Ecoleader Fund
Objective : The Ecoleader Fund aims to guide and support businesses, NPOs and cooperatives in the integration of eco-responsible business practices and clean technologies.
Initiative and Coordination :
- An initiative of the Quebec government.
- Coordinated by the Quebec Action Fund for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Center québécois de développement durable and Écotech Québec.
Advice and Guidance :
- Network of advisors available in each region of Quebec to guide businesses towards the appropriate resources.
- Contact for advisors: Ecoleader Fund Advisors
Areas of Funded Projects :
- Energetic efficiency
- Residual materials management
- Circular economy
- Strategic sustainable development
- Eco-responsible sourcing
- Greenhouse gas (GHG) management
- Water Management
- Life cycle analysis
- Sustainable building
- Eco conception
- Sustainable mobility
Financing Program :
- Currently on hiatus for an indefinite period.
- Encourages consultation of other sources of funding.
Resources Available :
- Directories and blogs to inspire project ideas and find resources for their implementation.
Program Impacts :
- More than 50,000 companies made aware of the opportunities linked to eco-responsibility.
- More than 1,250 companies financed.
- More than $50 million invested by the Ecoleader Fund and businesses over 3 years.
Partners :
- Quebec City, Quebec Center for Sustainable Development, Ecotech Quebec.
Website : For more information: Ecoleader Fund
This program is particularly relevant for companies seeking to improve their environmental performance, although its financing program is currently on pause. It remains a valuable resource for advice and
orientation towards other eco-responsible financing opportunities.
Regional Economic Growth through Innovation Program (CERI)
Managed by : Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Objective :
- Create favorable conditions for starting and growing businesses in Atlantic Canada.
- Build a strong, dynamic and inclusive economy.
Two Funding Streams :
-
Business Expansion and Productivity :
- Helps businesses accelerate growth and be more productive.
- Repayable, non-guaranteed and interest-free contributions.
- Use of financing for expansion, adoption of new technologies, improvement of productivity, and development of new products and markets.
-
Regional Innovation Ecosystems :
- Finances non-profit organizations that support businesses at all stages of their development.
- Creates regional networks to support growth and innovation.
- Non-refundable contributions for strategic groupings, accelerators, incubators, and other innovative organizations.
Target customers :
- Businesses (including sole proprietorships, partnerships, social enterprises, corporations, cooperatives, Indigenous-owned businesses).
- Non-profit organizations providing services to businesses.
- Post-secondary institutions, accelerators, incubators, investor networks, social enterprises, industry associations or consortia, municipalities, community-owned Indigenous businesses.
Special Support for Indigenous Businesses :
- Additional financing options and flexible repayment for Indigenous youth, women, and community-owned Indigenous businesses.
Application Process :
- Contact the nearest ACOA office to discuss the project and submit a request for financial assistance.
- Business information service available to help start a project.
Contacts :
https://dec.canada.ca/en/financing/programs/
- Telephone: 1-888-576-4444
- Email: Available on the ACOA website
- Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Atlantic)
Search for Previous Financing :
- Ability to search the Open Government Portal for previously granted funding requests using the keyword CERI.
The CERI program is an important initiative to stimulate economic growth in Atlantic Canada, with a focus on innovation and sustainable development. It provides substantial support to businesses and non-profit organizations to promote expansion, productivity, and innovation within regional ecosystems.
ESSOR program
New program coming in April 2024!
Objective : ESSOR is designed to support growing Quebec companies seeking financing for various types of investment projects, particularly those related to clean technologies and internationalization.
Targets :
- Quebec companies and entrepreneurs aiming to accelerate the realization of an investment project.
- Companies seeking to increase their productivity through a technological transition or the acquisition of new technologies.
- Companies wishing to reduce their environmental footprint, in particular through the adoption of clean technologies.
- Companies looking to increase their presence in global supply chains and develop internationalization strategies.
Four Investment Streams :
-
Component 1 - Support for the realization of investment projects :
- Support for feasibility studies and digital diagnosis.
-
Component 2 - Support for investment projects promoting productivity and business expansion :
- Support for businesses to improve their productivity and expansion.
-
Component 3 - Support for investment projects promoting a reduction in the environmental footprint :
- Support for the adoption of technologies and practices that reduce environmental impact.
-
Component 4 - Support for the internationalization of businesses :
- Assistance in internationalization strategies to expand global presence.
The ESSOR program is therefore a versatile and complete solution for Quebec businesses aiming to adapt and grow in the current economic landscape, with particular attention paid to technology, the environment and globalization.
CanExport SME Program
Actual status :
- The program is not currently accepting applications.
- Reopening planned for February 2024 for projects starting in April 2024.
- It is advisable to regularly check the program page for updates.
Objective :
- Helping Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand into global markets.
Funded Activities : The program supports several activities, including:
- Gathering market intelligence.
- Demand for intellectual property protection in international markets.
- Application for certification in international markets.
- Advice of experts in law and commerce.
- Search engine optimization.
- Translation, adaptation or creation of marketing materials.
- Participation in trade shows, networking, meetings or conferences, virtual or in person.
