What is the deadline to apply?

The ESSOR Program - Component 1: Support for Investment Project Realization aims to accelerate the implementation of investment projects in Quebec by providing financial assistance for feasibility studies and preliminary diagnostics. Eligible activities include market analyses, site selection studies, technology evaluation, and regulatory assessments, with potential grants covering up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.

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This program is designed for companies operating in certain regions of Quebec, notably in areas where seasonal operations are a focus. The eligible areas are specifically chosen to foster economic growth in these regions.

Côte-Nord
Gaspésie−Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Bas-Saint-Laurent
Capitale-Nationale (MRC de Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est and Portneuf)

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$32,500

Regulatory assessment for developing a new healthcare facility

$27,500

Evaluation of financial technology adoption for a cooperative bank

$42,500

Study on the feasibility of launching a new retail chain

$45,000

Feasibility study for establishing a new technology hub

$35,000

Site selection study for a new industrial park

$30,000

Market analysis for the expansion of an organic farm cooperative

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Eligibility for this grant requires businesses to meet specific criteria related to their legal status, operations, and ethical compliance.

Businesses must be for-profit entities legally constituted, or social economy enterprises as per the Social Economy Act, with at least 40% of revenue from autonomous activities in the last fiscal year.
Businesses must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment there, and conduct ongoing or regular business operations.
Foreign businesses must register in Quebec and commit to continuous or regular business operations within 12 months post-project authorization.
Seasonal businesses from certain regions like Côte-Nord and Gaspésie−Îles-de-la-Madeleine are eligible within specified sectors including the primary sector.
Entities listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA), or violating official language policies, and those failing financial obligations to Quebec bodies in the last two years are ineligible.
State-owned corporations or those controlled by municipal, provincial, or federal governments, and entities under insolvency legislation are excluded.
Holding companies and organizations with ethically questionable practices that could tarnish government image are excluded.
Businesses primarily engaged in activities such as arms production, fossil fuel exploration, gambling, violent gaming, sexual exploitation, and tobacco or drug-related services (excluding cannabis) are ineligible.
Applications may be rejected if the applicant does not meet high standards of integrity expected from recipients of public fund-based financial assistance.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The eligible applicants for the Programme ESSOR − Volet 1: Appui à la concrétisation de projets d'investissement, specifically Volet A: Réalisation d’études de faisabilité, include the following:- For-profit enterprises legally constituted under the laws of Quebec or Canada.- Social economy enterprises as defined by the Act on the Social Economy (RLRQ, chapter E 1.1.1), with at least 40% of their financial sustainability deriving from autonomous revenues.- Foreign companies must be registered in Quebec and commit to conducting continuous or regular commercial operations in Quebec within twelve months following project authorization.- Seasonal businesses in certain regions (Côte-Nord, Gaspésie−Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and certain areas in Capitale-Nationale) including for-profit enterprises, cooperatives, and social economy enterprises.The following are not eligible:- Companies listed on the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts (RENA) or those having subcontractors listed under RENA for the project.- Companies on the list of non-compliant companies regarding francization by the Office québécois de la langue française.- Companies having defaulted on their obligations with government financial aid in the past two years.- State-owned enterprises or those controlled by government (municipal, provincial, or federal) entities.- Companies under protection from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.- Holding companies or enterprises with ethically questionable conduct affecting the Quebec government's image.- Companies primarily involved in arms production/distribution, fossil fuel industries, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, and certain hazardous goods or services.

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This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed towards entities that align with the objectives of productivity and eco-responsibility in Quebec.

Companies registered on the Public Contracts Restricted Register (RENA), including their subcontractors.
Companies non-compliant with the Quebec Office of the French Language's francization process.
Companies that have defaulted on obligations related to prior financial assistance from the Quebec government.
State-owned enterprises or those directly/indirectly controlled by municipal, provincial, or federal governments.
Companies protected under insolvency laws like the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Holding companies.
Companies engaged in unethical activities potentially damaging to the Quebec government's image.
Companies involved in weapons production or distribution.
Businesses focused on fossil fuel-related activities unless transitioning to low-carbon initiatives.
Entities operating in gambling or adult entertainment sectors.
Companies engaged in the tobacco or drug trade, except those related to cannabis and industrial hemp.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The eligible projects for this grant focus on conducting feasibility studies to evaluate the technical and economic parameters of potential business ventures. These studies facilitate decision-making processes for investing in Quebec and aim for substantial project outcomes.

Conducting market analyses.
Feasibility studies related to projected investments, including site selection analyses.
Studies evaluating processes or technologies and the rights to their use.
Analyses related to the regulatory and legal framework.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Eligible expenses for this grant include those associated with conducting feasibility studies necessary for investment projects.

Professional fees for external consultants that comply with Quebec government standards.
Travel and accommodation costs linked directly to the project, adhering to Quebec government standards.
Expenditures for purchasing specialized and necessary information for the project's realization, such as market statistics and analyses.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the program's objectives, including the project's relevance, the quality of governance, the quality of the project itself, and the potential impacts on the business’s performance and employment quality.

