ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité) - QC - Canada

ESSOR – Component 2 (Chantier productivité)

grant_single|update April 18, 2025
QC, Canada
Boost Quebec business productivity through strategic financial support

grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|minCount
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Manufacturing
  • Wholesale trade
  • Retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
  • Investissement Québec (IQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open

grant_single_labels|preview

ESSOR – Component 2 financially supports businesses in Quebec for investment projects focused on productivity, expansion, or technological transition. The program offers repayable contributions, non-repayable contributions, loan guarantees, and equity investments for activities such as the acquisition of equipment, technologies, or the modernization of infrastructure.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

  • Offers a repayable contribution as a preferred financial intervention.
  • Loan guarantee available, covering up to 70% of the net loss.
  • Equity participation may be considered.
  • Non-repayable contributions are also possible.
  • Management fees of at least 0.5% of the financial assistance amount are required.
  • An annual guarantee fee of at least 0.5% of the guaranteed amount is required.
  • Additional conditions may apply depending on the project specifics.

grant_single_labels|projects

  • Investment projects with at least $100,000 in eligible expenses aimed at increasing production capacity in Quebec through the creation of a new company, establishment of a foreign company in Quebec, or expansion of an existing Quebec-based company.
  • Modernization of an existing company already established in Quebec.
  • Technological transition projects.
  • Acquisition and implementation of digital solutions, which may require the development of a digital diagnostic.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 900,000

Implementing cloud-based business intelligence tools

$ 1,500,000

Expanding local artisanal cheese production facility

$ 2,000,000

Modernizing an eco-friendly clothing manufacturing plant

grant_single_labels|admissibility

  • The company must be for-profit or a social economy enterprise.
  • It must be registered and operate in Quebec.
  • Foreign companies must be registered and commit to conducting activities in Quebec within twelve months of project approval.
  • All sectors are eligible except for primary sectors (with exceptions), certain services, mining, quarrying, oil, gas, and other specified sectors.
  • For projects related to the acquisition of digital solutions, companies from all sectors are eligible.
  • Projects must have at least $100,000 in eligible expenses.
  • They must aim at increasing production, modernization, or technological transition.
  • There must be a demonstrated potential for productivity increase.
  • Projects must begin no later than six months after approval.
  • The project implementation must not exceed five years, with a preferred timeline of three years.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

  • For-profit companies
  • Social economy enterprises
  • Foreign companies registered in Quebec and committed to operating there within twelve months of project authorization
  • All sectors except for those explicitly excluded (e.g., primary sectors, certain industrial and service sectors)
  • Projects related to the acquisition and implementation of digital solutions across all sectors
  • Seasonal activities on territories like Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Capitale-Nationale with additional eligibility for primary sectors like commercial fishing, mariculture, and agriculture

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

  • Companies in the primary sector (agriculture, forestry, and fishing), with exceptions for greenhouse cultivation, conditioning activities for major projects, and forest exploitation.
  • Entities involved in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.
  • Businesses in real estate services and rental and leasing services.
  • Companies in construction, excluding those related to productivity increases.
  • Public utility services.
  • Enterprise and company management services.
  • Health care and social assistance services.
  • Education services.
  • Public administration.
  • Finance and insurance sectors.
  • Arts, entertainment, and recreation services.
  • Telecommunications services.
  • Broadcasting services.
  • Accommodation and restaurant services, except for lodging services related to tourism projects.
  • Other services, excluding public administration.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

  • Acquisition, construction, development or expansion of buildings.
  • Acquisition and implementation of equipment or software.
  • Expenses related to significant technological transitions such as cloud computing, business intelligence, and artificial intelligence.
  • Working capital expenses necessary for the execution of an investment project, applicable when financial assistance consists of a loan guarantee, a repayable financial contribution, or a forgivable loan, up to a maximum of 20% of total eligible expenses.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

  • Companies registered in and operating within Quebec are eligible.
  • For those with seasonal activities, eligible regions include Côte-Nord, Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and the Capitale-Nationale (MRC de Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, and Portneuf).

grant_single_labels|criteria

To be selected, projects submitted for this grant must successfully pass certain evaluation and selection stages based on defined criteria.
  • Anchoring of projects in ministerial and governmental strategies aimed at increasing productivity.
  • Potential for increasing the production capacity or modernizing the beneficiary company.
  • Demonstrated ability of the company to repay the loan.
  • The company's ability to improve its productivity or competitiveness through the project.
  • Financial justification of the project including the quality of management, production, and marketing.
  • The capacity to implement the project within a maximum period of 12 months for projects requiring significant investment.
  • Notable increase in payroll disbursed, verifiable during the first three years following the start of the project.

grant_single_labels|apply

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grant_single_labels|otherInfo

  • The grant includes both repayable contributions and non-repayable contributions, as well as loan guarantees with a reimbursement guarantee of up to 70% on the net loss.
  • Management fees (study fees) of at least 0.5% of the amount of the financial aid granted are required from the business.
  • Annual guarantee fees of at least 0.5% of the guaranteed amount are required.

Apply to this program

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