Défi-Québec, Commercial City

• Non-repayable contribution of up to $50,000 per project.
• Maximum coverage of 50% of eligible project expenses.
• Only one contribution per business within a two-year period.
• The combined active funding for all City of Québec economic development programs is capped at $500,000 over two years.

• The applicant must be a private incorporated company or a social economy enterprise (NPO or cooperative) primarily conducting commercial activities.
• Individual enterprises and partnerships majority-owned by Indigenous peoples located in Wendake are eligible.
• The applicant's project must be located within the agglomeration of Québec (cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette) or Wendake.
• The head office must be located within the agglomeration of Québec (cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette) or Wendake.

Who is eligible?

• Private incorporated companies.
• Social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) conducting a majority of commercial activities.
• Individually owned businesses and limited partnerships primarily owned by Indigenous peoples located in the territory of Wendake.

Who is not eligible

• Vehicle dealerships, auto parts retailers, and gas stations.
• Collaborative tourist accommodation providers (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away) and businesses operating exclusively online.
• Social economy organizations (NPOs and co-ops) that cannot demonstrate sound democratic governance.
• Applicants who have not been discharged from bankruptcy or have outstanding debts with the City of Québec.
• Businesses listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts or with a history of failing to meet previous grant obligations to the City of Québec.

Eligible expenses

• Professional fees, consulting services, and studies.
• Pre-startup and startup costs necessary for project implementation.
• Salaries for human resources assigned to the project, based on the company's salary policy and supported by relevant documentation.
• Purchase or rental of goods, equipment, and assets related to the project.
• Marketing, promotion, and advertising activities and expenses.
• General and administrative expenses required for project completion.
• Improvements to leased spaces, refurbishments, expansions, renovations, or construction of a building, including the acquisition of land or real estate.

Eligible geographic areas

• Agglomeration of Québec (including the cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette)
• Wendake

• Quality and robustness of the responsible business model.
• Financial capacity of the applicant to successfully complete the project and achieve its objectives.
• Viability and coherence of the project, including relevance, financial structure, and involvement of partners.
• Organizational capability to manage and deliver the project.
• Distinctive and innovative aspects of the project and its economic, social, and environmental impacts in the Québec agglomeration.

• The contribution from the City is non-repayable, up to a maximum of $50,000 per project.
• The financial aid covers a maximum of 50% of eligible expenses.
• Enterprises can only receive one contribution every two years.
• The overall maximum active funding from the City of Québec's economic development programs is $500,000 over two years, with non-repayable aid considered at 100% of its value and repayable aid at 50%.
• Repayment clauses apply if a business relocates or ceases operations.