How much funding can be received?

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

What is the deadline to apply?

The program is accepting continuous intake

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

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

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

The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit business or a social economy enterprise, financially viable with at least 40% of income from independent activities in the last fiscal year. The company must have 250 or fewer employees and a minimum annual revenue of $2.5 million. The company must be registered and operate in Quebec, engaging in continuous or regular business activities.

ESSOR – Part 1C

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QC, Canada

Support for investment projects in Quebec

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Grant and Funding

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Investissement Québec (IQ)

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The Programme ESSOR − Volet 1: Appui à la concrétisation de projets d’investissement provides non-repayable financial assistance up to a maximum of $50,000 per project, aimed at accelerating digital transformation and increasing productivity for businesses in Quebec. Eligible activities include implementing projects derived from a digital action plan that focuses on productivity gains, process optimization, and the adoption of best business practices.

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The ESSOR – Part 1C grant provides structured financial support to facilitate investment projects with a focus on feasibility studies and digital diagnostics. The funding modalities are designed to ensure effective implementation and optimal fund utilization.

A non-repayable financial contribution is provided according to eligible expenses.
The aid is set at a maximum of 50% of eligible expenses for the first project, scaling down for subsequent projects to 40% and 30%, respectively.
A cumulative maximum of 50% in government aid is allowed concerning eligible expenses.
The maximum aid per project is capped at $50,000.
A minimum private source contribution of 50% towards eligible expenses is required, using private funds or the company’s own resources.
In calculating government aid, non-repayable aid considers 100% of its value, while repayable aid is valued at 50%.

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The ESSOR Part 1C grant focuses on supporting investment projects by implementing digital strategies that enhance productivity and adoption of best business practices. Eligible activities are aligned with digital transformation efforts derived from strategic planning.

Implementation of projects derived from the digital plan under sub-component 1B aiming at productivity gains and process optimization.
Activities supporting the adoption of best business practices through digital solutions.

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$ 50,000

Developing a mobile app to streamline customer service

$ 50,000

Automating production line for increased efficiency

$ 50,000

Implementing ERP system for inventory management optimization

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Eligibility for the Programme ESSOR – Volet 1 includes specific criteria regarding the business's status, size, and activities.

Businesses must be legally constituted for-profit entities or social economy enterprises as defined by the Loi sur l’économie sociale, with financial viability resting on at least 40% autonomous revenue from economic activities in the last fiscal year.
Eligible businesses must have no more than 250 employees and a minimum annual revenue of $2.5 million.
Businesses must be registered in Quebec, have a business location there, and conduct ongoing or regular commercial activities.
Foreign businesses must be registered in Quebec and commit to conducting regular commercial operations in the province within 12 months after project approval.
Businesses should not be listed ineligibly on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA) or be non-compliant with the francisation process by the Office québécois de la langue française.
Businesses must not have previously failed to meet obligations related to a prior financial aid from Quebec's government in the past two years.
State corporations or those controlled directly/indirectly by government or municipal entities are ineligible.
Businesses under the protection of bankruptcy laws or holding companies are not eligible.
Applicants must not compromise the image of integrity associated with the Quebec government through unethical practices.
Businesses involved in sectors such as arms production, fossil fuels, gambling, exploitive entertainment, or tobacco are not eligible.

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Eligible applicants for the Programme ESSOR Volet 1C include businesses legally constituted as for-profit enterprises or social economy enterprises with at least 40% of their last fiscal year's revenues from autonomous economic activities. Applicable only for businesses with 250 employees or less and an annual revenue of at least $2.5 million. These businesses must be registered and have a physical presence actively conducting operations in Quebec. Foreign businesses must commit to establishing ongoing operations in Quebec no later than 12 months post-project approval. Exclusion criteria encompass businesses barred from public contracts, non-compliant with francization processes, previously defaulted on obligations, under creditor protection laws, or involved in disallowed activities such as arms, fossil fuels, gambling, violent or sexual exploitative industries, and recreational drugs outside of cannabis and hemp sectors.

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Certain companies and industries are ineligible for this grant due to their status or activities. These restrictions are in place to ensure that funding supports responsible and compliant entities.

Companies listed on the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts (RENA) or having subcontractors listed on RENA.
Businesses on the non-compliance list for francization process, as published by the Office québécois de la langue française.
Enterprises that defaulted on obligations related to previous financial aid from any Quebec government ministry or organization within the last two years.
State-owned enterprises or those controlled by governmental or municipal entities.
Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Holding companies or investment societies.
Businesses with activities that could damage the integrity or image of the Quebec government.
Industries involved in arms production or distribution.
Fossil fuel-related activities unless aimed at transitioning to carbon-neutral solutions.
Gambling and lottery, including casinos and bingo halls.
Organizations involved in violent gaming, combat sports, and similar activities.
Sexually exploitative industries such as erotic bars or adult entertainment.
Tobacco or drug-related sectors, with exceptions for cannabis and industrial hemp-related interventions.

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Professional fees from external consulting firms in compliance with applicable governmental standards.
Travel and accommodation expenses related to the implementation of the project, in line with governmental standards.

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This grant is specifically available to companies operating within the province of Quebec. Organizations must be legally constituted and conducting commercial activities in Quebec to be eligible.

Businesses registered and operating in Quebec, Canada.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

The contribution to the attainment of the program objectives.
The contribution to the emergence, growth, and expansion of local entrepreneurship.
The expertise and competencies of the project leaders and key employees of the company.
The company’s capacity to execute the project, which includes financial, human, and technical resources.
The quality of the digital plan related to the project.
The realism of the proposed financing structure and timeline.
The financial support of partners and their level of commitment to the financial setup of the project.
The potential impact on the company’s profitability, productivity, and competitiveness.
The quality of jobs created or maintained by the project.
The incentive or necessity of the financial assistance requested.
The alignment between the project and the business model of the company.

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Here is some additional information about the Programme ESSOR – Volet 1C:

Applications must include a prequalification step using an online form.
All requests for modifications must be sent to Investissement Québec before expenses are committed.
There is a set format for an offer of service including detailed steps, costs, and expert qualifications.
Travel expense refunds are restricted to specified government-approved rates.
Requests that do not meet program criteria or are incomplete will be rejected automatically.