How much funding can be received?

There is no informations about how much funding can be received.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the DEPART Program?

DEPART Program is funded by Investissement Québec (IQ)

What are DEPART Program's eligibility criterias?

The company must be a for-profit enterprise with 250 employees or less or a collective enterprise as defined by the Social Economy Act. The business must be legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada. The business must have an active establishment in Quebec and conduct ongoing operations.

DEPART Program

grant_single|update April 18, 2025

QC, Canada

DÉPART supports economic diversification and growth in targeted areas

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Grant and Funding

grant_single|eligibleIndustries

Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Accommodation and food services

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Investissement Québec (IQ)

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The DÉPART program is designed to support SMEs in economic revitalization by facilitating access to funding up to the allocated budget limit and focusing on activities such as feasibility studies, investment projects, and innovation. Eligible activities include projects like technological transitions, business expansion, and development of innovative products or processes.

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For feasibility studies, up to 60% of eligible expenses will be covered; a minimum support of $15,000 and a maximum of $150,000 per project is applicable.
The project costs related to hiring cannot exceed 50% of eligible payroll expenses.
For other projects, coverage is up to 50% of eligible expenses with a total aid ceiling of 70% of the eligible expenses.

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Feasibility studies for analyzing or evaluating technical or economic parameters of business projects on the territory of the targeted MRC.
Studies related to projected investments, including site selection analyses.
Studies for the evaluation of processes or technologies and usage rights.
Studies to comply with standards or obtain a certification that could otherwise threaten the company's future in its MRC.
Investment projects including equipment and capital assets aimed at creating a new business.
Expansion projects including modernization and enlargement of an existing business.
Technological transition projects.
Projects to implement specific business practices for significant productivity gains.
Tourism sector investment projects for the development of cultural, scientific, recreational, outdoor, or other facilities with growth potential and regular tourist attraction.
New tourism accommodation construction projects.
Investment projects post-business takeover aimed at supporting buyers.
Development or demonstration of innovative products.
Projects for developing or demonstrating new processes to boost company productivity.
Projects in the cannabis and industrial hemp industry for products approved by Health Canada, or research and development activities under license from Health Canada.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 75,000

Transitioning to green energy through solar panel installation

$ 20,000

Developing a mobile app for local tourism enhancement

$ 15,000

Feasibility study for expansion of organic farm operations

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The applicant must be a for-profit business with 250 or fewer employees (SME), legally incorporated under the laws of Quebec or Canada, and have an operational establishment in Quebec.
Collective enterprises (cooperatives and non-profit organizations) with a predominantly commercial activity under the Social Economy Act (RLRQ, chapter E 1.1.1) are also eligible.
The company must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment there, and be actively conducting business activities.
The project must be located in one of the targeted territories, such as specific MRCs identified by economic vitality indices or eligibility lists.
The project must correspond to eligible sectors, including secondary/tertiary transformation of primary sector, manufacturing, value-added services (ICT, environmental services, industrial design), and tourism with cultural, scientific, or recreational components.
Eligible activities include feasibility studies, investment projects (creation, expansion, modernization, technological transition), post-acquisition investment, and the development or demonstration of innovative products or processes.
For investment projects, the creation of new business, expansion, technological transition, or the implementation of business practices to improve productivity are admissible.
Only expenses incurred or committed after the application submission date are eligible.
If hiring a qualified professional is part of the project, it must be for a new position essential to the project, not a replacement, and require at least a professional, technical, or university degree matching the expertise required.
Projects must be completed no later than December 31, 2025.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

For-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with 250 employees or fewer, legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada, operating an active establishment in Quebec
Collective enterprises (cooperatives and non-profit organizations) as defined under the Social Economy Act with a primarily commercial activity
Enterprises in the following sectors: secondary and tertiary transformation projects in the primary sector, manufacturing, high value-added service industries (information and communication technologies, environmental services, creative and industrial design services)
Tourism sector companies, including accommodation enterprises that provide entertainment and leisure services and projects related to the development of cultural, scientific, recreational, outdoor, or other attractions for a regular tourist clientele with growth potential
Tourism accommodation companies, with the exception of tourist residences, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Companies operating in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector
Businesses in the construction sector, except for projects related to the Action Plan for the Construction Sector and productivity improvements
Retail trade and wholesale trade companies
Businesses in the transportation and warehousing sectors
Professional and financial services companies (including finance and insurance)
Companies involved in repair and maintenance, personal services, and laundry services
Holding companies and company management businesses
Restaurants and food service businesses
Businesses in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting, except for secondary or tertiary transformation projects
Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction companies
Telecommunications services companies
Broadcasting (radiotelevision) services
Administrative and support services companies
Real estate and rental and leasing services companies
Public services, including health care, social assistance, and education
Educational and training services
Public administration organizations
Companies submitting tourism renovation projects or projects similar to regular maintenance
Projects involving construction of tourism accommodations with fewer than four tourist residences or organizations renting fewer than four tourist residences on the same site after the project, unless integrated in a broader tourism offer
Businesses seeking funding for restructuring or consolidation due to financial difficulties
Companies planning to relocate to an eligible MRC without new investment or the development of new activities
Projects involving municipal infrastructure (recreation, sports, community, roadwork, sewage, aqueducts) including equipment purchases
Projects of a recurring or event-based nature (e.g., funding for festivals, conventions, and conferences)

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Professional fees for external consulting firms, in accordance with the applicable Quebec government management policy manual.
Travel and accommodation expenses related to project implementation, in accordance with the applicable Quebec government management policy manual.
Salaries for the hiring of a qualified professional (in administration, marketing, engineering, chemistry, biology, physics, IT, agri-food, marine sciences, wind energy, or other relevant and essential fields to the project) for project deployment, provided the expertise was not available internally before the project. Only new positions, not replacements, are eligible, with a minimum requirement of a professional, technical, or university credential.
Acquisition, construction, development, or expansion of buildings.
Acquisition and installation of equipment or software needed for project realization.
Acquisition of new technology.
Expenses related to research and development activities for products or processes.
Expenses to obtain approval, compliance, or certification.
Expenses related to real-world demonstration to potential clients to facilitate product or process commercialization.
Purchase of studies, data, or other documentation necessary for project implementation.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The MRCs in the lowest quintile according to the economic vitality index by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The MRCs in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine administrative region, including the maritime community of Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
The MRC of Les Appalaches.
The MRC of Le Granit, including the city of Lac-Mégantic.
Indigenous communities within the eligible territorial MRCs recognized by the National Assembly of Quebec.

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Pertinence of the project, including contribution to the Program's objectives and alignment with the economic priorities of the targeted MRC, as confirmed by the MRC to Investissement Québec.
Quality of project governance, considering the expertise and competence of the company's leaders and key employees, and the company's ability to carry out the project with its financial, human, and technical resources.
Project quality assessment based on alignment with the company's business model, the robustness of the business plan, realism of the financial structure, proposed timeline, financial projections, and the level of financial support and involvement from partners.
Local and regional support for the project, including the absence of opposition and the obtaining of necessary governmental authorizations for project realization.
Potential project outcomes on the company's profitability, productivity, and competitiveness, impact on the company's business sector, effects on the local and regional economy, and the quality of created jobs.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The program DÉPART will be suspended from accepting new applications effective November 12, 2024.
All projects submitted must be completed by December 31, 2025.
Incomplete or non-compliant applications will be automatically rejected.
The Ministry of the Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) in collaboration with Investissement Québec reserves the right to suspend the analysis of applications at any time.