
Development Capital — Debt financing
At a glance
- No Condition
- Open Date : November 14, 2019
- All industries
Overview
Debt financing up to $100 million to acquire a company in Quebec or abroad, for growth and productivity enhancements, and more.
Financing terms and conditions
This grant program offers various financing modalities designed to support ambitious projects in Quebec through structured and flexible financial instruments. The program leverages a combination of debt and equity solutions to provide substantial capital access for eligible enterprises.
- Equity financing with a minimum investment threshold of $10 million.
- Debt financing available up to $100 million.
- First-ranking secured loans typically arranged in collaboration with other lenders, offering competitive and market-aligned terms.
- Subordinated loans available with or without collateral, with repayment terms and pricing adjusted according to the specific circumstances of the business, under prevailing market conditions.
- Convertible debt with conversion, repayment, and pricing conditions tailored to the business's situation and consistent with market standards.
Activities funded
This grant is designed to support various ambitious business initiatives that contribute to economic growth and sustainability in Quebec. The eligible projects include but are not limited to acquisitions, productivity improvements, and ownership structuring activities.
- Acquisition of an enterprise in Quebec or abroad.
- Growth or productivity improvement projects, such as expansion or equipment modernization.
- Partial or total buyout of shares to ensure the continuity of Quebec ownership.
Eligibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the sector of the company applying.
- All companies in Quebec are eligible except those in the following sectors:
- Agricultural operations, unless they are not eligible for programs by La Financière agricole du Québec.
- Finance and insurance.
- Real estate, with some activities being excluded.
- Retail and activities similar to retail.
- Other sectors mainly serving individual customers, except the tourism sector.
Who is eligible?
All businesses in Quebec can apply, except those in the following sectors:- Agricultural operations- Finance and insurance- Real estate (certain activities excluded)- Retail and activities similar to retail- Other sectors primarily serving individual customers, excluding the tourism sector Companies not eligible for La Financière agricole du Québec programs may still receive funding from Investissement Québec.Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies from applying based on their industry or primary activities. These restrictions are intended to target key sectors that align with the grant's economic development mission.
- Agricultural operations, with some exceptions.
- Finance and insurance sectors.
- Real estate activities (certain activities within this sector are excluded).
- Retail and activities analogous to retail.
- Other sectors where the customer base consists predominantly of individuals, except for the tourism sector.
Eligible expenses
This grant supports projects aimed at enhancing the economic sustainability and growth of businesses in Quebec. Eligible projects include strategic acquisitions, productivity improvements, and actions ensuring business longevity within the province.
- Acquisition of a company in Quebec or abroad.
- Growth or improvement of productivity, such as expansion and equipment modernization.
- Partial or total buyback of shares to ensure the continuity of Quebec-based ownership.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant targets companies established in specific regions to support regional economic development. The eligible geographical area for companies applying for this grant is the Province of Quebec.
- Companies located within the Province of Quebec, Canada.
Selection criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. All companies in Quebec except those in specific sectors are eligible, with a focus on high-potential growth and innovative sectors.
- Companies in Quebec are eligible, excluding those in:
- Agricultural exploitation
- Finance and insurance
- Real estate (certain activities excluded)
- Retail sales and comparable activities
- Other sectors with a majority of individual clientele, except for tourism
- Focus on sectors such as:
- Food processing
- Aerospace
- Information and communication technologies
- Advanced applied technologies
- Clean energy
- Life sciences
- Innovative manufacturing
- Vision centered on long-term economic development
- Goals to ensure the sustainability of Quebec businesses
How to apply
Initial contact
- Contact the major accounts team at Investissement Québec to discuss your project and verify eligibility.
- Provide an overview of your company and your financing needs.
Preparation of the proposal
- Write a detailed proposal describing the project, including goals, growth plans, and financial forecasts.
- Include supporting documents such as the financial statement, business plan, and market strategies.
Submission of the request
- Send the complete proposal to the Investissement Québec team electronically or by mail, according to the instructions provided by the advisor.
- Ensure the verification of all required documents for the completeness of the application.
Evaluation of the request
Decision and follow-up
- Receive an official decision regarding the grant of development capital.
- In case of a positive decision, work on the final terms of the financing with the team.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Investissement Québec offers flexible financing solutions through both equity and debt financing tailored to your business's specific needs and market conditions.
- They have a strong financial capacity and offer a long-term global perspective to support ambitious business projects.
- Their portfolio focuses on innovative companies with high growth potential, especially in sectors like aerospace, ICT, advanced technologies, clean energy, life sciences, and innovative manufacturing.
- Investissement Québec brings added value through a wide network of contacts and complementary services with other market players.
- Financing packages start at a minimum of $10 million, which can go up to $100 million for debt financing.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Development Capital — Debt financing Program
What is the Development Capital — Debt financing?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Development Capital — Debt financing?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Development Capital — Debt financing a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Development Capital — Debt financing?
Who is eligible for the Development Capital — Debt financing program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Development Capital — Debt financing?
Where is the Development Capital — Debt financing available?
More programs like this

Financing to respond to the offensive of new tariffs and for initiatives for resilient and exporting companies (FRONTIERE)
Investissement Québec (IQ)
Panorama Program
Investissement Québec (IQ)
ESSOR – Component 2: Support for investment projects promoting productivity and business expansion
Investissement Québec (IQ)
Program Supporting the Development of Tourist Attractions — Stream 2
Investissement Québec (IQ)
Program Supporting the Development of Tourist Attractions — Stream 1
Investissement Québec (IQ)
REGI — Business Scale-up and Productivity — CED (QC) – Private sector
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
Afro-Entrepreneurs Fund
Filaction
ESSOR – Component 3: Support for investment projects to reduce environmental footprint
Investissement Québec (IQ)
Financial assistance for infrastructure projects supporting the mining sector (ENIAM)
Gouvernement du Québec