Discover Grants & Funding for Commercialization in Quebec for 2025

Grants for marketing in Quebec: A boost for the digital shift. Marketing grants in Quebec offer businesses a financial boost to accelerate their digital transformation and increase their market presence. In an environment where competitiveness increasingly depends on digital marketing and the adoption of technological tools, this financial aid enables Quebec companies—especially SMEs—to invest strategically in their growth. A growing number of marketing grant programs are available, at both the provincial and federal levels, to support projects like Web referencing (SEO), website creation or redesign, online advertising campaigns, e-commerce solution implementation, etc. In other words, there's a whole range of Quebec marketing grants that can lighten the cost of your digital marketing and business development initiatives.

Why Get a Marketing Grant for Your Business?

Using a marketing grant offers several significant advantages for businesses looking to grow:

• Reduce costs and financial risks: The main benefit of a Quebec marketing grant is sharing project costs with the granting organization. For example, a program that covers 50% of eligible expenses can halve the investment for the business. This significantly reduces financial risk, which can encourage the launch of ambitious projects (new digital campaigns, website redesigns, international SEO strategies, etc.) that might not be undertaken otherwise.

• Accelerate digital transformation: Grants act as a lever for adopting innovative technologies or strategies more quickly. The digital shift has accelerated in recent years, and most businesses must adapt to stay competitive. A grant can help fund digital marketing tools or expertise (like implementing an e-commerce platform or optimizing natural search ranking) sooner than planned, giving you a head start on the competition.

• Increase marketing reach and exports: Several Quebec marketing funding programs specifically aim to help businesses penetrate new markets. They offer support for activities like international promotion, translating marketing materials, or participating in trade shows. These marketing grants then become a catalyst for external growth by facilitating entry into markets outside Quebec or abroad.

• Improve campaign return on investment (ROI): By subsidizing a portion of the expenses (expert marketing fees, online advertising purchases, web content development, etc.), these programs automatically increase ROI. The reduced financial burden means results (visibility, lead generation, online sales) can be generated at a lower net cost to the business. In other words, a Quebec SEO grant or a Quebec website grant can significantly improve the return on every dollar invested in digital marketing.

• Encourage planning and rigor: To get a grant, you generally have to build a strong application with a structured marketing plan, clear objectives, and a detailed budget. This preparation exercise is beneficial in itself, as it forces the business to clarify its marketing strategy and success metrics. Additionally, many granting organizations require post-project follow-ups or reports, which encourages measuring results and learning from the experience.

In short, using marketing grants offers a dual advantage: it reduces the cost of your strategic initiatives and maximizes the impact of your digital marketing and commercialization efforts. It’s an opportunity to do more, faster, by mobilizing public or private funds dedicated to the development of Quebec businesses.

Key Marketing Grant Programs in Quebec

Several flagship programs, both governmental and private, offer grants to support marketing, commercialization, and digital transformation for businesses in Quebec. This section provides an overview of the most important available grants, their objectives, covered expenses, and eligibility criteria. These marketing grant programs include the PSCE Quebec, the CanExport SMEs program, the Desjardins C Fund, the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)-Quebec, as well as innovation and commercialization aids. Each has its specific features, but all aim to provide strategic Quebec marketing funding.

Program to Support Commercialization and Exports (PSCE Quebec)

The PSCE is a major provincial program in Quebec that supports marketing and market development efforts. With a substantial budget ($200 million according to some sources), it has three distinct components to tailor financial aid to the company's size and objectives:

• Component 1 – Quebec Market: Aims to increase the capacity of SMEs to commercialize their products and services in the Quebec market.

• Component 2 – Markets outside Quebec: Aims to increase the export capacity of SMEs and support their projects in external markets (Canada outside Quebec, international).

• Component 3 – Large businesses: Reserved for companies with a turnover of over $100 million, to support structuring projects in international markets.

Eligibility: Legally incorporated SMEs (for-profit) with an establishment in Quebec are eligible for Components 1 and 2, provided they have an annual turnover of less than $100 million. Non-financial cooperatives and social economy enterprises are also eligible for these components. Component 3 is for large businesses (>$100M turnover). Important: Some business sectors are not eligible—for example, businesses related to gambling, arms production, etc., are excluded from the program. It's crucial to check the list of excluded sectors before submitting an application.

