Entrepreneurial Assistance Program (PAEN)

• Total government financial assistance of $37.8 million was awarded through the program from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022.
• The financial assistance demonstrates a leverage effect of 1.3, meaning that for every dollar provided, an additional $1.30 was mobilized from other sources.
• The public expenditure return ratio was estimated at 0.79.

• The applicant must be an organization or business active in the entrepreneurial sector in Quebec.
• The project must support entrepreneurship and contribute to positive economic outcomes in Quebec.
• The applicant or project must align with the orientations and mission of the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie.
• Preference is given to projects benefiting underrepresented or disadvantaged groups, as well as innovative young enterprises.

Who is eligible?

• Entrepreneurship support organizations
• Businesses benefiting from entrepreneurship support services
• Young innovative enterprises
• Enterprises with founders from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups

Eligible geographic areas

• Quebec

• Relevance and alignment of the project with the program’s objectives.
• Achievement of the intended results and contribution to positive entrepreneurial outcomes in Quebec.
• Coherence and complementarity with other government interventions and initiatives.
• Efficient use of granted funds and reasonable achievement of expected results.
• Satisfaction of beneficiaries with the implementation and administration of the program.

• An evaluation found that over 85% of direct and indirect recipients confirmed the ongoing need for the program.
• More than 40% of businesses supported directly or indirectly had a founder from an under-represented or disadvantaged group.
• The program demonstrated a positive contribution to employment and wealth creation in Quebec.
• Customer satisfaction rates with the program and support organizations exceeded 90%.