What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

Who are the financial supporters of the ESSOR – Component 1A?

ESSOR – Component 1A is funded by Investissement Québec (IQ)

What are ESSOR – Component 1A's eligibility criterias?

Companies must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment there, and actively carry out a business activity. Social economy enterprises must derive 40% of their autonomous revenues from their economic activities. Foreign companies must commit to conducting business operations in Quebec no later than twelve months after the project authorization.

ESSOR – Component 1A

Q: How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50000 per project.

grant_single|update April 18, 2025

QC, Canada

Investment support for feasibility studies in Quebec

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grant_single|closingDate October 3, 2024

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Grant and Funding

grant_single|eligibleIndustries

Manufacturing
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

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Investissement Québec (IQ)

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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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The financial aid takes the form of a non-refundable contribution.
The maximum aid rate is 50% of eligible expenses per project.
The total amount of government aid cannot exceed 50% of eligible expenses.
The minimum amount of financial aid per project is $50,000.
The maximum amount of financial aid per project is $50,000, except for equipment suppliers and processors in the aluminum sector, where it can reach up to $250,000.
A minimum contribution from private sources equivalent to 50% of eligible expenses is required (in the form of equity or cash contributions).

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Feasibility studies aimed at analyzing and evaluating the technical and economic parameters of projects related to the establishment, modernization, or expansion of businesses.
Market analyses relevant to the investment projects.
Studies concerning projected investments, including site selection analyses.
Procedural or technological evaluations and assessments of usage rights.
Analyses relating to the regulatory and legal framework of the project.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 47,500

Feasibility study for innovative agro-technology deployment

$ 30,000

Digital platform expansion feasibility study for increased market reach

$ 50,000

Market analysis for electric vehicle components factory

$ 50,000

Regulatory study for coastal wind farm initiative

$ 50,000

Preliminary study on biomass plant integration potential

$ 49,000

Technology evaluation for smart water management systems

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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.

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Profit-oriented companies that are legally established
Social economy enterprises as defined by the Social Economy Act, with at least 40% of financial viability based on self-generated income from economic activities in the last financial year
Foreign enterprises legally registered in Quebec committed to conducting continuous or regular commercial operations in Quebec within twelve months of project authorization
For-profit enterprises, cooperatives, and social economy enterprises operating in specified regions such as Côte-Nord, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and certain areas of Capitale-Nationale, with limitations on sector activities

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

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.

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Professional fees for external consultants in compliance with government standards outlined in the Recueil des politiques de gestion du gouvernement du Québec.
Travel and accommodation expenses related to the implementation of the project in accordance with the government standards outlined in the Recueil des politiques de gestion du gouvernement du Québec.
Costs related to the purchase of specialized, relevant, and necessary information for the project (such as market statistics and analyses).

grant_single_labels|criteria

Pertinence of the project: Contribution to the attainment of the program objectives and to the emergence, growth, and expansion of the enterprise.
Quality of project governance: Expertise and competencies of the company’s key personnel and the organization's capability to execute the project, including financial, human, and technical resources available.
Quality of the project: Alignment with the company’s business model, realism of the financial structure, proposed timeline, and financial projections if it's a startup project.
Potential impact of the project on profitability, productivity, competitiveness of the enterprise, and on the quality of jobs created or affected.
Incentiveness or necessity of financial assistance: The financial aid's role in enabling or accelerating the project.
Alignment between the project and the company’s business model.

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Investissement Québec reserves the right to request additional information or supplementary information during the process.
Expenses for which the company has contractual commitments before the submission of the application will not be eligible.
It is important to ensure follow-up within the required deadlines for additional documents requested during the analysis.