Covered expenses: The PSCE funds a range of projects related to marketing and commercialization, including digital. For example, the program covers the development and implementation of marketing strategies, including digital strategies for foreign markets, the development of promotional tools, and advertising expenses in targeted markets. Also eligible are professional fees for specialized services, whether for developing a marketing plan, conducting a commercial diagnostic, or preparing an export-oriented business plan. In short, whether it's designing an advertising campaign for Quebec or a digital marketing plan for abroad, the PSCE can fund a portion of it.

Financial aid granted: The PSCE grant covers 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $250,000 per project, typically over a maximum period of 12 months. This means that for a project with, for example, $300,000 in eligible expenses, the maximum aid would be capped at $250,000 (and not $150,000, as the cap takes precedence over the 50% calculation). The exact amount granted will depend on the project's scope and the evaluation by the Ministry of Economy and Innovation.

In summary, the PSCE Quebec is a versatile marketing grant for businesses that want to either strengthen their presence in the local market or conquer foreign markets. It is a program to know about first if your business wants to partially finance a marketing strategy, international SEO, participation in trade shows outside Quebec, or any other structuring business development initiative.

CanExport SMEs Program – For International Marketing

The CanExport SMEs program is a federal initiative that provides funding to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises wishing to develop export markets. In other words, CanExport SMEs can be seen as a marketing grant oriented toward internationalization, helping businesses deploy promotion and sales efforts outside Canada. Many digital marketing activities are eligible, making it a valuable tool for Quebec SMEs in the internationalization phase.

Eligibility: Eligible businesses are for-profit companies registered in Canada (including incorporated companies, cooperatives, etc.) that have fewer than 500 employees and whose annual revenues are between $100,000 and $100 million in the last fiscal year. You must also have a Canada Revenue Agency business number. This minimum revenue criterion ($100,000) is to ensure the business has a sufficient base to undertake the export project (since the funding is partial). CanExport SMEs really targets growing SMEs capable of co-financing foreign market development activities.

Covered expenses: The CanExport program covers a variety of initiatives related to international marketing and the digital transformation needed for exporting. Eligible expenses include:

• Fees for consultants or experts in digital marketing and e-commerce, to adapt your strategy to the target market;

• Search engine optimization (SEO) projects to increase the company's visibility in target markets;

• Online advertising campaigns (on social media, search engines, or online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, etc.) to promote your products/services internationally;

• The translation, adaptation, or creation of marketing materials (multilingual websites, local brochures, subtitled promotional videos, etc.) to better reach the local clientele in the target country.

Clearly, whether you're hiring an agency for international digital marketing, improving your site's foreign language search ranking, or running Google/Facebook ads abroad, CanExport SMEs can fund half of the costs.

Financial aid granted: CanExport SMEs offers a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs, typically between $10,000 and $50,000 per project. The minimum funding of $10,000 suggests the project must involve at least $20,000 in eligible expenses (since 50% of $20,000 = $10,000). The maximum $50,000 grant will be reached for any project with an eligible budget of $100,000 or more. Note that this program works on a reimbursement basis: the business must front the costs, carry out the activities (e.g., the marketing campaign), then submit supporting documents to get the grant portion reimbursed. It's therefore important to plan your cash flow accordingly.

In short, CanExport SMEs is a valuable tool for SMEs that want to conquer new markets. This grant alleviates the marketing costs inherent in exporting (market studies, international SEO, local advertising, etc.) and increases your chances of success abroad. In addition, the program allows Quebec businesses to take full advantage of global e-commerce opportunities while sharing the financial risks with the federal government.

