Capitale-Innovation

Q: How much funding can be received?

Capitale-Innovation Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $150000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Capitale-Innovation a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Capitale-Innovation is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Capitale-Innovation?

Capitale-Innovation is funded by Quebec City

Q: Who is eligible for the Capitale-Innovation program?

To be eligible for the Capitale-Innovation program, you must: • Private incorporated businesses • Must hold intellectual property or exclusive rights in the target territory • Head office located in the Québec agglomeration or Wendake

Q: Where is the Capitale-Innovation available?

The Capitale-Innovation program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Capitale-Innovation program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Capitale-Innovation program.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Capitale-Innovation program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Capitale-Innovation program.

Last Update: August 22, 2025

Québec, QC

Supports business innovation, commercialization, and market expansion projects

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $150,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Finance and insurance
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Opening Soon

Overview

The Capitale-Innovation grant provides non-repayable funding of up to $150,000 per project, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses, to support the development, production, and commercialization of innovative products or processes. Eligible activities include starting operations after incubation, technological validation and demonstration, structured commercialization in new markets outside Quebec, and facility improvements for R&D or significant growth milestones.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum non-repayable contribution of $150,000 per project.
Funding covers up to 50% of eligible project expenses.
Total active government funding across all economic development programs from Québec City is capped at $500,000 per two-year period, counted at full value of each aid.

Activities funded

Establishing and launching company operations in a dedicated space after leaving a recognized incubator.
Creating technology demonstration sites or pre-commercial showcases to test, validate, or demonstrate an innovative product or process.
Expanding the commercialization of an innovative product or process into new markets outside Quebec.
Renovating or improving premises, including outfitting spaces exclusively for research and development or supporting significant business growth milestones.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 135,000

Demonstrating smart energy systems in multi-residential buildings

$ 150,000

Launching a biotech lab for rapid pathogen testing services

$ 148,000

Expanding a digital health platform into British Columbia markets

Eligibility

The applicant must be a privately incorporated company, an individual business, or a general partnership majority-owned by Indigenous persons located in Wendake, or a social economy enterprise (NPO or cooperative) with a majority of commercial activities.
The company must own intellectual property or hold exclusive rights in the relevant territory.
The project must be carried out in the Québec metropolitan area (Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette), or Wendake, with specific conditions applicable for projects outside the province for commercialization.
The head office of the applicant must be located within the specified eligible territories.
The project must involve the development, production, or commercialization of an innovative product or process, and be part of a structured commercialization plan aiming for significant business growth and profitability.

Who is eligible?

Private incorporated companies
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships majority-owned by Indigenous persons located in Wendake
Social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) conducting primarily commercial activities
Companies in the agri-food, food processing, and health foods sector
Enterprises in digital arts, interactive entertainment, financial technologies, artificial intelligence, smart cities, and other digital products and technologies (excluding services and consulting)
Industries in advanced materials, industrial transformation, robotics, and Industry 4.0
Companies focused on optics-photonics, measurement and control technologies, advanced electronics
Businesses in life sciences, biotechnology, and health technologies
Firms specializing in clean technologies: water, air, soil treatment, eco-mobility, energy efficiency, renewable energies, green chemistry, residual materials, enabling technologies, and sustainable development

Who is not eligible

Social economy organizations (non-profits and co-ops) that do not demonstrate sound democratic governance.
Companies or individuals not released from a bankruptcy judgment.
Businesses listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics).
Companies with outstanding amounts due to the City of Quebec.
Projects with a discriminatory, controversial, or negative image risk for the City of Quebec, and one-off event projects.

Eligible expenses

Professional fees, consulting services, and studies related to the project.
General, administrative, and working capital expenses necessary for project completion.
Costs associated with moving into the company's first commercial space, including purchase or rental of property, first six months’ rent, purchase or rental of equipment and assets, as well as marketing and promotion costs related to the project.
Salaries and benefits for hiring the first full-time employee (excluding shareholders or company executives).
Salaries for human resources assigned directly to the project, according to the company's usual rates, supported by appropriate documentation.
Purchase or rental of property, equipment, and assets tied directly to the project.
Marketing, promotional, and advertising expenses specifically for the project.
Fit-up, refurbishment, expansion, or renovation work for spaces exclusively dedicated to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

Québec City
Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures
L’Ancienne-Lorette
Wendake

How to apply

Check eligibility requirements

Ensure your business does not have outstanding amounts owed to the City of Quebec
Verify that your business meets all eligibility criteria (incorporated private company, social economy enterprise, etc.)
Confirm your project aligns with eligible sectors and is located in the designated territory

Prepare required documentation

Gather supporting documents proving intellectual property ownership or exclusive rights
Prepare a structured business plan detailing the commercialization strategy and financial structure
Ensure documentation for project costs, salaries, and eligible expenses is complete

Fill out the application form

Complete the grant application form per the program’s instructions
Attach all necessary supporting documents
Check that all information provided is accurate and up to date

Submit the application

Submit the complete application and documentation to the appropriate authority
Retain confirmation of your submission for your records

Await application review

Wait for the City of Quebec to review your application
Be prepared to provide additional information or clarifications if requested

Additional information

If the applicant has outstanding amounts owed to the City at the time of disbursement, these will be deducted from the financial assistance granted.
Compensations can be withheld from the grant for taxes, contributions to a business development corporation (SDC), or infraction fees.
The eligibility of a project does not guarantee the awarding of financial aid; the actual amount is subject to fund availability and assessment of financial need.
Clauses provide for repayment in the event the company leaves the territory or ceases activities within certain periods.

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Capitale-Innovation Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Capitale-Innovation. 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.