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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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

$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

$45,000

Montreal

Feasibility study for establishing a new technology hub

$35,000

Calgary

Site selection study for a new industrial park

$30,000

Quebec City

Market analysis for the expansion of an organic farm cooperative

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

grant_single_labels|contact

aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com

1 844 474-6367

Apply to this program

Programme ESSOR − Volet 1: Appui à la Concrétisation de Projets d'Investissement

The Programme ESSOR - Volet 1 provides financial support for feasibility studies and related diagnostics to help Quebec enterprises accelerate their investment projects, thereby boosting productivity and competitiveness. The programme aims to foster eco-responsible practices and encourages applications by March 31, 2025.

Detailed Explanation of Programme ESSOR – Volet 1: Appui à la Concrétisation de Projets d'Investissement

Investissement Québec, in collaboration with the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, has introduced Programme ESSOR – Volet 1 as a strategic initiative to bolster investment projects within Quebec. Specifically, this programme seeks to provide enterprises with the financial support necessary to conduct thorough feasibility studies and diagnostic evaluations that ascertain the viability and impact of their proposed investments. This grant is designed to enhance the productivity, competitiveness, and eco-responsibility of Quebec-based businesses.

Objective of the Programme

The ESSOR programme aims to achieve several strategic objectives to foster a more robust and competitive business environment in Quebec:

Accelerate Investment Projects: By providing financial aid for feasibility studies, the programme aims to expedite the realization and implementation of investment projects.
Enhance Productivity and Competitiveness: The programme supports enterprises in making informed decisions about investments that can improve their productivity and competitive positioning.
Encourage Eco-responsibility: Enterprises are urged to adopt sustainable and eco-responsible practices in their projects.

Eligible Clientele

The programme is open to a broad spectrum of businesses operating within the Quebec territory. Eligible applicants include:

For-Profit Enterprises: Legally constituted companies conducting continuous or regular commercial operations in Quebec.
Social Economy Enterprises: Enterprises that meet the definition of social economy organizations under Quebec law, provided that at least 40% of their financial viability derives from autonomous revenues generated from economic activities.
Foreign Enterprises: Companies not initially registered in Quebec are eligible if they commit to establishing operations within 12 months of project approval.

Ineligible Enterprises

Certain types of enterprises are explicitly excluded from eligibility, including:

Enterprises registered on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA).
Enterprises on the list of non-compliant companies with francisation processes.
Enterprises under bankruptcy protection or subject to financial insolvency laws.
Holding companies and enterprises primarily engaged in activities such as weapon production, fossil fuel extraction, gambling, and exploitation of sexual services.

Eligible Sectors of Activity

While the programme covers nearly all sectors, certain exclusions apply. Typically ineligible sectors include primary industries like agriculture and forestry, mining, real estate services, construction, and public administration. However, certain exceptions exist, such as the inclusion of industrial-scale farming like greenhouse cultivation.

Eligible Projects and Expenses

The Programme ESSOR – Volet 1 focuses on funding specific types of projects and expenses that align with its strategic objectives. Eligible projects primarily include:

Feasibility Studies: These studies are essential for analyzing and evaluating the technical and economic parameters of projects related to the establishment, modernization, or expansion of enterprises. Examples include market analyses, site selection studies, and assessments of processes and technologies.

Eligible expenses include:

Professional Fees: Payments made to consulting firms in accordance with government norms.
Travel and Accommodation Costs: Expenses linked to the project following government reimbursement rates.
Purchase of Specialized Information: Costs related to acquiring necessary market analyses and statistics.

Ineligible Expenses

The programme does not cover certain types of expenses, such as:

Expenses incurred prior to the submission of the application.
Capital expenditures and amortization costs.
Internal company costs, such as salaries.
Debt servicing and repayment costs.
Sales taxes.

Financial Support

The financial aid provided under this programme is non-repayable and calculated based on eligible expenses. Key considerations include:

Maximum Aid Rate: Up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a funding ceiling of CAD 50,000 per project and up to CAD 250,000 for certain industries like aluminum manufacturing and processing.
Private Contribution: A minimum private sector contribution of 50% of eligible expenses is required. This can come from private investments or the company’s own funds.
Cumulative Government Aid: Cumulative aid, including both refundable and non-refundable contributions, must align with set limits. Non-refundable aid is considered at 100% of its value, while refundable contributions are considered at 50%.

Project Application and Evaluation Process

The application process for Programme ESSOR – Volet 1 involves several steps to ensure a rigorous evaluation and selection:

Prequalification: Potential applicants must first verify their project's eligibility by using the prequalification tool available on the Investissement Québec website.
Document Preparation: Applicants need to compile and submit all necessary documentation, including a detailed project description, financial statements, and offers of service from consultants.
Submission: Applications must be sent electronically to Investissement Québec.
Receipt Confirmation: Applicants will receive an automated acknowledgment of receipt.
Evaluation: Investissement Québec will conduct a thorough evaluation based on criteria such as project relevance, governance quality, project feasibility, and potential economic impact.
Decision Notification: Applicants will be informed of the decision through a formal notice. Successful applications will proceed to the drafting and signing of the letter of offer.

Required Supporting Documentation

Applicants must include a variety of supporting documentation with their application to ensure a complete submission. Mandatory documents include:

Completed application form.
Detailed description of the enterprise and project.
Financial statements for the past two years or projected financials for startups.
Offers of service from consulting firms.
Proof of compliance with language and employment equality programs, if applicable.
Additional documents may be required based on the specific nature of the project.

Conclusion

The Programme ESSOR – Volet 1 offers a significant opportunity for enterprises looking to invest in their growth and modernization while promoting eco-responsible practices. By providing financial aid for feasibility studies and related diagnostics, the programme aims to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of Quebec-based businesses, ensuring their long-term success in the market. Enterprises interested in this programme should carefully review the eligibility requirements, prepare a thorough application, and submit it to Investissement Québec for evaluation.

ESSOR – Part 1A

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