Desjardins C Fund – Digital Marketing and Innovation Accelerator

The Desjardins C Fund (sometimes called the Momentum Fund) is a corporate grant program launched by the Desjardins Group. Unlike government grants, this is a private initiative aimed at creating quality jobs and stimulating economic development in Quebec. Specifically, the C Fund offers funding in the form of a grant to help businesses grow, with an emphasis on several components including innovation, entrepreneurial succession, foreign market development, business model transformation, and—of interest here—digital transformation and e-commerce. For an SME looking to improve its digital marketing or web presence, the Desjardins C Fund can therefore be seen as a complementary source of Quebec marketing funding to public programs.

Eligibility: The C Fund doesn't impose a closed list of criteria like government programs do, but your project must fit into one of the 9 components funded by the fund. These components cover technological innovation, market development (export), digital transformation, etc. It is recommended to contact a Desjardins Business Centre to discuss your project and validate its eligibility. In practice, businesses that are Desjardins clients or have a Desjardins advisor will likely find it easier to submit an application. The C Fund primarily targets Quebec SMEs with structuring projects; each case is studied individually.

Covered expenses: The range of projects supported by the C Fund is quite broad, as long as it contributes to the company's growth through one of the targeted components. For the digital transformation and online marketing component, examples of eligible expenses/projects include:

• The implementation of a significant technological advancement (e.g., integration of a marketing CRM, a marketing automation platform, etc.);

• The implementation of new digital processes to support continuous innovation in the organization;

• The creation or optimization of a secure online sales site (e.g., deploying an e-commerce store and secure payment processes);

• The implementation of cybersecurity measures to protect online activities;

• The increase of online sales through improvements to the conversion rate or user experience;

• The transformation of the business model via digital means (e.g., moving from a purely physical model to an online hybrid model).

In short, expenses related to a digital marketing, e-commerce, or technological modernization project could be eligible, provided the project clearly contributes to the company's development. There is no published exhaustive list: Desjardins evaluates on a case-by-case basis whether the project deserves financial support.

Financial aid granted: The C Fund covers 25% of the project cost, up to a maximum of $10,000 per business. In other words, for a digital transformation project of $40,000, the aid would reach the $10,000 ceiling (since 25% of $40,000 = $10,000). For a smaller project, say $8,000, the C Fund would cover $2,000. Even if the amounts are more modest than some government grants, this Desjardins support is not insignificant for financing digital marketing or web improvements, especially since it is a flexible and complementary fund: nothing prevents combining the C Fund with a public program for the same project, as long as the expenses are not funded twice.

In conclusion, the Desjardins C Fund stands out as an agile financial partner for SMEs that want to invest in digital marketing, e-commerce, or innovation. Its more personalized process can be less administratively burdensome, and it's an excellent opportunity for Desjardins client businesses to get an additional marketing grant while benefiting from their financial institution's support.

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)-Quebec

The CDAP is a federal program launched to encourage SMEs to increase their online presence, adopt digital technologies, and modernize their business operations. Available throughout Canada, it naturally applies to businesses in Quebec (it is sometimes referred to as "CDAP-Quebec" for the portion implemented in the province). This program actually offers two distinct grant components: one focused on online business development (e-commerce), and the other on improving the company's technologies (broader digital transformation). These two components can be seen as grants for websites in Quebec and for digital planning, respectively, and are a valuable tool for any SME wanting to make a successful digital shift.

• Component 1: "Grow Your Business Online" – Micro-grant for SMEs This first component aims to help small retail or service businesses establish an effective e-commerce presence. It primarily targets retail stores, restaurants, and small local businesses looking to sell online.

  • Eligibility: You must be a for-profit business (sole proprietorship or incorporated) registered and aimed at consumers (B2C). The business must have at least one employee (other than the owner) and provide goods or services directly to customers (in person or online). Additionally, it must commit to maintaining its digital strategy for at least 6 months after receiving the grant. This component therefore targets small local businesses that have not yet fully embraced e-commerce.

  • Covered expenses: CDAP Component 1 funds concrete projects for setting up e-commerce. For example: the implementation of an online booking or ordering system, the addition of an electronic payment solution to your site, the installation of an online store platform (e.g., Shopify, Magento), the optimization of your website's search ranking (SEO) to attract more traffic, the purchase of web advertising to promote the new platform, or access to consulting services to support the e-commerce strategy. In other words, anything that helps a small business sell online or attract customers on the web can be eligible.

