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Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city

Supports innovative startups in Québec and Wendake to launch operations

Offered by
Quebec City
Official source: ville.quebec.qc.ca

Record updated

Funding available
$ 75,000
Up to 50% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Who can apply
Incorporated private businesses.
See full eligibility

Overview

The "Défi-Québec, ville entrepreneuriale" program offers non-repayable contributions up to a maximum of $50,000 per project to support the launch of innovative businesses that contribute to the economic growth of the Québec metropolitan area and Wendake. The program aims to assist private and social economy enterprises with responsible business models in developing novel entrepreneurial projects. Eligible activities include professional fees, startup and implementation costs, human resources salaries, and marketing and promotion activities.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$75,000
Maximum share of project costs
50%
Financing goals
  • Increase performance through digital transformation
  • Attract or retain talent
  • Develop a new product or service
  • Optimize production processes
  • Access new markets
  • Launch or market a product/service

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Quebec City
  • Capitale-Nationale
  • Quebec
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
All revenue ranges
Organisation size
All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • Startups
Legal structures
For-profit business, Social economy enterprise

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Latest changes

Défi-Québec maximum funding increased

The Défi-Québec page now states that the maximum project support has increased from $50,000 to $75,000.

See more

The Défi-Québec page now shows a maximum support amount of $75,000 for a project, up from $50,000. The program’s stated purpose remains to support the startup and growth of innovative businesses in the agglomeration territory.

Official source: ville.quebec.qc.ca
August 27, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Incorporated private businesses.
  • Social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) carrying on mainly commercial activities.
  • Duly registered sole proprietorships and general partnerships majority-owned by Indigenous people and located in the territory of Wendake.
  • Businesses in the agri-food, digital technology, manufacturing, optics-photonics, life sciences, and clean technology sectors.
  • Social economy enterprises in all sectors of activity, excluding retail and food service, with more than 40 % in self-generated revenue.

Who is not eligible

  • Social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) that do not demonstrate sound democratic governance.
  • Foundations, community organizations, and mutuals.
  • Applicants not discharged from a bankruptcy judgment or with overdue amounts owing to the City of Quebec.
  • Businesses listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts, or applicants that have failed to meet their obligations related to previous financial assistance from the City of Quebec during the two years preceding the application.
  • Sole proprietorships (self-employed workers), general partnerships (S.E.N.C.), limited partnerships (S.E.C.), undeclared partnerships, associations or groups of persons, trusts operating a commercial enterprise, and condominium syndicates, except sole proprietorships and general partnerships majority-owned by Indigenous people and located in the territory of Wendake.

Eligible expenses

  • Professional fees, consulting services, and studies.
  • Pre-start-up and start-up costs necessary for implementing the project, as well as salaries for human resources assigned to the project.
  • Purchases of data, materials, and equipment, excluding rolling equipment.
  • Marketing, promotional, and advertising activities and expenses.
  • Leasehold improvement, repair, expansion, renovation, or building construction work, including the acquisition of land or a building, as well as overhead and administrative expenses necessary to carry out the project.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Projects of a discriminatory nature, controversial projects, or projects posing a risk of negative image for the City of Quebec, as well as one-time event-based projects.
  • Funding regular operations, charitable activities, and payment of volunteer resources.
  • Payment of a debt, repayment of existing loans, and replacement of government support or existing programs.
  • Expenses incurred or finalized before the submission date of an application file that is substantially complete and compliant.
  • Expenses aimed at relocating a business or part of its production outside the Quebec City agglomeration, unless the City of Quebec gives written consent, as well as the portion of taxes (GST and QST) recovered from governments.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Québec City Agglomeration (Québec City, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures and L’Ancienne-Lorette).
  • Wendake.

Activities funded

  • Improve an information technology company’s application to strengthen its competitive advantages in international markets.
  • Launch manufacturing/production of an innovative product.
  • Deploy a new technology in a food processing cooperative to increase productivity.

How to apply

  • Download the funding application form.
  • Consult the list of required documents and submission instructions in this form.
  • Submit a complete and compliant application no later than 28 October 2026 at 16 h.

Documents Needed

  • Projected financial statements over two years, including a cash budget, an income statement and a balance sheet.
  • Board resolution for submitting the financial assistance application and signing the agreement, if requested during the 2e analysis phase.
  • Confirmation that the application has been submitted to the other financial partners, if requested during the 2e analysis phase.
  • Succession agreement, where applicable, as well as any other document deemed relevant by the advisors, if requested during the 2e analysis phase.

Selection criteria

  • Quality and strength of the responsible business model, with credible responses to all its components.
  • Relevance of the product or service offering, positioning, competitive advantages, and the project's distinctive and innovative nature.
  • Applicant's financial capacity, project viability and consistency, realism of the financing structure, and demonstration of the need for financial assistance, including compensation levels of senior executives.
  • Organizational management capacity, the applicant's relevant expertise and experience, as well as the presence of a support structure.
  • Environmental, social, and governance criteria, project benefits, and structuring effect; businesses whose ownership, board of directors, or employees are composed mostly of young people, women, immigrants, or members of the LGBTQ+ community receive additional points.

Additional information

  • For the 2025 edition, the date is not yet confirmed.
  • In the context of the final year of the Capitale-Nationale Region Fund delegation agreement (ending March 31, 2025) and the high volume of files submitted, project eligibility does not guarantee funding.

Contacts

defiquebec@ville.quebec.qc.ca
4186416411

Official sources

Ville entrepreneuriale (Appels de projets)

Application form

Demande de financement
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city Program

What is the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city?

The "Défi-Québec, ville entrepreneuriale" program offers non-repayable contributions up to a maximum of $50,000 per project to support the launch of innovative businesses that contribute to the economic growth of the Québec metropolitan area and Wendake. The program aims to assist private and social economy enterprises with responsible business models in developing novel entrepreneurial projects. Eligible activities include professional fees, startup and implementation costs, human resources salaries, and marketing and promotion activities.

How much funding can be received?

Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city program?

To be eligible for the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city program, you must: Private incorporated business, or social economy enterprise (non-profit/co-op) with mainly commercial activities. Eligible stage: from 12 months before first significant sale to 36 months after (or structured business succession within 12 months of acquiring ≥25% voting shares). Head office and project located in Québec City agglomeration (Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette) or Wendake.

What expenses are eligible under Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city?

Professional fees, consulting services, and studies. Pre-start-up and start-up costs necessary for implementing the project, as well as salaries for human resources assigned to the project. Purchases of data, materials, and equipment, excluding rolling equipment. Marketing, promotional, and advertising activities and expenses. Leasehold improvement, repair, expansion, renovation, or building construction work, including the acquisition of land or a building, as well as overhead and administrative expenses necessary to carry out the project.

Who can I contact for more information about the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city?

You can contact Quebec City by email at defiquebec@ville.quebec.qc.ca or by phone at 4186416411.

Where is the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city available?

The Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city program is available Capitale-Nationale, Quebec.

Is the Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Défi-Québec, an entrepreneurial city is a Grant and Funding