Business Growth — Productivity and automation
Ville de Québec, QC, Canada
Support businesses in enhancing productivity and addressing labor shortages through advanced technologies such as automation and robotics.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJuly 09, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Quebec City
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
This grant aims to support businesses in enhancing productivity and addressing labor shortages through advanced technologies like automation and robotics. Eligible projects include the acquisition of production equipment with a strong digital component or operational technologies that significantly improve productivity. Private incorporated businesses and social economy enterprises conducting commercial activities are eligible, with financial contributions of up to $500,000 for manufacturing projects and up to $100,000 for other sectors, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
grant_single_labels|projects
Yes, there are projects and activities eligible for this grant.
Eligible projects include the acquisition of advanced technological equipment to enhance productivity and address labor shortages. Here is a list of potential eligible activities:
- An enterprise implements new connected production equipment to improve productivity.
- A restaurant acquires an automated dough mixer to replace two work positions.
- A manufacturer acquires a palletizing robot to double production capacity while enhancing existing job tasks.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$50,000
Edmonton
Implementing a smart irrigation system on a commercial farm to optimize water usage
$137,500
Mississauga
Installation of intelligent conveyor systems to enhance sorting at a logistics center
$85,000
Toronto
Implementing a robotic arm to enhance production efficiency at an automotive parts manufacturer
$75,000
Vancouver
Implementing a palletizing robot to streamline operations at a beverage manufacturing plant
$100,000
Calgary
Acquisition of automated packaging equipment to boost capacity at a food processing plant
$67,500
Montreal
Installing automated dough mixers to improve efficiency in a large-scale bakery
grant_single_labels|admissibility
This grant is designed to support businesses in improving their productivity using advanced technologies like automation and robotics. The eligibility criteria are outlined below:
- Private incorporated businesses.
- Social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) engaged predominantly in commercial activities.
- Individually-owned businesses and partnerships majorly owned by Indigenous people located in Wendake.
- Located within the agglomeration of Québec (cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L'Ancienne-Lorette) and Wendake.
- Businesses from sectors such as agro-food, digital arts, fintech, AI, smart city technologies, optics-photonics, life sciences, green technologies, and certain strategic sectors like manufacturing and tourism.
- Projects must have a minimum eligible expenditure of $75,000.
- For manufacturing sector projects: acquisition of production equipment with a significant digital component, supported by an industry 4.0 digital plan.
- For other sectors: acquisition of production, operational equipment, or technologies addressing labor productivity issues.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The grant is available for private incorporated companies and social economy enterprises majorly engaged in commercial activities.
- Private Incorporated Companies
- Social Economy Enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) with majority commercial activities
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Certain types of companies are not eligible for this grant.
- Concessionaires of vehicles
- Retailers of automotive parts
- Service stations
- Collaborative tourist accommodations (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away)
- Businesses operating exclusively online
- Social economy enterprises (OBNL and cooperatives) that do not demonstrate sound democratic governance
- Applicants not discharged from bankruptcy judgment
- Companies listed on the Register of businesses ineligible for public contracts
- Applicants who have failed to meet obligations related to previous financial aid from the City of Quebec within the past two years
- Applicants with debts to the City of Quebec
- Projects with discriminatory, controversial, or negatively impactful imagery for the City of Quebec
- One-time or event-based projects
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include costs associated with professional fees, consulting services, studies, and purchases or leases of goods, equipment, and assets related to the project.
- Professional fees
- Consulting services
- Studies
- Purchases of goods and equipment
- Leases of goods and equipment
- Purchases of project-related assets
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zones for this grant are specific areas within the Agglomeration of Québec and Wendake. Projects must be located in the cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette, or Wendake.
- Québec
- Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
- L’Ancienne-Lorette
- Wendake
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Ensure Eligibility
- Verify that your business is a private incorporated company or an economy social enterprise (OBNL or cooperative) with a majority of commercial activities.
- Confirm that your business operates in an eligible sector and meets the specific exclusions outlined for the grant.
- Step 2: Prepare Project Plan
- Develop a structured project plan that includes the acquisition of production equipment with a significant digital component or other advanced technology aimed at improving productivity and addressing workforce challenges.
- If applying under the “industrial 4.0” category, ensure that your project follows a digital industry 4.0 blueprint and has a positive recommendation.
- Ensure that the project has a minimum of $75,000 in admissible expenses.
- Step 3: Gather Required Documentation
- Collect all necessary financial documents, business plans, and other supporting materials as specified in the application form.
- Step 4: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the official funding application form, ensuring that all sections are completed accurately and thoroughly.
- Include detailed information to demonstrate the need for financial assistance, the expected outcomes, and the feasibility of the project.
- Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit the substantially complete and compliant application form with all supporting documents to the specified address or online portal.
- Step 6: Wait for Approval
- After submission, wait for the evaluation and decision-making process by the City of Québec authorities.
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarification if requested.
- Step 7: Receive Funding and Implement Project
- Upon approval, receive the grant funding and commence the implementation of your project according to the approved plan.
- Ensure compliance with all terms and conditions specified by the grant provider.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant offers financial support to businesses aiming to improve productivity through advanced technology. The conditions and specific requirements for eligibility vary depending on the type of project and the sector.
- Minimum project cost: $75,000 in eligible expenses.
- Eligible applicants include private incorporated businesses and social economy enterprises.
- Project types include acquiring production equipment with a strong digital component and projects addressing productivity and workforce challenges.
