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ESSOR – Component 4 - Quebec - Canada
Open
Source verified July 23, 2026

ESSOR – Component 4

Supports Quebec companies in international expansion
Offered by
Investissement Québec (IQ)
Funding available
$ 10,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Quebec, Canada
Who can apply

Legally constituted for-profit enterprises registered in Quebec and carrying on activities there

See full eligibility

Overview

ESSOR – Component 4 supports legally constituted for-profit and social economy enterprises registered in Quebec to carry out structured internationalization projects abroad, with repayable or non-repayable support and loan guarantees. Eligible activities include acquiring goods-transit facilities, forming joint ventures, acquiring distribution networks, buying a company outside Quebec, or opening a commercial office or subsidiary abroad.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Complete an acquisition or business transfer
  • Access new markets
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
  • Up to 10% of project cost
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Quebec
Legal structures
  • For-profit business
  • Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • All groups

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Acquisition of installations for the transit of goods, such as warehouses and intermodal transshipment sites
  • Formation of joint ventures
  • Acquisition of distribution networks
  • Acquisition of a company outside Quebec
  • Opening of a commercial office or a subsidiary abroad outside Quebec

Documents Needed

  • A detailed description of the project and the financing structure
  • Financial statements for the last two years, and forecast financial statements if needed
  • Service offers and partnership agreements, if applicable
  • Proof of compliance with francization requirements, if applicable
  • A copy of the declaration of compliance with the Programme d’accès à l’égalité en emploi for a for-profit enterprise with more than 100 employees when the non-repayable contribution is $100,000 or more

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Legally constituted for-profit enterprises registered in Quebec and carrying on activities there
  • Social economy enterprises within the meaning of the Loi sur l’économie sociale, registered in Quebec and carrying on activities there

Who is not eligible

  • Enterprises mainly active in finance and insurance, management of companies and enterprises, accommodation and food services, the primary sector, mining and quarrying, oil and gas extraction, administrative and support services, real estate and rental and leasing, personal services, public services, health care and social assistance, arts, entertainment and recreation, or educational services are not eligible.
  • Retail businesses are not eligible unless they carry out preproduction activities, carry out postproduction activities, and have their head office in Quebec.
  • Enterprises listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA), including planned subcontractors listed in RENA for project work, are not eligible.
  • Enterprises that are not compliant with the francization process under the Charte de la langue française are not eligible; an enterprise with 25 employees or more in Quebec as of June 1, 2025 for at least six months must hold a certificate of francization or an eligible OQLF attestation and must not be on the Liste des entreprises non conformes au processus de francisation.
  • State-owned or government-controlled enterprises, insolvent enterprises, enterprises that defaulted on a prior Quebec government aid obligation in the previous two years, and enterprises active in controversial weapons, fossil fuels except activities supporting a low-carbon transition, gambling, violent games or combat sports, sexual exploitation, or tobacco or drug-related activities other than the stated Health Canada-authorized cannabis and industrial hemp activities are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

  • Acquisition of installations for the transit of goods, such as warehouses and intermodal transshipment sites
  • Formation of joint ventures
  • Acquisition of distribution networks
  • Acquisition of a company outside Quebec
  • Opening of a commercial office or a subsidiary abroad outside Quebec

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • The acquisition of production plants outside Quebec is not eligible.
  • Project activities must relate to new projects and not to installations already in place abroad, and share purchases are not eligible under an acquisition of a company outside Quebec.
  • Expenses incurred before the application filing date, including expenses covered by contractual commitments, are not eligible.
  • Expenses incurred more than 24 months before project approval, depreciation, internal company expenses, debt service, future borrowing repayment, capital losses, capital replacement, and payments made as capital are not eligible.
  • Sales taxes are not eligible.

How to apply

  • Contact your account manager to apply.
  • If you do not have an account manager, contact the Service d’accueil et d’information at 1 844 474-6367 or complete the form at the bottom of the page so an account manager can be assigned in your region.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applications are analyzed on a continuous basis, and only projects that pass eligibility and program analysis may receive assistance.
  • The Ministère or Investissement Québec may limit the number of selected applications to respect the budget envelope and available amounts.
  • Application processing is handled by Investissement Québec in collaboration with the Ministère, and the administration of assistance and disbursements is under Investissement Québec.
  • Any approved assistance must be set out in a financial assistance agreement specifying each party’s obligations and the conditions for payment.

Additional information

  • Investissement Québec administers this stream on behalf of the Government of Quebec.

Contacts

1 844 474-6367

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the ESSOR – Component 4 Program

What is the ESSOR – Component 4?

ESSOR – Component 4 supports legally constituted for-profit and social economy enterprises registered in Quebec to carry out structured internationalization projects abroad, with repayable or non-repayable support and loan guarantees. Eligible activities include acquiring goods-transit facilities, forming joint ventures, acquiring distribution networks, buying a company outside Quebec, or opening a commercial office or subsidiary abroad.

How much funding can be received?

ESSOR – Component 4 Funds up to 10% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the ESSOR – Component 4 program?

To be eligible for the ESSOR – Component 4 program, you must: The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit enterprise or a social economy enterprise. The enterprise must be registered in Quebec and carry on activities there.

What expenses are eligible under ESSOR – Component 4?

Acquisition of installations for the transit of goods, such as warehouses and intermodal transshipment sites Formation of joint ventures Acquisition of distribution networks Acquisition of a company outside Quebec Opening of a commercial office or a subsidiary abroad outside Quebec

Who can I contact for more information about the ESSOR – Component 4?

You can contact Investissement Québec (IQ) or by phone at 1 844 474-6367.

Where is the ESSOR – Component 4 available?

The ESSOR – Component 4 program is available the province of Quebec.

Is the ESSOR – Component 4 a grant, loan, or tax credit?

ESSOR – Component 4 is a Grant and Funding