Business Support Fund
Gatineau, QC, Canada
Financial aid for growing businesses in Gatineau
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- City of Gatineau
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
The "Soutien aux entreprises" fund provides a maximum non-repayable contribution of $25,000 to support growth or startup projects for high-value-added manufacturing businesses in Gatineau. Eligible activities include hiring specialized external resources for productivity challenges, market development, and supporting business implantation or recovery plans.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant is aimed at supporting businesses in Gatineau that are in growth phases or planning to establish new operations by helping them overcome challenges and seize opportunities. Eligible projects and activities focus on expertise, productivity, and market development.
- Expertise: Engaging specialized consultants for feasibility studies, market studies, sectoral studies, prospecting studies, and opportunity analyses.
- Productivity and market development: Financial assistance for acquisitions of capital assets and the implementation of a marketing strategy.
- Attraction: Supporting businesses from outside Quebec or from within Quebec wanting to establish new activities in Gatineau with costs related to site selection studies, implementation and construction plans, and professional fees for accessing government markets.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$25,000
Gatineau
Launching a new marketing strategy for a social enterprise in Gatineau.
$25,000
Gatineau
Implementing a cybersecurity plan for a local Gatineau manufacturing enterprise.
$25,000
Gatineau
Conducting a feasibility study for expanding into new international markets.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The company eligibility criteria for this grant are outlined as follows:
- Must be a legally constituted enterprise registered with the Registre des entreprises du Québec (REQ).
- Must be a growth-oriented company or one with growth potential, or a company in the consolidation phase receiving personalized support from ID Gatineau.
- Start-ups are not eligible except for large-scale, high-value-added manufacturers.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The grant is targeted toward specific types of companies and industries to support business growth and economic development in Gatineau. Eligible companies are those that show growth potential and innovation within the region's economic landscape.
- Legally registered companies in Quebec
- Companies in growth or consolidation phase receiving personalized assistance from ID Gatineau
- Large-scale, high value-added manufacturing startups
- Companies willing to innovate and expand
- Companies looking to establish operations in Gatineau
- Companies demonstrating significant economic benefits for Gatineau
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
There are certain restrictions on the types of companies and industries eligible for this grant, along with limitations based on the main activities of the company. The following list outlines these sectors and restrictions:
- Projects in a saturated market or resulting in job displacement.
- Activities replacing government responsibilities.
- Projects in highly competitive sectors, unless they create economic wealth.
- Business plan and financial forecasting projects for startups.
- Controversial activities or those that tarnish ID Gatineau's reputation.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports eligible expenses related to engaging external expertise and enhancing productivity and market development.
- Professional fees for consultants on feasibility, market, sectoral studies, prospecting, and opportunity analysis
- Strategic planning implementation
- Diagnostics for restructuring plans and coaching
- Improving operational efficiency
- Developing a commercialization strategy
- Financial forecasts and cost determination
- Implementing a sustainable development plan
- Obtaining necessary certifications for new market entry or competitive advantage
- Environmental certification
- Implementing a cybersecurity plan
- Employee retention strategies
- Accessing government markets
- Acquisition of capital assets
- Deployment of a commercialization strategy
- Costs related to site choice studies, planning, and construction
- Relocation expenses and unforeseen costs related to establishment
- Costs associated with recruitment challenges
- 25% of the first six months' rent for new premises, up to $5,000 (excluding co-working spaces)
- Costs for presenting the company to key stakeholders in Gatineau’s economic ecosystem, up to $5,000
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Companies seeking to benefit from the grant must have activities in Gatineau or plan to develop new economic activities in Gatineau. Additionally, companies from outside Quebec that wish to establish themselves in Gatineau are also eligible.
- Gatineau, Quebec
- Companies from other regions of Quebec
- Companies from outside Quebec
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection criteria for projects applying for the grant focus on demonstrating growth potential, economic impact, and financial need in Gatineau.
- Demonstrate a willingness to grow in Gatineau by the management team.
- Show that the promoter has relevant knowledge and experience in the field, as well as management skills and abilities.
- Aim for a significant impact on market share increase, sales growth, and/or productivity improvements.
- Provide evidence, to the satisfaction of ID Gatineau, that financial assistance is necessary for project realization.
- Demonstrate significant economic benefits for the City of Gatineau.
- Prioritize complementarity with other funding sources when available (provincial, federal, municipal governments, and others).
- For consolidation projects:
- Experience a temporary but non-critical crisis.
- Have a reasonable prospect of successful turnaround.
- Support by an experienced management team.
- Not depend on a single client or declining market.
- Mobilize maximum partners around the turnaround.
- Be supported by the majority of its creditors.
- Enable the retention of wealth in Gatineau.
- Demonstrate, to the satisfaction of ID Gatineau, that financial support is necessary for the project.
- For attraction projects:
- Demonstrate a willingness to grow in Gatineau by the management team.
- Prove that the company or its new activities complement the economic fabric of Gatineau.
- Demonstrate significant economic benefits for the City of Gatineau.
- Consider social acceptance regarding the business and its activities.
