undefined
Business Growth — Productivity and automation - Québec - QC - Canada

Business Growth — Productivity and automation

Last Update: April 28, 2025
Québec, QC
Supports industrial productivity through advanced technology funding

Business Growth — Productivity and automation at a glance

Eligible Funding
  • From $75,000 to $500,000
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
  • Manufacturing
Grant Providers
  • Quebec City
Status
Open

Overview of the Business Growth — Productivity and automation program

The grant program provides financial contributions of up to $500,000 per project to support businesses in enhancing productivity and addressing workforce shortages through advanced technologies such as automation and robotics. Eligible activities include acquiring production equipment with a strong digital component for Industry 4.0 industrial projects or technologies aimed at boosting productivity in response to workforce challenges.

Financing terms and conditions

  • For manufacturing sector projects adopting Industry 4.0: financial contribution of up to $500,000 per project, covering a maximum of 50% of eligible expenses.
  • For projects involving acquisition of production equipment, operations, or advanced technologies in other eligible sectors: contribution of up to $100,000 per project, at a rate of up to 50% of eligible costs.
  • Maximum active funding across all City of Québec economic development programs is $500,000 over a two-year period (with non-repayable aid counted at 100% value, and repayable aid at 50%).

Eligible projects & activities

  • Implementation of advanced production equipment to increase productivity through automation or robotics.
  • Integration of connected technologies to transition towards Industry 4.0 standards.
  • Acquisition of automated equipment to address labor shortages and enhance operational efficiency.
  • Deployment of digital solutions within industrial processes to improve overall production performance.
Examples of admissible projects:

$ 50,000

Implementing a smart irrigation system on a commercial farm to optimize water usage

$ 137,500

Installation of intelligent conveyor systems to enhance sorting at a logistics center

$ 100,000

Acquisition of automated packaging equipment to boost capacity at a food processing plant

$ 85,000

Implementing a robotic arm to enhance production efficiency at an automotive parts manufacturer

$ 75,000

Implementing a palletizing robot to streamline operations at a beverage manufacturing plant

$ 67,500

Installing automated dough mixers to improve efficiency in a large-scale bakery

Eligibility criteria of the Business Growth — Productivity and automation program

  • The applicant must be a private incorporated business or a social economy enterprise (NPO or cooperative) with a majority of commercial activities.
  • The project must aim to improve productivity by integrating advanced technologies such as automation or robotics.
  • For manufacturing companies, the project must be part of a structured plan aligned with Industry 4.0 objectives, supported by a digital diagnosis and plan.
  • For other companies, the project must demonstrate that technology acquisition will address productivity challenges related to labour issues.
  • The applicant's project must be located within the Québec agglomeration (Québec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette) or Wendake.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for this grant include privately incorporated businesses, as well as social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) that primarily engage in commercial activities. Additionally, individual businesses and partnerships who are majority-owned by Indigenous people and located in Wendake territory are eligible to apply.

Who is not eligible

  • Vehicle dealerships, auto parts retailers, gas stations, and collaborative tourism accommodations (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away), as well as businesses operating only online.
  • Social economy organizations (non-profits and co-ops) unable to demonstrate sound democratic governance.
  • Applicants with unresolved bankruptcy judgments or those listed on the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts.
  • Applicants who have defaulted on previous financial commitments with the City of Québec within the last two years after formal notice.
  • Businesses with outstanding debts to the City of Québec.

Eligible expenses

  • Professional fees, consulting services, and studies directly related to the project.
  • Purchase or rental of goods, equipment, and assets relevant to the project.

Eligibility criteria of the Business Growth — Productivity and automation program

  • Quality and robustness of the responsible business model.
  • Financial capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the project and achieve objectives.
  • Viability and coherence of the submitted project, including relevance, realistic financial planning, and involvement of partners.
  • Organizational management capacity.
  • Distinctive and innovative aspects of the project, as well as its economic, social, and environmental impact in the Québec agglomeration.

How to apply to the Business Growth — Productivity and automation program

1
Verification of eligibility conditions
  • Confirm that your company is incorporated or a social economy enterprise primarily engaged in commercial activities.
  • Ensure that your company is not on the list of exclusions.
2
Preparation of the request

3
Filling out the application form
  • Access and complete the funding application form.
  • Attach all necessary documents listed in the application form.
4
Submission of the request
Submit the application electronically or according to the methods specified in the documentation.

Additional information

  • The program is open for applications continuously, with no set deadline.
  • Eligibility for funding does not guarantee a financial award; final amounts are subject to fund availability and assessed financial need.
  • Financial assistance may be provided as a grant and/or as a loan.
  • If a funded business ceases activities or leaves the territory, reimbursement clauses may apply depending on the timing of the event.

Contact Quebec City

degp@ville.quebec.qc.ca

Apply to this program

More grants like this

MAPAQ — Food Processing Program — Component 2
Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
Enhancing productivity through food industry automation assistance
ÉcoPerformance — Recommissioning of building mechanical systems
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Funding to optimize the operation of building mechanical systems
Support for biofood exports - individual projects
Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
SEB supports Quebec agri-food market expansion outside Quebec
Individual Market Access Support (SIAM)
Grant and FundingOpenClosing Soon
Quebec, Canada
Market Access Support for Quebec Food Processors
Digital Transformation Offensive Program (OTN) — Stream 1 – Support
Grant and FundingOpen
Granby, Quebec
Support for Quebec's food processing digital transformation initiative
Economic development program to help revitalize territories (DEPART)
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
DÉPART supports economic diversification and growth in targeted areas
Business Growth — Growth support vouchers
Grant and FundingOpen
Québec, Quebec
Grant program supports strategic consultancy for business growth
Digital Transformation Offensive program (OTN) — Stream 2 – Optimization
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Digital transformation support program for Quebec's food processors
Technoclimat
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Financial assistance for the demonstration of new technologies in Quebec
ESSOR – Component 1A: Support for investment projects (feasibility studies)
Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Investment support for feasibility studies in Quebec