ESSOR – Part 1B
QC, Canada
Boost the realization of an investment project for your company by enabling the completion of digital diagnostics, digital plans, and an implementation plan.
grant_single_labels|summary
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
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- Investissement Québec (IQ)
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grant_card_status|closed
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The ESSOR Program - Component 1B aims to support the realization of investment projects in Quebec by providing non-repayable financial assistance for digital diagnostics, digital plans, and implementation plans. Projects must start within three months of their authorization and include activities such as diagnosing the company's digital maturity index and selecting technological solutions. The assistance can cover up to 50% of eligible expenses, with a cap of $20,000 per application.
grant_single_labels|projects
There are several projects and activities eligible for this grant under the Programme ESSOR - Volet 1B.
- Diagnostic and digital plan only
- Diagnostic, digital plan, and implementation plan
- Choice of technological solutions (implementation plan requires prior diagnostic and digital plan)
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$7,250
Granby
Conducting a comprehensive digital maturity diagnostic for a local dairy cooperative.
$9,000
Montreal
Developing a digital plan and implementation strategy for a bookshop.
$6,000
Quebec City
Creating a digital diagnostic and roadmap for a renewable energy startup.
$8,500
Sherbrooke
Conducting a digital audit and strategic plan for a nonprofit with autonomous revenue.
$4,000
Saguenay
Diagnosing digital maturity and developing a digital plan for a financial cooperative.
$8,750
Laval
Implementing a digital transformation plan for a social economy enterprise.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, applicants must be legally constituted profit-oriented companies or social economy enterprises in Quebec with specific financial criteria and adherence to ethical standards.
- Profit-oriented companies legally constituted.
- Social economy enterprises as per the Law on the Social Economy (RLRQ, chapter E 1.1.1).
- Enterprises with less than 250 employees and a minimum annual turnover of $2.5 million.
- Enterprises must be registered and operate in Quebec, or foreign enterprises must commit to business operations in Quebec within 12 months post-authorization.
- Non-eligibility includes companies involved in production/distribution of arms, fossil fuel energy, gambling, exploitation, and non-conformance to ethical standards or government obligations.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Programme ESSOR - Volet 1B provides financial support to legally constituted for-profit enterprises and social economy enterprises rooted in Quebec, focusing on those with a solid financial base and active commercial operations.
- For-profit businesses legally constituted
- Social economy enterprises with more than 40% of their financial viability based on autonomous revenue from economic activities
- Businesses with 250 employees or less
- Enterprises with a minimum annual revenue of $2.5 million
- Enterprises registered and operating in Quebec
- Foreign businesses registered in Quebec and committing to continuous or regular commercial operations within 12 months
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The grant has specific eligibility criteria that exclude certain types of companies from applying. Businesses involved in controversial or unethical sectors, under insolvency protection, or controlled by government entities, among others, are considered ineligible.
- Companies on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA)
- Companies on the list of businesses non-compliant with the Francisation process
- Companies that have defaulted on previous financial obligations to the government
- State-owned enterprises and those controlled by government entities
- Companies under insolvency protection laws
- Holding companies ("holdings")
- Companies involved in activities that may tarnish the image of the Quebec government
- Companies primarily engaged in the production or distribution of weapons
- Companies in fossil fuel industries, except those transitioning to a low-carbon economy
- Gambling operations
- Companies in violent gaming or animal combat sports
- Businesses in the sex industry
- Companies involved in tobacco or drug sales (excluding cannabis and industrial hemp)
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
There are eligible expenses for this grant. The eligible projects and expenses are related to digital diagnostics, digital plans, and implementation plans.
- Professional fees for a digital auditor-accompanist (member of the Consortium of Digital Auditors of Quebec or independent digital auditor-accompanist).
- Travel expenses in accordance with existing government norms stated in Quebec’s Management Policy Compendium.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
All eligible applicants must be legally constituted and carry out commercial operations actively in Quebec, Canada.
- Businesses must be incorporated and operate in Quebec.
- Foreign businesses must be registered and commit to conducting regular business operations in Quebec within 12 months of project approval.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria focus on the relevance, governance, quality, and potential impact of the project.
- Relevance of the project
- Contribution to the program's objectives
- Contribution to the emergence, growth, and expansion of the company
- Quality of project governance
- Expertise and competencies of the company's leaders and key employees
- Company's capacity to execute the project (financial, human, and technical resources)
- Quality of the project
- Quality of the strategic planning
- Realism of the proposed financing structure and timeline
- Financial support from partners and their level of engagement in the project’s financial arrangement
- Potential impact of the project on
- Profitability, productivity, and competitiveness of the company
- Other considerations during project analysis
- Incentive nature or necessity of the financial aid
- Alignment between the project and the company's business model
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Prequalification
- Ensure the eligibility of your project by completing the prequalification form on Investissement Québec's website.
- Step 2: Review the Guide
- Read the guide carefully to understand the requirements and better prepare your application.
- Step 3: Gather Required Documents
- Compile all mandatory documents listed in Section 7 of the guide, paying special attention to:
- The service offer must cover the topics presented in Annex A of the guide.
- If the auditor/accompanist is not a member of the Quebec Consortium of Digital Auditors, attach their CV.
- The strategic plan must cover the topics listed in Annex C of the guide.
- Step 4: Prepare and Submit the Application
- Register for MÉIÉ services on ClicSEQUR Enterprises to access the form.
- First, complete the ADN 4.0 via the provided link. Then, complete the financial aid application form for Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B.
- Ensure both steps are correctly completed and that each section of the form is detailed.
- Download the forms “Identification of the Board Representative and Declarations and Consent” and attach it to the duly completed and signed application form upon submission.
