Open
Last Update: April 10, 2026
Funding available
$ 150,000
Timeline
- Open Date : August 27, 2025
Location
Quebec City, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada
Overview
The program offers a non-repayable contribution of up to $150,000 per project, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses. It supports innovative product or process development, production, and commercialization, including incubation exit, pre-commercial validation, expansion into new markets outside Quebec, and fit-up work for R&D or growth spaces.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Conduct research and development activities
- Optimize production processes
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : August 27, 2025
Eligible candidates
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
Location
- Quebec City
- Capitale-Nationale
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Launching operations in the company’s own premises after leaving a recognized incubator.
- Testing, validating, or demonstrating an innovative product or process through a pre-commercial showcase.
- Implementing a structured commercialization plan in a new market outside Quebec.
- Carrying out fit-up or improvement work for dedicated R&D or growth spaces.
Documents Needed
- Board resolution authorizing the application and signing related documents.
- Proof of intellectual property ownership or exclusive rights.
- Projected financial statements for two years.
- Financial statements for the last three completed years, if applicable.
- Commercialization plan for commercialization projects.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Private incorporated companies
- Indigenous-owned sole proprietorships and general partnerships in Wendake
- Social economy enterprises (NPOs and cooperatives) with mostly commercial activities
- Businesses in agri-food, digital arts, manufacturing, optics-photonics, life sciences, and clean technologies
Who is not eligible
- Social economy organizations without sound democratic governance.
- Businesses or applicants with unresolved bankruptcy judgments.
- Companies listed in the public contracts ineligible register.
- Applicants with overdue amounts owed to the City of Quebec.
- Discriminatory, controversial, or event-based projects.
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees, consulting services, and studies.
- General, administrative, and working capital costs needed for the project.
- First-site setup costs, including rent, equipment, assets, marketing, and promotion.
- Salaries and benefits for the first full-time employee, if eligible.
- Project-related salaries, equipment rentals or purchases, and marketing or advertising costs.
- Fit-up, refurbishment, expansion, and renovation work for eligible premises.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Regular operating costs.
- Charity activities and volunteer resources.
- Debt payments or repayment of existing loans.
- Costs incurred before the application was filed as substantially complete and compliant.
- Acquisition of the innovative product or process, research and development costs, incubator fees and rent, land or building purchases, standard furniture, and salaries.
Eligible geographic areas
- Québec City agglomeration
- Wendake
- Saint-Roch district for digital arts and interactive entertainment incubation exit projects
- Markets outside Quebec for commercialization projects
Selection criteria
- Quality and solidity of the business model.
- Distinctive and innovative nature of the project.
- Market relevance and competitive positioning.
- Project viability, coherence, and financial realism.
- Management capacity, financial capacity, ESG factors, job impact, and financial need.
How to apply
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
Submit the application
- Submit the complete application and documentation to the appropriate authority
- Retain confirmation of your submission for your records
5
Await application review
- Wait for the City of Quebec to review your application
- Be prepared to provide additional information or clarifications if requested
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are received and analyzed under the current investment policy.
- Final approval remains conditional on agreement renewal and available funds.
- Applicants are notified if program criteria change after filing.
- Funding remains at the City of Quebec’s discretion.
Additional information
- Applications are analyzed under the current investment policy.
- Final approval depends on the renewal of the agreement with the Government of Quebec and available funds.
- If you already received a City of Quebec subsidy under Vision entrepreneuriale Québec, you must wait for the final payment before filing a new request, except for the “Bourse entrepreneuriale” and “Bons d’accompagnement” streams.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Capitale-Innovation Program
What is the Capitale-Innovation?
The program offers a non-repayable contribution of up to $150,000 per project, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses. It supports innovative product or process development, production, and commercialization, including incubation exit, pre-commercial validation, expansion into new markets outside Quebec, and fit-up work for R&D or growth spaces.
How much funding can be received?
Capitale-Innovation Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $150,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Capitale-Innovation program?
To be eligible for the Capitale-Innovation program, you must:
Private incorporated businesses
IP or exclusive rights required
Head office in Québec agglomeration or Wendake
What expenses are eligible under Capitale-Innovation?
Launching operations in the company’s own premises after leaving a recognized incubator.
Testing, validating, or demonstrating an innovative product or process through a pre-commercial showcase.
Implementing a structured commercialization plan in a new market outside Quebec.
Carrying out fit-up or improvement work for dedicated R&D or growth spaces.
Where is the Capitale-Innovation available?
The Capitale-Innovation program is available Capitale-Nationale, Quebec.
Is the Capitale-Innovation a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Capitale-Innovation is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Capitale-Innovation?
Capitale-Innovation is funded by Quebec City