  • Financial aid: This is a micro-grant of up to $2,400 per business. This amount may seem modest, but it is intended to cover specific expenses, such as a one-year subscription to an e-commerce platform and a few hundred dollars in digital advertising, or the cost of a developer to add an online sales feature to your site. The advantage is that the process is simplified and relatively fast, via local service providers mandated to distribute these micro-grants. It is often not necessary to pay in advance and then be reimbursed; in some cases, the service provider can directly provide the subsidized service.

• Component 2: "Boost Your Business Technology" – Grant for a Digital Plan The second component of the CDAP aims to support more established SMEs in adopting advanced digital technologies and planning their transformation. Here, the idea is not to directly fund the purchase of equipment or software, but rather to help develop a digital plan through specialized advice.

  • Eligibility: This component is for slightly larger businesses: you must be incorporated (federally or provincially) or a sole proprietor residing in Canada, have between 1 and 499 employees, and have generated annual revenues of at least $500,000 in one of the last three years. These criteria ensure that the business has a sufficient scale to undertake a larger-scale technology project.

  • Covered expenses: Essentially, this program funds the development of a digital adoption plan for the business. This includes hiring the services of a digital expert advisor (consultant) who will analyze needs, recommend technological solutions (CRM, ERP, marketing automation, etc.), and produce a detailed plan. The program can also partially support the acquisition of new technologies identified in the plan, but its core is really the advice and strategy aspect. It is a consultation process to build a solid digital transformation project.

  • Financial aid: The grant covers up to 90% of the digital consultant's fees, up to a maximum of $15,000 per SME. In practice, the federal government pays the consultant (or reimburses the business) up to 90% of their invoice, leaving only 10% for the business to pay. For example, for a digital plan mandate invoiced at $16,500, the aid would cover $14,850 (90%) and the business would only pay $1,650. This generous boost is intended to encourage SMEs to plan their transformation with experts, without the cost being a deterrent. Note that this component of the CDAP also provides access, once the plan is completed, to an interest-free loan (via BDC) of up to $100,000 to implement the recommendations—however, the loan is not a grant, so it is repayable, but it is a supplement to be aware of.

In summary, the CDAP offers Quebec businesses two distinct tools to improve their digital marketing and technological capacity: a small Quebec website grant to launch e-commerce, and a more substantial grant to plan a large-scale digital transformation. These aids, combined, can guide a traditional SME from its first steps online to the full integration of digital into its business model.

Innovation Program – Grant for Innovation and Commercialization

The Quebec government's Innovation Program is a measure aimed at supporting businesses—especially SMEs—in carrying out innovative projects and commercializing their innovations. It can be seen as an innovation grant for the commercialization of new products or services. If your marketing project is part of the launch of an innovation (for example, the market launch of a new technology, or the adaptation of an existing product to a new market), this program might be right for you. While not exclusively focused on digital marketing, it covers the essential commercialization component for an innovation to find its audience.

Eligibility: This program is quite broad. For-profit businesses from all sectors (with exceptions like gambling) as well as social economy enterprises are eligible. It's important that the submitted project concerns an innovation project (technological or otherwise) with a market launch aspect. Unlike other grants, the Innovation Program does not impose a revenue or employee threshold: even a young innovative company can benefit, provided it presents a solid project.

Covered expenses: The program supports innovation projects from the planning stage to pre-commercialization. This includes, for example:

• Research and development work leading to a new product or process;

• Technological compliance of a product to meet standards or norms of the target industry;

• Technological adaptations to target markets (e.g., modifying software for an English version for the American market);

• Development work related to the commercialization of an innovative product or service (e.g., manufacturing a limited series to test the market, creating a technological showcase).

Thus, directly eligible marketing expenses could include conducting market studies, designing promotional materials to launch the innovative product, or participating in a specialized trade show to promote it, if these activities are integrated into the commercialization strategy of the innovation. The guiding idea is to facilitate the transition from an innovative idea to the market, by sharing the costs of these crucial stages.