- Submit the form directly from the ClicSEQUR platform, ensuring it includes all the mandatory documents listed in Section 7 of the guide.
- Step 5: Request Processing
- Check Section 6 of the guide, which explains the request's processing steps and provides important additional information.
- Step 6: Eligibility of Expenses
- Expenses are eligible from the date of transmission of the request. Note that submitting a request does not guarantee financial aid.
- Step 7: Assistance and Inquiries
- For any questions related to the application submission, email soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com
- Submit additional information as requested and adhere to deadlines throughout the process.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
The grant supports businesses in Quebec by providing financial assistance to accelerate digital transformation and bolster investment projects, with a strong emphasis on adherence to economic standards. Specific criteria ensure that eligible applicants align with the program's strategic goals and adhere to certain operational rules.
- Prequalification is required by filling out a form on the Investissement Québec website.
- Financial support is for expenses incurred from the date of application transmission.
- Excludes funding for arms production, fossil fuel industries, gambling, and sexually exploitative activities.
- Enterprises must meet strict integrity standards.
- Only companies with a French-language website are eligible.
- Economic inclusion extends to socially focused enterprises with significant autonomous revenue.
- Detailed documentation is required, including financial statements and strategic plans.
- Analysis of applications is rigorous and may require additional information.
grant_single_labels|contact
soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com
1 844 474-6367
Apply to this program
Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B: Enhancing Digital Transformation
The Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B aims to foster digital transformation and investment projects for Quebec-based businesses by providing financial support for digital diagnostics, planning, and implementation strategies. Eligible companies can obtain up to 50% of project costs, with a maximum aid of $20,000 per project, to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Comprehensive Guide to Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B: Enhancing Digital Transformation
The Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B is a vital funding initiative designed to support Quebec-based businesses in their digital transformation journeys. This detailed guide will walk you through the essential aspects of the grant, eligibility criteria, key benefits, and the application process, ensuring you have all the necessary information for a successful application.
Objectives of the Programme
The primary objectives of the Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B are:
- Accelerating the realization of investment projects
- Facilitating digital transformation for businesses
- Promoting eco-responsible practices in business operations
This program encourages companies to undertake preliminary studies such as feasibility assessments and digital diagnostics to foster growth, productivity, and competitiveness while aligning with sustainable development goals.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B, businesses must meet specific criteria:
- Be a legally constituted, profit-focused company or an economic social enterprise with at least 40% of their revenue from autonomous activities.
- Employ 250 or fewer employees and have an annual revenue of at least $2.5 million.
- Be registered and actively conduct business operations in Quebec.
- Foreign enterprises must commit to regular commercial activities in Quebec within 12 months of project approval.
Certain exceptions apply, including businesses involved in industries such as weapons production, fossil fuels, gambling, sexual exploitation, and tobacco or drug-related services, among others.
Sectors and Projects Eligible for Funding
All sectors are eligible for digital diagnostics and planning projects under this grant. Eligible projects must commence within three months of approval and complete within twelve months. The types of projects that qualify include:
- Digital diagnostics and planning
- Digital planning and implementation strategies
- Technology solution selection (requiring prior digital diagnostics)
The programme covers expenses for professional fees of digital auditors, travel expenses in line with government norms, and other eligible costs beginning from the application submission date.
Financial Assistance
The grant provides non-repayable financial contributions of up to 50% of eligible project costs with a maximum aid of $20,000 per application. The funding must complement a minimum 20% private source contribution, which can include company funds or external private investments. The cumulative government assistance should not exceed 80% of total project costs, with various forms of financial aid considered.
Application Process
Follow these steps to complete your application:
- Prequalification: Ensure your project’s viability by completing the prequalification form on the official website.
- Review the Guide: Thoroughly read the Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B guide to understand requirements fully.
- Gather Documents: Collect all mandatory documents listed in the checklist, including detailed project descriptions, financial statements, service offers, and strategic plans.
- Submit Application: Register for MÉIÉ services on ClicSEQUR Entreprises, complete the ADN 4.0 form and financial assistance application. Ensure all sections are detailed and attach the necessary documents.
- Application Processing: Track your application status and respond to any additional information requests promptly. Eligible expenses are considered from the application submission date, but funding approval is not guaranteed.
Selection Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including:
- Project Relevance: Alignment with program objectives and potential for business growth and expansion.
- Project Governance: Expertise and capability of the company’s key personnel and their ability to execute the project.
- Project Quality: Strategic planning quality, realistic financing structure, and partner engagement.
- Project Impact: Expected improvements in profitability, productivity, and competitiveness.
Compliance with high integrity standards and language requirements for French-speaking websites is also assessed.
Required Documents
Applications must include various supporting documents:
- Detailed company and project description and financial structure.
- Recent strategic planning documents as per Annex C.
- Annual financial statements for the previous two fiscal years.
- Service offers, including project scope and consultant information as specified in Annex A.
- CV of the auditor if not part of the Consortium des auditeurs numériques du Québec.
- Identification and consent forms, compliance proof for language laws, and employment equity declarations for larger companies.
Project Execution and Reporting
Approved projects must adhere to the specific timelines and conditions outlined in the funding agreement. Continuous communication and potential modifications must be documented and approved in writing before incurring related expenses. The company must comply with reporting requirements, including submiting mid-term evaluations and final reports detailing the project outcomes and financial expenditures.
In conclusion, the Programme ESSOR – Volet 1B offers a significant opportunity for Quebec-based companies to enhance their digital capabilities and competitiveness. By following this comprehensive guide, businesses can prepare and submit a robust application, increasing their chances of securing necessary funding for their digital transformation projects.
