Maude Pelletier, a determined entrepreneur

More than ever, women are playing a leading role in the business world. In fact, according to a study published in La Presse in 2021, 64.8% of new SME entrepreneurs are women, compared to 51.4% only five years ago. Recently, we had the chance to speak with Maude Pelletier, a woman who continues to innovate in the world of entrepreneurship.

The rise of this entrepreneur

Seven years ago, already a geomorphologist with a passion for remote sensing tools specialized in LiDAR and aerial image acquisition and geomatics deliverables, Maude decided to exploit the intriguing combination of UAVs and LiDAR sensors in remote areas. The following year, she founded MVT Geo-Solutions which, as Maude explains, acquires high-precision, high-resolution geospatial data for topographic mapping purposes such as change detection, contour lines, digital elevation models, CAD drafting, and more.

The birth of the business

Balko Technologies is the proud manufacturer of the world’s first and easiest to use modular survey LiDAR for drones. In other words, a sensor takes 3D measurements of the topography of a terrain or human infrastructure. Embedded in a drone, these sensors send light beams and calculate the return speed of the beams, thus allowing the georeferencing of the physical elements that make up a landscape.

The joys of entrepreneurship

According to Maude, being in charge is one of the benefits of starting a business: being able to direct projects and make the final decisions. That way, she becomes her own source of approval; she doesn’t have to wait for others’ permission to start projects and there are no limits to what she can do.

The advantages of being a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry

For many women, venturing into a predominantly male industry can be challenging. For Maude, this challenge was rather an opportunity to take advantage of being a minority. People’s curiosity about her role as a woman made her name stick out in the field. A woman in science and technology and an entrepreneur would inevitably leave a mark.

Advice from an entrepreneurial pro

“Go for it, stay focused, stay calm and force yourself to step back!” These are the tips that our geomatics entrepreneur provides. Starting a business is undoubtedly full of ups and downs. According to Maude, staying calm in the face of difficult times is a crucial quality for success in thinking outside the box. 

Managing emotions is never easy, and mountain biking and skiing are our entrepreneur’s favorite stress management methods. For example, at Middle, lofi music helps us stay calm through all the chaos. Here’s a link to our favorite playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qap5aO4i9A 

Interested in entrepreneurship? Visit our blog to discover the portraits of other incredible women entrepreneurs!