechanical assistive device that transforms a wheelchair into a complementary at-home rehabilitation station.
A barrier turned into a solution
Elya Quesnel is a pediatric resident physician at CHU Sainte-Justine. Through her work with families whose children use wheelchairs, she has witnessed the complications associated with wheelchair dependence taking hold early in life, as well as the logistical burden that comes with it: appointments, travel, and waiting between therapy sessions.
“I was looking for a practical solution to offer families, one that could fit into their daily lives, and I couldn’t find one,” recalls Elya Quesnel.
Armand Bahabi, co-founder and CEO, holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and brings entrepreneurial experience to the venture. The duo formed by Armand Bahabi and Elya Quesnel complements each other naturally, both in their areas of expertise and in their approach. She brings firsthand clinical knowledge, while he has the background needed to develop the prototypes.
The wheelchair is there every day, beneath the person using it. Why not rethink the question? “We saw the wheelchair as a barrier. We asked ourselves whether it could become the solution,” explains Elya Quesnel.
The image shown is for illustrative purposes only. The final product design, currently under development, may differ from what is depicted.
A much more accessible purely mechanical device
The device, designed to maximize functional recovery, attaches to the wheelchair from the seat all the way to the footrests. It engages the hip, knee, and ankle, enabling stretching and leg strengthening exercises.
Other less expected but highly significant benefits have also emerged: the original footrests can cause injuries for users. Feet strike against them, and skin gets scraped. In addition, the seating lacks ergonomic support. Comfort became a key design requirement.
Existing devices are robotic, complex, and expensive, which limits their use to specialized rehabilitation centres. These devices often require users to transfer out of their wheelchair. With Myo’s solution, the user remains in the chair. “The fact that it is mechanical reduces costs and makes the device suitable for home use,” explains Armand Bahabi. In addition to promoting autonomy and motivation among people with disabilities, one of the company’s key objectives is accessibility. Users will be able to rent the device rather than purchase it.
As part of the next phase of development, a mobile app will accompany users. It will guide them through the exercises to perform and assist them in various ways, including counting repetitions.
The challenges of bringing a product to market
The project originated with children, and the objective— to reach as many wheelchair users as possible—has never changed. After speaking with more than a hundred users, families, and professionals, the duo prioritized the needs and focused the first phase of development on the essential functions in order to validate the solution before expanding it.
The duo met with wheelchair users, caregivers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and physicians, and they made a decision. The MYO devices will first be tested by people who have survived a stroke and retained some degree of mobility. This is the first step to overcome in order to make the ones that follow attainable.
Their ambitious project is supported by the creation of a community. “We understood from the very beginning that we would need people around us,” notes Armand Bahabi. This includes users and clinicians alike, as well as research centres and major financial and technology partners.
The first functional prototype is expected by October 2026. To achieve this, the duo has enlisted the support of consultant Val Florimond and the industrial design firm Punctuate Design. A pilot project will follow before the end of the same year to help guide further iterations. Preliminary commercialization is targeted for 2029, once regulatory approval has been obtained.
This stage will make it possible to gather feedback from the first thirty users in order to optimize the product and deploy it on a larger scale.
Four awards instead of one: catalysts for opportunity
The duo has earned four major distinctions in just seven months:
- The Émergence Grand Prize from L’Impact Millénium Québecor, in November 2025
- The Druide Grand Prize at the Montréal regional gala, in April 2026
- A grant from Esplanade Québec's Science Impact program, in spring 2026
- Second Prize in the Technological and Technical Innovations category, sponsored by Videotron Business, on June 10, 2026
The co-founders say the benefits have been numerous. There is, of course, the visibility, but also the recognition that follows and the people who want to contribute to the venture’s growth. “In Québec, we are fortunate to benefit from an ecosystem rich in programs and opportunities that support the development of young impact-driven businesses like ours,” says Armand Bahabi.
“It takes a village to reach this stage. Eventually, we want to give back to the next people who take the leap,” adds the entrepreneur. The duo now hopes to connect with many users and caregivers willing to provide feedback following their experience with Myo Devices.
OSEntreprendre: your turn!
OSEntreprendre inspires thousands of Quebecers to take the leap into entrepreneurship and showcases their projects across the province. This year, Solutions Clinical Factory distinguished itself alongside Myo Devices among the 2026 award recipients.
If you're hesitating about applying, Elya Quesnel puts it simply: “From the moment you register, there is already something to gain at every stage.” The duo was supported by inspiring entrepreneurs in their network and does not hesitate to recommend the experience.
It may be your turn next to give free rein to your ideas: keep an eye out for the opening of registrations for the 29th edition.
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September 2026, By Videotron Business
