How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

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

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

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

For-profit and social economy businesses Be located in Quebec Have 250 employees or fewer Have a revenue above $2.5 million Have a digital transformation project

ESSOR – Component 1B

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QC, Canada

Support for investment projects through digital transformation

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grant_single|openingDate April 24, 2025

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Grant and Funding

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Investissement Québec (IQ)

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The ESSOR program – Component 1B offers non-repayable financial assistance that can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, for a maximum of $20,000, to support the realization of digital diagnostics, digital plans, implementation plans, and system selection. This grant aims to accelerate digital transformation and the realization of investment projects by businesses in Quebec.

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Non-repayable contribution covering up to 50% of eligible project expenses.
Cumulative government assistance may not exceed 80% of eligible expenses.
Minimum and maximum funding: Up to $20,000 per application for the duration of the program.
A minimum of 20% private funding is required, which may be provided in cash or from the company's own funds.

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Conducting a digital diagnosis and a digital plan.
Conducting a digital diagnosis, a digital plan, an implementation plan, and a selection of digital systems (including artificial intelligence).
Choosing technological solutions within the framework of implementation, provided that a diagnosis and a digital plan have been previously carried out under sub-component 1B.

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$ 15,000

Developing a strategic digital transformation plan for growth

$ 18,000

Designing a digital architecture for retail operations

$ 16,000

Conducting a digital diagnostic for supply chain optimization

$ 15,500

Evaluating digital tools for enhanced agricultural processes

$ 14,000

Implementing a digital plan in small manufacturing firm

$ 17,000

Creating an advanced digital diagnostic for hospitality industry

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Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and business activities.

The applicant must be a for-profit corporation legally constituted.
The applicant can be a social economy enterprise as defined by the Quebec Social Economy Act, with financial viability relying on more than 40% from autonomous revenues from the last financial year.
Only businesses with 250 employees or fewer, with a minimum annual revenue of $2.5 million, are eligible.
The business must be registered in Quebec, have an establishment in Quebec, and actively conduct commercial operations on a continuous or regular basis in Quebec.
Foreign enterprises must be registered in Quebec and commit to conducting continuous or regular commercial operations in Quebec within 12 months following the project authorization.
Applicants are not eligible if they are listed in the Quebec Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA), including subcontractors involved in the project.
Applicants are not eligible if listed as non-compliant in the francization process by the Office québécois de la langue française.
Applicants are not eligible if they have defaulted on previous financial aid obligations from any Quebec government ministry or organization in the two years preceding the financial aid request.
State corporations, entities controlled by municipal, provincial, or federal governments, or entities majoritarily owned by a state corporation are not eligible.
Applicants under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act are not eligible.
Holding companies are not eligible.
Applicants with ethical behaviors potentially tarnishing the integrity and probity of Quebec's government, or by association, are not eligible.
Applicants primarily involved in the production or distribution of weapons are not eligible.
Applicants involved in fossil fuel exploration, extraction, refining, except those transitioning to a low-carbon economy, are not eligible.
Applicants involved in gambling activities such as casinos, bingo halls, or gaming terminals are not eligible.
Applicants engaged in violent games, combat sports involving live species, racing, or similar activities are not eligible.
Applicants involved in sexual exploitation activities such as erotic bars, escort agencies, erotic massage salons, or swinger clubs, and the production of pornographic material are not eligible.
Applicants involved in the production, sale, or services related to tobacco or drugs, with exceptions for cannabis and industrial hemp-related activities, are not eligible.

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For-profit companies legally constituted
Social economy enterprises functioning collectively as defined by Quebec's Social Economy Act, with at least 40% of their financial viability based on autonomous revenue from their economic activities during the last fiscal year

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Companies temporarily or permanently listed in the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA), including subcontractors involved in the project who are listed in RENA.
Companies listed as non-compliant with the francization process by the Office québécois de la langue française.
Companies that have defaulted on financial aid obligations from a Québec ministry or government body in the past two years after being formally notified.
Crown corporations or companies directly or indirectly controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal), municipal entities, or companies majority-owned by a Crown corporation.
Companies under protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Holding companies (portfolio companies).
Companies whose ethical conduct could tarnish the reputation for integrity and probity of the Québec government.
Companies primarily engaged in the production or distribution of weapons.
Companies involved in exploration, extraction, drilling, production, or refining of fossil fuels (such as oil and thermal coal), except for activities supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Companies involved in gambling, such as casinos, bingo halls, and gaming terminals.
Companies involved in the production or operation of violent games, combat sports involving living beings, racing, or similar activities.
Companies engaged in the sex industry, such as erotic bars, escort agencies, erotic massage parlors, swingers' clubs, or pornography production.
Companies involved in the production, sale, or services related to tobacco or drugs, except for activities related to cannabis and industrial hemp.

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Professional fees of an auditor-accompanist (member of the Quebec Digital Auditors Consortium or an independent auditor-accompanist).
Travel expenses in accordance with Quebec government management policy regulations, including transportation, lodging, and meals.

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Companies registered in Quebec
Companies with an establishment and commercial operations in Quebec

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Relevance of the project: Contribution to the achievement of the program's objectives.
Contribution to the emergence, growth, and expansion of the company.
Quality of project governance: Expertise and competencies of managers and key employees.
Capacity of the company to complete the project (financial, human, and technical resources).
Quality of the project: Quality of strategic planning.
Realism of the project's financial structure and proposed timeline.
Financial support from partners and their level of commitment to the project's financial framework.
Potential impacts of the project on profitability, productivity, and competitiveness of the company.
Incentive nature or necessity of the financial aid.
Alignment between the project and the company’s business model.

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Prequalification

Check the eligibility of your project by filling out the prequalification form on the Investissement Québec website.

Reading the guide

Read the application presentation guide to understand the requirements and better prepare your file.

Gathering of mandatory documents

Gather the documents mentioned in section 7, such as the service offer, the CV of the accompanying auditor, and the strategic planning.

Registration and preparation of the application

Sign up for the services of MÉIÉ on ClicSEQUR Enterprises.
Fill out the ADN 4.0 form and the financial assistance application form for the ESSOR Program − Component 1B.
Download and attach the required forms, such as "Identification of the Board of Directors’ Representative and Declarations and Consent."

Transmission of the request

Submit the completed and signed form via the ClicSEQUR Enterprises platform along with all the required documents.

Confirmation and follow-up

Receive an automated acknowledgment once the request has been submitted.
Track notices of opening, assignment, and decision throughout the process.

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A French-language website is required for applicant companies.
A strategic planning document is required, including SWOT analysis, mission, vision, and main challenges for the next three years.
All required documents must be provided at application, and incomplete submissions will be rejected without review.
It is possible that additional documentation may be requested at any point during the assessment process, and timely response is mandatory.