How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 45% of admissible expenses, capped at $27000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the ESM — Digital Acceleration?

ESM — Digital Acceleration is funded by Économie du Savoir Mauricie (ESM)

What are ESM — Digital Acceleration's eligibility criterias?

The business must be established for profit-making purposes. The business must be located in Mauricie or have a project being implemented for a subsidiary located in Mauricie. The business must operate in the manufacturing, information technology (IT), or business-to-business (B2B) service sectors.

ESM — Digital Acceleration

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Mauricie, QC

Boost your business's digital maturity with non-repayable funding

ESM — Digital Acceleration at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $27,000
Up to 45% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Professional, scientific and technical services

Grant Providers

Économie du Savoir Mauricie (ESM)

Program status

Closed

Overview of the ESM — Digital Acceleration program

The grant offers non-repayable financial support of up to $27,000 annually, aiming to boost the digital maturity of businesses by adopting Industry 4.0 practices. Eligible activities include strategic digital planning, process optimization, and technological solution implementation.

Financing terms and conditions

This grant offers a non-repayable financial contribution designed to assist businesses in enhancing their digital maturity as part of the Digital Transformation Offensive. The financing modalities are designed to support specific stages of strategic digital adoption and implementation.

Non-repayable financial contribution up to $27,000 per year.
Financing covers 45% of eligible expenses, with a maximum limit of $60,000 for expenses.
For a project costing $25,000, the financial contribution would be $11,250.
For a project costing $60,000, the maximum financial contribution is $27,000.
Funding is subject to availability and eligibility does not guarantee financing.
Only external expert fees (interventions and coaching) qualify as eligible expenses.

Eligible projects & activities

This grant focuses on advancing the digital maturity of businesses by supporting them in adopting industry 4.0 practices and moving towards becoming smart enterprises. Eligible projects span various stages of digital transformation and strategy implementation.

Strategic planning incorporating digital elements.
Integration of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Drafting and distributing a requirements document for purchasing equipment or technological solutions.
Automated predictive maintenance.
Assistance with the acquisition and implementation of technology such as robots, CRM, or ERP.
Integration of information technologies and data interconnection.
Utilization of artificial intelligence (AI).

Eligibility criteria of the ESM — Digital Acceleration program

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's location, profit orientation, and industry sector.

The company must be established with the aim of generating profits.
The company must be situated in Mauricie. If the headquarters is located outside this region, the project must be implemented in a subsidiary located in Mauricie.
The company must operate in one of the following industrial sectors: manufacturing, information technology (IT), or business-to-business (B2B) services.

Who is eligible?

Eligible businesses for the grant must be profitable enterprises located in the Mauricie region, or have a project implemented in a subsidiary located in Mauricie. Businesses must operate within one of the following industrial sectors: manufacturing, information technology (IT), or business-to-business (B2B) services. Ineligible sectors include retail, hospitality, and construction.

Who is not eligible

Certain types of companies and industries are not eligible for this grant to ensure alignment with specific strategic objectives. The intent is to focus resources on sectors that promote digital and technological advancement.

Companies involved in the retail industry.
Businesses operating in the restaurant and hospitality sector.
Enterprises within the construction industry.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers expenses related to obtaining external expertise and coaching for digital transformation projects.

Fees for external expertise and coaching provided by experts.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically targeted at companies situated in a defined geographical region to enhance local digital maturity advancement. Eligible companies must meet regional requirements to qualify for this grant program.

Companies based in Mauricie.

How to apply to the ESM — Digital Acceleration program

Make a request

Contact a person from the organization's team or fill out the online contact form to submit an innovation project.
If an expert has already been targeted for the project, send their service offer to expedite the processing of the request.
If the expert has not yet been chosen and you wish to access the network of experts, mention it in the request.

Processing the request

Receive an acknowledgment of receipt of the request within 48 hours of its submission.
Provide additional information if requested to assess needs and eligibility in the program.

Agreement or referencing

Obtain a response from the organization regarding the eligibility of the application.
If eligible, sign a non-repayable financial contribution agreement with the stakeholders.
If not eligible, be put in contact with appropriate partners or experts.

Execution of your project

Ensure the completion of the project within the planned deadlines with the help of a territorial advisor.
Maintain the quality of deliverables and a good relationship between the company and the selected expert.

Project assessment

Fill out a satisfaction questionnaire once the project is completed to assist in the evaluation of the support and the network of experts.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The grant application process begins with a contact form submission or direct contact with the team.
An official confirmation of receipt is issued within 48 hours of application submission.
An agreement will be signed with ESM and an expert if approved, ensuring clarity on roles and expectations.
Post-project completion, a satisfaction survey must be completed to assess project impact and provide feedback.
ESM can refer external experts if the applicant has not pre-selected one.
Financial aid is subject to fund availability, and having eligibility does not guarantee funding.
ESM assists in connecting eligible businesses with suitable experts based on project needs.

Apply to this program