Contribution to the attainment of the program objectives.
Contribution to the emergence, growth, and expansion of the enterprise.
Expertise and competencies of the project leaders and key employees.
Capacity of the enterprise to execute the project, considering financial, human, and technical resources.
Consistency with the business model of the enterprise.
Realism of the financial structure, proposed timeline, and financial projections if it’s a startup project.
Financial support from partners and their commitment level in the financial setup of the project.
Potential impact on the profitability, productivity, and competitiveness of the enterprise.
Quality of jobs created or affected by the project.
The incentive nature or the necessity of financial aid.
Alignment between the project and the business model of the company.
A French version of the company's website is required.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Prequalification
- Ensure the eligibility of your project by completing the prequalification process on the Investissement Québec website.
Step 2: Read the Guide
- Thoroughly read the guide to understand the requirements and better prepare your application.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Assemble all compulsory documents listed in section 7 of the guide.
- Ensure the service offer covers all sections in Annex A.
- Complete and sign the ESSOR Program Form - Section 1A with "Declarations and Consent".
Step 4: Prepare Application
- Provide a detailed description of your company and project.
- Explain how the project integrates into your business model, highlighting its benefits and opportunities.
Step 5: Submit Application
- Submit your application electronically to aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com.
- Include all mandatory documents specified in section 7 of the guide.
- Ensure your application is complete using the checklist before submission, as incomplete applications will be rejected.
Step 6: Application Processing
- Refer to section 6 of the guide for information on the application process.
- Understand key steps and what to expect during the evaluation phase.
Step 7: Expense Eligibility
- Expenses are eligible from the submission date.
- Note that an aid approval does not guarantee reimbursement beyond expenses incurred after receiving the application.
Step 8: Questions and Assistance
- For questions regarding the application process, contact soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com.
- Be prepared to furnish additional information if requested during the review process and adhere to deadlines.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Other than the primary guidelines and steps for application, there are several miscellaneous details relevant to the ESSOR Programme Section 1A.

The prequalification stage is mandatory and crucial to ensure project eligibility.
All documents, including the service offer and application form, must be submitted in French.
The submission must include detailed descriptions of the company, the project, and its integration into the business model.
Specific financial documentation such as the last two years' financial statements is required.
The application must be submitted electronically, along with all required documents, to aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com.
The project start date must be within 3 months after authorization and should not exceed 12 months after the start date.
Eligible expenses include professional fees, travel expenses, and costs related to purchasing specialized information.
Financial support will be a non-repayable contribution, with a maximum government assistance rate of 50% of eligible expenses.
The applications will be evaluated based on the project's relevance, governance quality, project quality, and potential impacts.
An integrated French-language website is required for the company.
Additional financial aid beyond the initial approved amount will not be provided for cost overruns.
Any project modification requests must be submitted in writing before incurring expenses.

grant_single_labels|contact

aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com

1 844 474-6367

Apply to this program

The ESSOR Program: Supporting Investment Projects in Québec

The ESSOR Program's Volet 1, specifically dedicated to supporting the realization of investment projects through feasibility studies, is a financial initiative designed to boost productivity and competitiveness in Québec-based enterprises. This program aims at encouraging sustainable practices while facilitating economic growth by helping businesses undertake crucial pre-investment feasibility studies.

In-Depth Overview of the ESSOR Program's Incentives and Benefits

The ESSOR Program, managed collaboratively by Investissement Québec and the government’s Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy, emphasizes strategic investment by supporting feasibility studies pivotal to project realization. This program's goal is not only to accelerate the implementation of investment projects but also to encourage eco-responsible practices and innovation in technologies essential for enhancing productivity and competitiveness in Québec.

Eligible beneficiaries include for-profit enterprises and social economy businesses operating with a significant portion of autonomous revenue from the last financial year. These companies must either hold a strong establishment presence in Québec or guarantee active commercial operations within a specified period post-application approval. The program is open to a vast array of sectors, excluding certain primary industries unless they meet exceptional project criteria like higher-value greenhouse projects or major conditioning activities.

The program aims to facilitate decision-making regarding investment in Québec, providing financial support up to 50% of eligible expenses for feasibility studies. This coverage assists organizations in better understanding and planning their investment projects by conducting various analytical and evaluative studies. Such studies may include market analyses, site selections, technological evaluations, and regulatory legal assessments. These activities help ensure that projects not only start timely within three months of approval but also focus on achievements within a year from the project's initiation.

Financial assistance from the ESSOR Program is non-repayable, ensuring that businesses can invest in initial studies without the burden of repayment, enhancing their feasibility in larger-scale economic endeavors. The program imposes criteria of private source contributions, requiring at least half of the expenditure to be covered by non-public funds, thus ensuring a shared commitment to the project’s success.Furthermore, the program ensures rigorous review processes evaluating criteria such as project relevance to program goals, governance quality, and broader economic impacts like enhancing job quality and competitiveness. Adherence to these criteria guarantees that the limited financial resources are efficiently allocated to projects with high potential returns and broad economic benefits.

Investissement Québec plays a crucial role in managing applications by issuing advisories at significant application stages — from opening acknowledgments to decision notifications. This structured approach ensures effective communication and transparency throughout the allocation process. While the program offers substantial support, it also places a premium on integrity, ensuring that beneficiaries adhere to ethical standards and sustainability principles.

Overall, the ESSOR Program serves as a vital catalyst for companies in Québec aiming to cultivate actionable investment proposals that contribute to the regional economic landscape. By fostering rigorous pre-investment evaluations, the program not only supports current economic objectives but also aligns with broader sustainable development goals, ensuring its strategic role in the province's economic ecosystem.