Financial aid granted: The Innovation Program can cover up to 50% of the total project expenses. The aid granted is generally between $50,000 and $350,000 depending on the project's scope. This is not a random range: in practice, $50,000 is often the minimum for a small local innovation project, while $350,000 would be the maximum allocated to a major project mobilizing $700,000 or more in expenses. Between these two extremes, the exact percentage and amount will depend on the evaluation of the application (the government could, for example, finance 40% of a large project rather than 50%). Note that this grant, managed by the Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy, can sometimes be combined with other programs if different phases of the project justify it, but anti-stacking rules apply so as not to fund the same expense twice.

In short, the Innovation Program offers an ideal commercialization grant for businesses that innovate. If your marketing strategy is part of the launch of a new innovative product or service, this aid can finance a significant portion of it, reducing the financial burden of the initial market launch. It is a program to consider for any technological or innovative company in Quebec looking to move from prototype to sold product, including the marketing needed to convince the first customers.

Other Grant Programs to Consider

In addition to the flagship programs presented above, there are other grant or funding initiatives that can support your marketing and digital projects in Quebec. Here are a few notable examples:

• ESSOR (Investissement Québec): A provincial program aimed at supporting business investment and growth projects. Among its components, several concern digital transformation and productivity increase. For example, ESSOR can finance the realization of digital diagnostics, the implementation of digital plans, or expansion projects including at least $100,000 in eligible expenses. The financial aid can take the form of a non-repayable contribution covering up to 50% of expenses (typical cap of $100,000), or a loan or loan guarantee depending on the project. ESSOR is more for established businesses planning significant investments, and each project is analyzed with Investissement Québec.

• Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI): This federal program, managed by Canada Economic Development, aims to stimulate business innovation and productivity in the regions. It can support projects for commercializing new technologies or adopting innovative technologies to grow. The aid often takes the form of a non-repayable contribution of around 40% of eligible expenses, for example up to $50,000 per project. REGI primarily targets SMEs in the regions and excludes certain sectors such as traditional retail or restaurants.

• SMEs in Action – Productivity Support Component: Another Quebec program which, although focused on manufacturing productivity at first glance, includes digital transformation in eligible projects. It can thus finance part of a project to implement CRM/ERP software or marketing automation aimed at increasing the company's efficiency. The aid is generally a non-interest-bearing repayable contribution of up to 50% of authorized costs (which is more like an interest-free loan than a direct grant).

• Regional and sectoral funds: Several regional or sectoral funds offer ad hoc aid for marketing or digital. For example, the "Digital Shift" measure from the Quebec Retail Council (CQCD) aims to support small retailers in adopting e-commerce. Similarly, local funds like the Regional and Rurality Fund (FRR) from certain RCMs can support commercialization projects in rural areas. It is therefore useful to check for programs specific to your region or sector of activity.

While these programs etc. are not detailed in depth here, remember that there is a multitude of funding options adapted to various needs. The following comparative table summarizes the essential characteristics of the main Quebec marketing grant programs discussed in this article.

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Practical Tips to Maximize Your Chances of Getting a Grant

Getting one of these grants is a competitive process that requires good preparation. Here are some practical tips to put all the chances on your side when applying for a grant:

• Choose the right program: Identify the grant that is most aligned with the nature of your project. Each program has its objectives (export, digital, innovation…)—it is crucial to target the one whose criteria best match your needs. Read the official descriptions and don't hesitate to contact program advisors to validate your eligibility. As HelloDarwin points out, there are many programs, and finding the one that best suits your business is the first step to success. A well-targeted grant means a more relevant and therefore more convincing application.

• Prepare a solid and detailed application: Treat the grant application as a real project. Write a business plan or a proposal that clearly describes the marketing project you want to carry out, its objectives, and how it will contribute to the company's growth. Accurately budget the eligible expenses (fees, material, advertising, etc.) and attach quotes if possible. The clearer and more justified your budget is, the more the organization will trust your seriousness. Highlight the expected benefits: e.g., "30% increase in web traffic through SEO," "access to 3 new export markets," or "creation of 2 marketing jobs." You must demonstrate that the grant will have a concrete impact.

