Open
Entrepreneurial grant
Supports new business creation and structured business succession in Québec
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 25,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Quebec City, Capitale-Nationale, Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Entrepreneurial Grant offers up to $25,000 in funding to support the creation of new businesses or structured business transfers in the Québec City agglomeration and Wendake. Eligible activities include startup expenses, professional services, equipment purchases, marketing, and operational costs required to launch or transfer a business.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Access new markets
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Quebec City
- Capitale-Nationale
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
- Municipal
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation of a first corporation (incorporated business) by one or more individuals.
- Start-up of a social economy enterprise, such as a nonprofit or cooperative, with primarily commercial activities.
- Establishment of a sole proprietorship or general partnership majority-owned by Indigenous individuals and located in Wendake.
- Structured business succession by acquiring at least 25% voting shares or fair market value assets to transfer leadership and ownership.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Corporations incorporated for the first time by one or more individuals
- Social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) engaging mainly in commercial activities
- Sole proprietorships or general partnerships majority-owned by Indigenous persons and located in Wendake
- Enterprises undergoing a structured business transfer with acquisition of at least 25% of voting shares or assets
Who is not eligible
- Organizations that cannot demonstrate sound democratic governance (for social economy organizations such as NPOs and co-ops).
- Foundations.
- Applicants who have not been discharged from bankruptcy.
- Companies listed on the Registry of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
- Companies or applicants with outstanding amounts owed to the City of Québec.
- Projects of a discriminatory nature, controversial, or potentially harmful to the image of the City of Québec.
- Social economy enterprises in the retail or restaurant sectors, or those not generating at least 40% autonomous revenue.
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees, consulting services, and studies related to the project.
- Pre-startup and startup costs, as well as initial working capital required for project implementation.
- Salaries for human resources assigned to the project.
- Purchases or rentals of goods, equipment, and assets linked to the project.
- Marketing, promotion, and advertising expenses directly for the project.
- General and administrative expenses necessary for project execution.
- Costs for leasehold improvements, refurbishment, expansion, renovation, or construction of a building, including acquisition of land or buildings.
Eligible geographic areas
- Agglomeration of Québec (including the cities of Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, and L’Ancienne-Lorette)
- Wendake
Additional information
- The availability of funding is subject to the annual budget allocated for the program.
- Applicants with outstanding amounts owed to the City of Québec will have these amounts deducted from any grant awarded.
- Active funding from all City of Québec economic development programs is limited to a maximum of $500,000 over a two-year period.
- Receipt of financial assistance is not guaranteed even if eligibility requirements are met, as decisions depend on fund availability and financial needs assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Entrepreneurial grant Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Entrepreneurial grant. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Entrepreneurial grant?
The Entrepreneurial Grant offers up to $25,000 in funding to support the creation of new businesses or structured business transfers in the Québec City agglomeration and Wendake. Eligible activities include startup expenses, professional services, equipment purchases, marketing, and operational costs required to launch or transfer a business.
How much funding can be received?
Entrepreneurial grant Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $25,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Entrepreneurial grant program?
To be eligible for the Entrepreneurial grant program, you must:
First incorporation for a product-based business.
Located in Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette, or Wendake.
Must secure at least $15,000 in additional funding from a financial institution, public body, or equivalent crowdfunding.
What expenses are eligible under Entrepreneurial grant?
Creation of a first corporation (incorporated business) by one or more individuals.
Start-up of a social economy enterprise, such as a nonprofit or cooperative, with primarily commercial activities.
Establishment of a sole proprietorship or general partnership majority-owned by Indigenous individuals and located in Wendake.
Structured business succession by acquiring at least 25% voting shares or fair market value assets to transfer leadership and ownership.
Where is the Entrepreneurial grant available?
The Entrepreneurial grant program is available Capitale-Nationale, Quebec.
Is the Entrepreneurial grant a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Entrepreneurial grant is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Entrepreneurial grant?
Entrepreneurial grant is funded by Quebec City