- Show that financial assistance is necessary for the project realization.
grant_single_labels|register
Step 1: Eligibility Verification
- Confirm that the business is legally constituted and registered in Quebec's REQ (Registre des entreprises du Québec).
- Ensure the business is in the growth phase, or in consolidation phase and is accompanied by ID Gatineau, except for large-scale manufacturing start-ups with high added value.
- Determine that the project does not fall under non-eligible categories such as in sectors with saturated markets, very competitive markets, or controversial activities.
Step 2: Initial Consultation
- Contact a strategic advisor at ID Gatineau to discuss the project and determine eligibility.
- Collaborate on a pre-diagnostic to clarify business needs with ID Gatineau.
- Prepare a required action plan in association with ID Gatineau.
Step 3: Application Preparation
- Prepare necessary documents including business plan, financial forecasts, and action plan.
- Collect documentation that supports eligibility and project innovation potential.
Step 4: Application Submission
- Submit the application, including all supporting documents, to ID Gatineau using their provided process and channels.
- Make sure the application includes details as per the internal processes established by ID Gatineau management.
Step 5: Review and Decision
- Await the project’s evaluation by ID Gatineau’s internal team for completeness and potential success.
- For funding below $5,000, the project is reviewed by the general management at ID Gatineau and reported to the Investment Committee.
- For funding $5,000 and above, the project is assessed by the Common Investment Committee (CIC), which makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.
Step 6: Contractual Agreement
- If approved, sign a non-repayable contribution agreement outlining the funding disbursement conditions.
- Ensure that any conditions related to project funding are adhered to within the specified deadlines.
Step 7: Project Implementation and Reporting
- Begin project implementation as per the conditions in the funding agreement.
- Participate in required follow-ups and provide financial and project status reports to ID Gatineau as outlined in the agreement.
grant_single_labels|contact
819 595-8002
Apply to this program
Overview of the ID Gatineau Business Support Fund
The ID Gatineau Business Support Fund provides financial assistance to businesses in Gatineau, aiming to facilitate growth and innovation by addressing productivity challenges and entering new markets. This fund is particularly beneficial for technology, manufacturing, and export-oriented businesses seeking to enhance their market footprint and operational efficiency.
Detailed Explanation of the ID Gatineau Business Support Fund
The ID Gatineau Business Support Fund is a strategic financial initiative designed to bolster the economic fabric of Gatineau by providing targeted financial support to qualifying businesses. This fund offers up to $25,000 in non-repayable contributions, catering specifically to businesses that demonstrate a strong potential for growth, innovation, and market expansion. To partake in this opportunity, businesses must be legally registered entities within Quebec and demonstrate active engagement with ID Gatineau’s personalized support services. The fund is divided into several key components, each addressing distinct business needs. These include the Expertise, Productivity and Market Development, and Attraction elements, each tailored to enhance different aspects of business operations. The Expertise component is constructed to provide businesses with access to specialized consultancy services. Companies that are in growth phases or require critical intervention to overcome operational challenges can benefit significantly from this support. The funds allocated can be used to hire external experts to conduct market studies, feasibility assessments, implementation of strategic planning, and more. This enables businesses to leverage expert knowledge in fields such as governance, sustainable development, and marketing strategies, ensuring they are well-equipped to scale their operations effectively and responsibly. The Productivity and Market Development aspect of the fund encourages businesses to invest in capital acquisitions and robust marketing strategies. Thus, enhancing their productivity and boosting sales figures. The fund supports enterprises in implementing state-of-the-art operational systems, facilitating greater efficiency and product innovation. Businesses are expected to maintain a demonstrable path of innovation and growth, with clearly outlined objectives and scalable business models. The Attraction section caters to out-of-province businesses and those already within Quebec but outside Gatineau, that wish to establish a new presence in the region. The financial assistance supports initial setup costs, professional fees for securing governmental business contracts, as well as expenditures related to recruiting efforts. Furthermore, it incentivizes the relocation and establishment process, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into the local business ecosystem. In evaluating applications for the fund, ID Gatineau considers several critical criteria to ensure that the support effectively translates into substantial economic contributions to the city of Gatineau. These include the company's growth intentions within Gatineau, the potential impact on local employment, market share expansion strategies, and the necessity of financial assistance to achieve project goals. ID Gatineau envisions this fund as a catalyst for sustainable economic development, encouraging businesses to also adopt practices aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Successful recipients are obliged to maintain their business in Gatineau for a designated period, ensuring the city reaps the economic and social benefits of the investment. Contributions are carefully monitored, with ID Gatineau providing continuous guidance and oversight throughout the project duration. This ensures that the beneficiaries remain aligned with the initial objectives and continuously optimize their strategies for maximum positive economic outcome. Overall, the ID Gatineau Business Support Fund is a vital pillar in the city’s economic strategy, nurturing an innovative and robust business community poised to tackle modern economic challenges while fostering local growth and sustainability. This initiative heralds a symbiotic relationship between ID Gatineau and the businesses it supports, further anchoring Gatineau as a vibrant business hub in Quebec.