- Visits to foreign markets and participation in trade missions, according to Government of Canada travel advisories.
Eligibility criteria :
- Be a for-profit business.
- Be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability company, or cooperative.
- Have a business number from the Canada Revenue Agency.
- Have fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees.
- Have declared revenues of $100,000 to $100 million in Canada during the last fiscal year.
Search for other Sources of Funding :
- In the meantime, it is recommended to explore other forms of support by using the Business Support Finder to discover other available sources of funding.
The CanExport SME program is therefore an important opportunity for Canadian SMEs seeking to expand their presence in international markets, by providing financial support for various activities related to international expansion.
Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CAN)
Objective : PCAN aims to support Canadian businesses in adopting digital technologies, improving their online presence and digitizing their business operations.
Two Subsidy Streams :
-
Part 1 - Development of Online Commercial Activities :
- Helps businesses improve customer service and attract new customers through e-commerce.
- Eligibility Criteria: For-profit, registered or incorporated, consumer-facing businesses with at least one employee. Commitment to maintaining the digital strategy for six months after the intervention.
- Projects covered: Digital e-commerce plan, search engine optimization, e-commerce platform, web advertising, etc.
- Maximum micro grant: $2,400.
- More details on PCAN Part 1 .
-
Component 2 - Improvement of Business Technologies (THE PCAN COMPONENT 2 GRANT IS OFFICIALLY CLOSED AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 2024):
- Support for Canadian SMEs in the adoption of new digital technologies.
- Eligibility criteria: Private for-profit organizations with 1 to 499 full-time employees and an annual turnover of at least $500,000 over the last three
first fiscal years.
- Grant covers up to 90% of eligible costs for the services of a digital advisor and the development of a digital adoption plan.
- Maximum value of the grant: $15,000 per SME.
- Objective: Implementation of digital tools to digitize and automate business processes.
- More details on PCAN Part 2 .
PCAN is therefore a key initiative for Canadian businesses seeking to engage in digital transformation, offering specific grants for the development of e-commerce and the improvement of business technologies. This program helps modernize business activities and strengthen the online presence of companies, allowing them to remain competitive in the digital economy.
Marketing and Export Support Program (PSCE)
General Objective : The PSCE aims to strengthen the capacities of Quebec businesses in terms of marketing and exporting, through three distinct components.
Three Parts of the Program :
-
Component 1 - Strengthening the Capacity of SMEs in the Quebec Market :
- Goals :
- Promote the integration of businesses into strategic supply chains in Quebec.
- Increase the capacity of companies to respond to calls for tenders from major public contractors in Quebec.
- Target: SMEs aiming to market their products and services on the Quebec market.
- Goals :
-
Component 2 - Strengthening the Export Capacity of SMEs :
- Goals :
- Promote marketing projects for products and services outside Quebec.
- Support the development of external markets for SMEs.
- Target: SMEs seeking to accelerate their projects in markets outside Quebec.
- Goals :
-
Component 3 - Support for Large Companies in International Markets :
- Objective :
- Support the implementation of projects aimed at the internationalization of large companies.
- Target: Large companies aiming to structure themselves on international markets.
- Objective :
This program plays a crucial role in supporting Quebec businesses, from SMEs to large companies, in their marketing and expansion process, both locally and internationally. It aims to strengthen their position in the markets, thus promoting economic growth and business development in Quebec and abroad.
Family-Work Balance Program for Employers
Objective :
- Offer financial assistance to organizations wishing to adopt good practices or take initiatives in terms of family-work balance (CFT).
Two Parts of the Program :
- Part 1 – Support for Employer Procedures:
- Support for employers in adopting CFT best practices within their organization.
- May include the Concilivi Seal of the Réseau pour un Québec Famille or CFT certifications from the Bureau de normalization du Québec (BNQ).
- Three-step process: analysis of the current situation in terms of CFT, development of responses to expressed needs, and evaluation of the measures implemented.
-
Part 2 – Support for Specific Initiatives :
- Support for initiatives promoting the development of knowledge or the experimentation of new practices in CFT.
- May include market studies, research projects, or reviews of best practices in CFT.
- Maximum duration of a project: 10 months
Eligibility :
-
Part 1 :
- Employers with fewer than 500 employees, registered with the Business Registrar, with a Quebec business number and a head office in Quebec (except ministries, government and paragovernmental organizations).
- Includes regional county municipalities (RCMs), municipalities, band councils of indigenous communities, Kativik Regional Administration, and the Cree Nation Government.
-
Part 2 :
- Registered employers with a Quebec business number and a head office in Quebec (except government departments and agencies).
- University educational establishments, non-profit legal entities, MRCs, municipalities, band councils of indigenous communities, Kativik Regional Administration, and Cree Nation Government.
Contact for Support :
- Telephone: 1 855 336-8568
- Email: informations@mfa.gouv.qc.ca
This program aims to encourage and support employers in implementing practices that promote a better balance between professional and family life, thus contributing to a more harmonious and productive work environment.
Workforce Training Program
Objective :
- Improve the competitiveness of Quebec businesses by developing worker skills.
