Entrepreneurial grant

Q: How much funding can be received?

Entrepreneurial grant Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $25000 per project.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Entrepreneurial grant a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Entrepreneurial grant is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Entrepreneurial grant?

Entrepreneurial grant is funded by Quebec City

Q: 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.

Q: Where is the Entrepreneurial grant available?

The Entrepreneurial grant program is available the province of QC.

Q: Are startups eligible for the Entrepreneurial grant program?

Yes, startups are eligible to apply for the Entrepreneurial grant program.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Entrepreneurial grant program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Entrepreneurial grant program.

Last Update: August 22, 2025

Québec, QC

Supports new business creation and structured business succession in Québec

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $25,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

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

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

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.

Financing terms and conditions

Financial contribution of $10,000 per eligible person (shareholder), with a maximum of $25,000 for multiple eligible candidates, covering up to 50% of eligible project expenses; this may serve as a personal cash injection.
Maximum funding per social enterprise creation project is $25,000, covering up to 80% of eligible expenses for non-profit organizations.
The combined active funding from all City of Québec economic development programs is capped at $500,000 per two-year period, calculated at 100% of value for each aid granted.

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

The applicant must be establishing their first incorporated company in eligible sectors or taking over an existing business via structured acquisition.
Eligible projects include the creation of an incorporated company, a social economy enterprise, or an enterprise owned mostly by Indigenous persons and located in Wendake.
The applicant must be operating or planning to operate within the Québec City agglomeration (Québec, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, L’Ancienne-Lorette) or Wendake.
The company must be accompanied or will be accompanied by a recognized incubator, accelerator, or, for social economy enterprises, a recognized support structure.
The company must secure at least $15,000 in additional funding from a financial institution, public organization, or an equivalent amount through crowdfunding.

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

How to apply

Verify eligibility criteria

Review grant eligibility requirements for applicants and projects
Confirm your project type and location match allowed criteria

Prepare documentation

Gather required supporting documents (see financing application form)
Ensure no outstanding amounts are owed to the city
Obtain recommendation from recognized incubator/accelerator or support structure if required

Complete the application form

Fill out the Entrepreneurial Grant Application Form
Provide all information as specified in the form

Validate application completeness

Review the application and documents for completeness
Confirm compliance with all eligibility and documentation requirements

Submit the application

Submit the funding application form and supporting documents to the City of Québec as instructed

Await results

Wait for notification regarding the outcome of your funding application

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.

Apply to this program

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.