APDIQ and OOTI join forces to support the growth of Interior Design firms

A new strategic collaboration is taking shape within Quebec’s interior design community. The Association professionnelle des designers d’intérieur du Québec (APDIQ) has partnered with OOTI to help small interior design firms strengthen their business structure and build sustainable growth starting in 2026.

This partnership was celebrated in Montreal at Atelier Monarque’s offices, alongside Kollectif, with whom we co-created a podcast (Balado) dedicated to the challenges and realities of architecture and design. A warm and inspiring moment that reflects the spirit of this collaboration and our shared ambition to bring the community together and create spaces for dialogue around practices, career paths, and the profession’s evolving landscape.
‍

Supporting structure beyond creativity

Many small design studios face similar challenges: balancing creative work with administrative, financial, and operational responsibilities. This partnership aims to address that reality by providing firms with practical tools and guidance to better understand, organize, and manage their internal operations.

The initiative focuses on empowering designers not only as creatives, but also as business owners, helping them gain clearer visibility into project performance, profitability, and decision-making.

A six-month technology and management cohort

At the heart of the collaboration is the launch of a six-month technology support cohort, designed specifically for APDIQ member firms with fewer than five employees. Set to begin in February 2026, the program will combine:

• Group workshops focused on best practices in project and business management
• Personalized one-on-one support, using real firm data to analyze workflows, financial health, and operational efficiency

OOTI will serve as the central tool throughout the program : not simply as software, but as a foundation for structuring daily operations. From time tracking and billing to project monitoring and profitability analysis, the platform enables firms to gain a clearer, more actionable view of their business.
‍

Tangible benefits for participating firms

Selected firms will receive:

• Free access to OOTI licenses for six months, allowing them to fully explore and integrate the platform
• A 50% discount for the following six months, supporting long-term adoption and continuity

In addition, APDIQ members who are not selected for the cohort as well as architecture firms that include at least one APDIQ member will still be eligible for an exclusive 10% discount on OOTI licenses.
‍

A partnership aligned with the industry’s reality

For APDIQ, this initiative reinforces its commitment to supporting members beyond design excellence, by helping them build resilient and well-structured businesses. For OOTI, the partnership reflects its mission to provide a solution designed by and for professionals in the built environment.

Together, APDIQ and OOTI aim to equip interior design firms with the clarity, structure, and confidence needed to grow sustainably in an increasingly complex professional landscape.