- Increase employee performance and improve staff retention.
Types of Support :
- Technical Assistance : Assistance in defining training needs and evaluating the effectiveness of the training.
- Financial Aid : Subsidy to cover certain training expenses.
Eligibility :
- All employers located in Quebec, with the exception of public bodies and political organizations.
- Eligible organizations: private companies, groups of private companies, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, self-employed workers, band councils.
- Training activities related to the job held or a task required by the employer (for example, training on new equipment or technologies, literacy, general or professional training, etc.).
Types of Eligible Expenses :
- Analysis of training needs.
- Skills assessment.
- Development, adaptation, purchase of training content or educational and didactic materials.
- Assessment tools.
- Trainer fees.
- Indirect costs for trainers (travel, meals, accommodation, etc.).
- Indirect costs for workers in training (travel, meals, accommodation, etc.).
- Costs related to management and administrative activities.
Application Process :
- Contact a business advisor at the Services Québec office in your region.
- Support is offered to analyze needs and propose suitable solutions.
Decision Criteria :
- The decision on the amount of financial assistance and eligible expenses is based on the nature of the project, the needs of the company, budget availability, the sector of activity of the company, as well as regional and national priorities .
This program is designed to support businesses in upskilling their staff, which is essential to remaining competitive in an ever-changing market. It provides financial and technical support for a diverse range of training needs.
NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC PARI)
Integration into the Canadian Innovation Corporation (CIC) :
- NRC IRAP will be integrated into the Canadian Innovation Corporation.
Objective :
- Providing advice, helping to build relationships, and offering financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to innovate and commercialize their ideas.
Services and Support Offered :
-
Consulting Services :
- Access to an extensive network of resources and expertise from Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs).
-
Financial Support for Technological Innovation :
- Financial assistance to support technological innovation by businesses.
-
Support for Hiring Young Graduates :
- Help to hire young talent, providing savings for businesses.
-
Outreach Initiative Grants and Contributions Program :
- Grants to nonprofits and charities to support science or innovation initiatives.
-
International collaboration :
- Assistance to help businesses compete better in the global marketplace.
-
Support for Intellectual Property :
- Intellectual property management services offered by the IP Assistance program.
Commitment to Respect and Non-Harassment :
- NRC's commitment to providing a respectful and harassment-free work environment.
Contact and Feedback :
- Toll-free number: 1-877-994-4727.
- Opportunity to provide feedback and comments to NRC IRAP to improve the service.
This program is essential for Canadian SMEs seeking to innovate and position themselves effectively in the technology economy. It offers comprehensive support, ranging from financial advice to support in the management of intellectual property, including help with the internationalization of businesses.
https://nrc.canada.ca/en/support-technology-innovation
Fund C
Objective : Fund C is designed to support entrepreneurs in their growth projects, with particular emphasis on the creation of quality jobs and regional economic development.
Financial Support :
- Financing percentage : 25% of project costs.
- Maximum Amount : Up to $20,000.
Eligible Project Categories : Fund C covers a wide range of categories for growth projects, including:
- Innovation
- Business succession
- Market and supplier development
- Human ressources
- Sustainable development
- Digital transformation
- Business model optimization
- Cybersecurity
- Governance
Application Process :
- To apply or obtain more information, entrepreneurs must contact their account manager or their Desjardins Business center.
- Link for More Information : Desjardins Business Center - Fonds C
Fund C stands out for its flexibility in terms of eligible project categories, thus providing an opportunity for companies from various sectors to obtain financial support for their growth initiatives.
https://www.desjardins.com/fonds-c/index.jsp
Conclusion
In conclusion, the guide to the best provincial and federal grants for Quebec SMEs in 2024 offers a comprehensive overview of the financing opportunities available to support innovation, growth, training, environmental sustainability and digital transformation. These programs reflect the commitment of the provincial and federal governments to stimulate the economy, promote skills development and encourage the adoption of advanced technologies among SMEs.
To go further, Quebec companies can also be interested in the Digital Transformation Offensive (OTN), a strategic initiative led by the Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy. This offensive aims to accelerate the digital shift of businesses in all sectors of activity and regions of Quebec, to improve competitiveness through the contribution of local networks of expertise, and to mobilize various ministries and partners for concerted action.
The OTN finances targeted collaborative projects of sectoral organizations or networks of expertise that support the digital transformation of companies. The funded projects cover awareness of the importance of digital transformation, support in the planning and implementation of digital projects, and respond to sectoral and multi-sectoral issues.
For interested companies, information on projects funded by the Ministry and contacts for promoting organizations are available, providing a valuable complementary resource to the grants mentioned in this guide.
For more information on the Digital Transformation Offensive and the opportunities it offers, businesses can consult https://www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/objectifs/innover/offensive-de-transformation-numerique/ and contact the organizations promoting Offensive projects. This will allow companies to benefit from personalized support and financing adapted to their digital transformation projects.
This guide, enriched by the OTN initiative, represents an essential resource for Quebec businesses seeking to navigate the landscape of government subsidies and supports in 2024. It highlights the importance of innovation and adaptation digital as key drivers of growth and commercial success.
