What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

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

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

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

The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit enterprise or a social economy enterprise as per the Loi sur l’économie sociale, with over 40% financial viability based on autonomous revenue from their economic activities in the last fiscal year. The enterprise must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment there, and actively conduct continuous or regular business operations in Quebec. Foreign enterprises must be registered in Quebec and commit to conducting continuous or regular business operations in Quebec within 12 months after project authorization.

ESSOR – Part 1A

Q: How much funding can be received?

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

QC, Canada

Investment support for feasibility studies in Quebec

grant_single|update April 1, 2025

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grant_single|closingDateOctober 3, 2024
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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

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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 ESSOR program provides robust financial support for eligible investment projects through non-repayable contributions. The following detailed financial terms outline how funding is calculated and executed.

Financial aid is provided as a non-repayable contribution.
The financial support is contingent upon admissible expenses and adherence to a maximum aid rate.
A minimum contribution from private sources, covering 50% of admissible expenses, is mandatory.
For feasibility studies, the maximum rate of aid covers 50% of admissible expenses, with total government aid capped at 50% of expenses and a minimum and maximum aid range of $50,000 to $250,000 per project.
The aid maximum for equipment suppliers and processors in the aluminum sector reaches up to $250,000 per project.
Both direct and indirect government aids are included in the total aid computation, with repayable aid counted as 50% of its value and non-repayable aid at 100%.

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ESSOR Part 1A grant is designed to support investment projects through feasibility studies and digital diagnostics. The eligible activities focus on analyzing and evaluating parameters for potential business expansions in Quebec.

Analyses of market conditions relevant to the investment projects.
Conducting feasibility studies related to planned investments, including site selection analyses.
Evaluating process or technology adoption and rights of use for investments.
Performing analyses related to the regulatory and legal framework affecting investments.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 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

$ 47,500

Feasibility study for innovative agro-technology deployment

$ 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.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The ESSOR – Part 1A: Support for investment projects (feasibility studies and digital diagnostics) grant is available for legally constituted for-profit businesses and social economy enterprises, which rely on at least 40% of their financial viability from autonomous revenue, operating within Quebec or intending to establish active operations within Quebec.

For-profit businesses legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law.
Social economy enterprises as per the Law on the Social Economy in Quebec (RLRQ, chapter E 1.1.1).
Businesses must be registered, have an establishment, and conduct active commercial activities in Quebec.
Foreign businesses must commit to establishing continuous or regular commercial operations in Quebec within twelve months of project authorization.
Seasonal businesses legally constituted in designated regions like Côte-Nord, Gaspésie−Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent, or Capitale-Nationale.
Excludes businesses on the non-eligible contracts public registry, or in violation of Quebec’s language compliance or in financial default based on past Quebec government aid agreements.
Excludes state-controlled enterprises or those primarily dealing in non-compliant sectors like arms production, fossil fuel industries, gambling operations, and others.

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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.

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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.

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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.