grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|maxCount
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • Manufacturing
  • Wholesale trade
  • Retail trade
  • Transportation and warehousing
  • Information and cultural industries
  • Professional, scientific and technical services
  • Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
grant_single|grantors
  • Investissement Québec (IQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed

grant_single_labels|preview

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.

grant_single_labels|projects

Yes, there are projects and activities eligible for this grant, specifically under the realization of feasibility studies to support investment decisions in Quebec.
  • Market analyses
  • Studies related to projected investments, including site selection analyses
  • Studies for evaluating processes or technologies and their usage rights
  • Analyses related to the regulatory and legal framework
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$32,500

Ottawa
Regulatory assessment for developing a new healthcare facility.

$35,000

Calgary
Site selection study for a new industrial park.

$27,500

Toronto
Evaluation of financial technology adoption for a cooperative bank.

$42,500

Vancouver
Study on the feasibility of launching a new retail chain.

$30,000

Quebec City
Market analysis for the expansion of an organic farm cooperative.

$45,000

Montreal
Feasibility study for establishing a new technology hub.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for this grant, applicants must meet specific client and sector criteria, and their projects and expenses must align with certain guidelines. Ineligible applicants and projects are clearly outlined to ensure compliance with program objectives.
  • The eligible clients must be profit-oriented companies legally incorporated, or social economy enterprises with at least 40% of their financial viability based on self-generated revenue.
  • Companies must be registered in Quebec, have an established business presence, and engage in continuous or regular commercial operations within the province.
  • Foreign companies must commit to conducting regular commercial operations in Quebec within twelve months post-project authorization.
  • Seasonal activity companies on the Côte-Nord, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and specific areas of Capitale-Nationale are eligible, including primary sector activities in these regions.
  • Ineligible clients include those registered with non-compliance in various governmental registries, under legal protection acts, or primarily engaged in listed restricted industries such as arms production, fossil fuel activities, gambling, and others.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The eligible companies include for-profit organizations and social economy enterprises that meet specific criteria.
  • For-profit companies legally constituted.
  • Social economy enterprises as defined by the Social Economy Act.
  • Companies must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment there, and conduct active business operations.
  • Foreign companies must be registered in Quebec and commit to conducting regular business operations there within 12 months of project authorization.
  • Seasonal activity companies in the regions of Côte-Nord, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and specific areas of Capitale-Nationale are also eligible.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Yes, there are several types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
  • Companies registered, temporarily or permanently, in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA) and their subcontractors.
  • Companies on the list of non-compliant enterprises in the francization process, published on the Québec Office of the French Language website.
  • Companies that defaulted on their obligations under previous financial aid from the Québec government within the past two years.
  • State-owned enterprises or those controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal).
  • Companies under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
  • Holding companies.
  • Companies with ethical behaviors that could tarnish the image of the Québec government.
  • Companies involved in the production or distribution of weapons, fossil fuel extraction and refining, gambling, violent games, sexual exploitation, or tobacco and non-medically related drugs.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant.
  • Professional fees (external consulting firms) in compliance with current government standards.
  • Travel and accommodation expenses related to project implementation, in line with current government standards.
  • Costs related to acquiring specialized information essential for project realization (e.g., market statistics and analyses).

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The Program ESSOR Volet 1A is available to companies legally constituted in Quebec and requires these entities to actively conduct operations within the province. Foreign companies need to be registered in Quebec and commit to continuous business operations there within twelve months of project approval.
  • Côte-Nord
  • Gaspésie−Îles-de-la-Madeleine
  • Bas-Saint-Laurent
  • Capitale-Nationale (MRC de Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, and Portneuf)

grant_single_labels|criteria

Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Each application is analyzed based on the relevance, governance, quality, and potential benefits of the project towards achieving the program's goals.
  • Contribution to the achievement of the program's objectives
  • Contribution to the emergence, growth, and expansion of the business
  • Expertise and competence of the leadership and key employees
  • Company's capability to execute the project (financial, human, and technical resources)
  • Alignment with the company's business model
  • Realism of the proposed structure, timeline, and financial projections for start-up projects
  • Financial support from partners and their level of commitment
  • Impact on the profitability, productivity, and competitiveness of the business
  • Quality of jobs created
  • Incentive nature or necessity of financial aid
  • Compatibility between the project and the company's business model

grant_single_labels|register

  • Step 1: Préqualification: Ensure the eligibility of your project by completing the prequalification process on the website.
  • Step 2: Reading the guide: Carefully read the guide to understand the requirements and prepare your application better.
  • Step 3: Gathering mandatory documents: Collect all required documents mentioned in section 7 of the guide, including:
  • The offer of service must cover all sections presented in Annex A.
  • The ESSOR Program - Volet 1A form containing the "Declarations and consent" must be duly completed and signed.
  • Step 4: Preparing the application: Include a detailed description of your company, your project, and explain how it fits into your business model. Highlight the advantages and opportunities of the project.
  • Step 5: Submitting the application: Submit your application electronically to aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com, attaching all mandatory documents mentioned in section 7 of the guide. Ensure your application is complete; otherwise, it will be rejected.
  • Step 6: Application processing: Refer to section 6 of the guide for the application process details. This section explains the steps to follow and important information.
  • Step 7: Eligibility of expenses: Expenses are eligible from the date of submission of the application. Note that this does not guarantee financial assistance. If assistance is granted, only expenses incurred from the date of receipt of the application can be reimbursed.
  • Step 8: Questions and assistance: For any questions related to the application submission, write to soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com. Provide additional information if requested during the process and respect the deadlines. Incomplete or non-compliant applications will be rejected.

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