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Call for investments VRQ

Q: How much funding can be received?

Call for investments VRQ Funds up to 25% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was October 31, 2025.

Q: Who is eligible for the Call for investments VRQ program?

To be eligible for the Call for investments VRQ program, you must: Must be a spin-off from a listed Univalor-affiliated institution Must be incorporated with headquarters in Quebec Must be in the pre-seed stage with less than $500,000 in external dilutive funding

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Call for investments VRQ?

You can contact Axelys by email at investissements@axelys.ca.

Q: Where is the Call for investments VRQ available?

The Call for investments VRQ program is available Montréal, Quebec.

Last Update: March 4, 2026

Quebec, Canada

Supports Quebec research-based startups in early-stage company development

Loans and Capital investments

Overview

The Call for Investments VRQ offers up to $150,000 in funding via a convertible debenture to support the development of early-stage companies derived from public research at specific Quebec institutions. The program aims to help these scientific startups reach key growth milestones, with funding intended for business development and commercialization activities.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Integrate new technologies

Develop a new product

Research and experimental development

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 150,000 $
Up to 25% of project cost

Timeline

Open Date : October 1, 2025
Closing date : October 31, 2025

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance

Location

Montréal
Quebec

Legal structures

For-profit business

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Startups

Activities funded

Development and growth of companies based on intellectual property originating from designated Quebec public research institutions.
Technology maturation and advancement towards commercial viability.
Preparation for market entry and business scaling in innovation-driven sectors.
Implementation of validated intellectual property strategies.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 143,700

Commercialization of rapid point-of-care infection testing device for clinics

$ 145,500

Launch of online cognitive rehabilitation platform for stroke survivors

$ 145,000

Clinical validation of a wearable seizure detection patch technology

$ 149,800

Scale-up of a novel cell therapy platform for rare pediatric diseases

$ 148,000

Development of AI-based diagnostic software for early cancer detection

$ 146,500

Pilot-scale production of bioplastic using university-patented process

Eligibility

The company must be a spin-off from technology transfer activities of one of the following institutions: CCSMTL, CHUM, CIUSSS EMTL, CIUSSS NIM, HEC Montréal, CHU Sainte-Justine, IRCM, Polytechnique Montréal, or Université de Montréal.
The company must be incorporated with its head office located in Quebec.
The company must currently hold, or be in negotiation for, an option or license for intellectual property originating from one of the eligible institutions.
The company must be in the pre-seed phase, having not made significant sales and having raised less than $500,000 in dilutive funding beyond friends and family.
Control of the company (over 50%) must reside with the university/affiliated center, principal researcher, or founding team, and not with an already established company or unrelated external investor.

Who is eligible?

Startups and scientific companies deriving from the commercialization of research from the following public institutions: CCSMTL, CHUM, CIUSSS EMTL, CIUSSS NIM, HEC Montréal, CHU Sainte-Justine, IRCM, Polytechnique Montréal, or Université de Montréal

Who is not eligible

Companies not incorporated or without their head office in Quebec.
Businesses not derived from the commercialization activities of the specified academic and research institutions (CCSMTL, CHUM, CIUSSS EMTL, CIUSSS NIM, HEC Montréal, CHU Sainte-Justine, IRCM, Polytechnique Montréal, Université de Montréal).
Companies where more than 50% ownership is held by an established business or outside investors who are not founders, the principal researcher, or affiliated institutions.

Eligible expenses

Any company development expenses, except those specifically excluded (see non-eligible expenses).

Eligible geographic areas

Province of Quebec

Selection criteria

Innovation (25 points): The degree to which the innovation addresses a critical problem, disrupts a market, demonstrates traction or external validation, overcomes technological challenges, and has a strong intellectual property strategy.
Team (25 points): The dedication and capability of the founding team to reach the next key milestone, their entrepreneurial potential, ability to attract talent and resources, and engagement with external advisors or organizations.
Market (25 points): The company’s differentiation from competitors, understanding of the addressable market size and dynamics, and identification and management of commercialization barriers.
Execution (25 points): The strength of the business model and commercialization plan, clarity and realism in achieving key milestones with the funds, a sound financial plan, and clear use of funds to enable subsequent financing.

How to apply

Verify eligibility requirements

Confirm your company is a spin-off from Univalor member institutions
Verify your business is incorporated and headquartered in Quebec
Ensure your company is controlled by a university, affiliated center, principal researcher, or founding team
Confirm you are at the pre-seed stage, with no significant sales and less than $500,000 in external dilutive capital raised outside family/friends
Validate your eligibility by answering all pre-admissibility questions with 'yes'

Gather and prepare documentation

Gather required company and team information (incorporation date, NEQ number, board members, employees, mission, vision)
Prepare a detailed problem statement and your value proposition
Analyze and summarize target market size and accessible market share over five years
Outline your commercialization strategy and regulatory pathway if relevant
Detail competitors, past and present funding, technology readiness, and intellectual property

Complete application and attach annexes

Complete the application form with all required sections
Attach financial projections, competition comparison table, and development plan as annexes
Respect the response length limits for each section as indicated
Fill out the form in French or English as preferred

Submit application to Axelys

Email the completed application to investissements@axelys.ca by the submission deadline (October 31, 2025)
Copy the representative(s) of your academic institution as listed in the official guide
Ensure all required documents and annexes are included

Await results from Axelys

Wait for email communication confirming receipt and the status of your application
Results will be communicated no later than January 23, 2026

Additional information

The application can be submitted in either French or English.
If a question in the application does not apply to your situation, you may leave it blank.
Supplementary documents such as financial projections, competitor comparison tables, and technology development plans should be attached as annexes if needed.
Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in future calls for investments.

Contacts

investissements@axelys.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Call for investments VRQ Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Call for investments VRQ. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.