- Industries included: manufacturing, food processing, digital arts, clean technologies, and more.
- Excluded sectors: vehicle dealerships, auto parts retailers, gas stations, and collaborative tourism accommodations.
- Location: Projects must be in the Québec agglomeration (Québec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette) or Wendake.
- Maximum financial support: $500,000 per project for manufacturing sector projects, $100,000 for other sectors, with funding covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
- The grant application period is open continuously.
Apply to this program
Grant for Productivity and Automation
This grant program aims to support businesses in improving productivity and addressing labor shortages through the use of advanced technology like automation and robotics. Eligible businesses can receive financial contributions up to $500,000 depending on their project scope and sector.
Detailed Explanation of the Grant for Productivity and Automation
The Productivity and Automation Grant is designed to assist businesses in addressing their productivity challenges and labor shortages by integrating cutting-edge technologies. This initiative focuses on fostering industrial automation, robotics, and other advanced technological solutions to enhance operational efficiency and output. The program recognizes that in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape, companies must adapt to maintain their competitive edge and meet market demands.
Overview of the Grant
The grant offers substantial financial support to businesses, particularly those in the manufacturing sector. The key aspects include:
- Maximum contribution of $500,000 per project for manufacturing businesses, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
- Maximum contribution of $100,000 per project for businesses in other sectors, also covering up to 50% of eligible expenses.
- Focus on acquiring production equipment with strong digital components.
- Requires projects to be part of a structured plan aimed at achieving Industry 4.0 objectives.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a privately incorporated business or a social economy enterprise (including nonprofits and cooperatives) engaged predominantly in market-based activities.
- Individually owned enterprises and partnershipsmajority-owned by Indigenous persons and located in Wendake are also eligible.
- Eligible projects include those that aim to increase productivity through the use of advanced technologies such as automation and robotics.
- Capital expenditures must include at least $75,000 in eligible expenses.
Ineligible Applicants and Projects
Certain applicants and projects are excluded from this grant program, such as:
- Vehicle dealerships, auto parts retailers, gas stations, and collaborative tourist accommodations like Airbnb or HomeAway.
- Social economy enterprises that cannot demonstrate sound democratic governance.
- Applicants with unresolved bankruptcy judgments or those listed on the Register of Unsuitable Public Contract Businesses.
- Projects of a discriminatory nature, those that may generate controversy, or pose a negative image risk for the City of Quebec.
- Event-specific projects.
Eligible Sectors and Project Examples
The grant prioritizes specific sectors and types of projects, including but not limited to:
- Agro-food, food processing, and health foods.
- Digital arts and interactive entertainment, fintech, AI, smart city technologies, and other digital products and technologies (excluding services and consulting).
- Optics-photonics, measurement and control technologies, advanced electronics.
- Life sciences, biotechnologies, and health technologies.
- Clean technologies: water, air, soil treatment, ecomobility, energy efficiency, renewable energies, green chemistry, waste management, enabling technologies, and sustainable development.
Specific Example Projects
Examples of successful initiatives that could qualify for this grant include:
- A manufacturing company implementing a new connected production equipment to enhance productivity.
- A restaurant acquiring an automated mixer-kneader to replace two human workers.
- A manufacturer purchasing a palletizing robot to double production capacity without increasing labor costs.
Funding Conditions
The grant comes with several key conditions to ensure efficacy and transparency, such as:
- The applicant must demonstrate the need for financial assistance.
- The project must display a viable and coherent plan, with realistic financial structuring and involvement of partners.
- There must be evidence of the applicant's financial capacity to complete the project and achieve its goals.
- The project should exhibit distinctive and innovative characteristics with tangible economic, social, and environmental benefits for the Quebec Agglomeration.
- Funding is tied to the applicant maintaining business operations within the Quebec Agglomeration; clauses for reimbursement are applicable if the business relocates or ceases operations.
Application Process and Requirements
The application process is ongoing and interested businesses can submit their proposals at any time. Applications must be supported by a detailed plan, including:
- A comprehensive business plan with a focus on the project's objectives, relevance, and expected outcomes.
- A financial plan, including a detailed budget outlining eligible expenses.
- Documentation demonstrating the business’s financial health and ability to sustain the project through to completion.
- Evidence of current challenges related to productivity and labor shortages, and how the project will address these issues.
The application must be thorough and demonstrate that the project aligns with the grant’s goals and objectives. It is essential to highlight the innovative aspects of the project and the long-term benefits it will provide to both the business and the local economy.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on a range of criteria designed to ensure that funding is allocated to projects that will have the most significant impact. These criteria include:
- The solidity and responsibility of the business model.
- The financial capacity of the applicant to complete the project successfully.
- The viability and coherence of the proposed project, including the realism of the financial structure and the involvement of partners.
- The organizational capacity to manage and execute the project effectively.
- The innovativeness and distinctive qualities of the project.
- Expected economic, social, and environmental impacts within the Quebec Agglomeration.
- Demonstration of the need for financial assistance.
- Cohesion with current economic and market conditions.
- Clear illustration of the problems to be solved by the project.
- Accompanying support structures.
Conclusion
The Productivity and Automation Grant presents an invaluable opportunity for businesses in Quebec to enhance their productivity and address labor shortages through advanced technological solutions. By offering significant financial support, the grant aims to foster innovation, efficiency, and long-term sustainability within the business community. Eligible businesses are encouraged to apply and leverage this support to achieve their operational goals and contribute to the region's economic growth and development.