• Follow the criteria and terms to the letter: This may seem obvious, but many applications are rejected for administrative reasons. Ensure that all eligibility criteria are met (company size, sector, financial caps...). Provide all required documents (financial statements, proof of incorporation, business number, etc.). Respect the submission formats and deadlines. If the program has an applicant's guide, read it in its entirety and follow its instructions point by point. An incomplete or off-topic application will be quickly discarded.

• Highlight the alignment with the program's objectives: Personalize your application by using the program's language. For example, if you are applying for PSCE Component 2 (export), emphasize how your marketing strategy targets markets outside Quebec and contributes to increasing Quebec exports. For CanExport, explain how your project will increase the company's international competitiveness. Each program has its raison d'être: show that your project serves this mission. It can be useful to reuse some of the keywords from the call for projects in your text.

• Pay attention to presentation and writing: Adopt a formal and professional tone in your application (just like in this article). Avoid overly technical jargon that is not explained. Your application must be convincing in both substance and form, as it reflects the seriousness of your business. Have the document proofread to eliminate errors and inconsistencies. A well-spaced layout, with clear headings (similar to the use of H2/H3 in this article), will make it easier for evaluators to find key information.

• Anticipate financing and cash flow: Remember that most grants work by partially reimbursing expenses. This means you must be able to front all or part of the costs. Make sure you have financial leeway (savings, line of credit, bridge loan) to start the project as soon as you get the approval. A side tip is to meticulously keep all your receipts and invoices, as they will need to be submitted to get the reimbursement.

• Seek help and mentorship: Don't face the process alone if you have doubts. In Quebec, there are organizations and resources to help with grant applications. For example, CLDs/CECs (Local Development Centres / Export Centres), local chambers of commerce, or specialized consultants can guide you. Organizations offer mentoring services and advice to help businesses develop solid business plans and prepare grant applications. Taking advantage of these resources can make the difference between an average application and a winning one.

• Submit as early as possible: Many programs operate with annual budgets or project call periods. Funds can be limited: first come, first served. As soon as your project is ready, don't wait until the last minute to submit. If there is a deadline, aim to submit well in advance to avoid any last-minute technical problems. By submitting early, you also show your motivation and may be able to reapply a second time if, by bad luck, the first attempt fails and the program is renewed.

• Have a Plan B: Finally, keep in mind that a grant is not an entitlement. Even with a good application, competition or hidden criteria may mean your project will not be funded. Do not bet your company's survival on getting the grant. Prepare an alternative solution (a more modest project, another funder, or phasing the project) just in case. This will allow you to approach the application with more serenity, and paradoxically, to build a more convincing application by showing that the project can move forward anyway but would go much further with the requested aid.

By applying these tips, you maximize your chances of joining the ranks of businesses that have successfully taken advantage of the marketing grants offered in Quebec. Every year, many SMEs successfully obtain funding for their SEO, website, marketing strategy, or international expansion projects—why not yours? With a methodical and proactive approach, your business could also benefit from one of these grants and give a real boost to its digital marketing and growth.

Conclusion

Quebec offers a rich environment of marketing grant programs, reflecting the importance placed on digital transformation and the development of local businesses on the national and international stage. Whether through support from the provincial government (like the PSCE or the Innovation Program), the federal government (CanExport SMEs, CDAP), or private initiatives (Desjardins C Fund), Quebec businesses have access to a range of financial aids for marketing to bring their projects to fruition. These grants can significantly lighten the cost of projects such as website SEO optimization, launching an online store, or an export marketing campaign, while also encouraging managers to plan their success rigorously.The impact of such a boost should not be underestimated: in many cases, getting a marketing grant makes the difference by allowing a business to achieve in one year what would have taken three years without aid. For Quebec entrepreneurs, the opportunity is there to be seized. Learn about the criteria, build strong applications by highlighting your ambitions, and get started. The path to grants may seem complex at first, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By combining strategic vision, sustained effort, and external financial support, your business can develop its digital marketing with confidence and reach new heights in the Quebec market and beyond.