grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|maxCount
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
  • Investissement Québec (IQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed

grant_single_labels|preview

The ESSOR Program – Component 1 grant aims to support the investment projects of Quebec businesses, promoting the optimization of digital processes and the improvement of competitiveness. Eligible activities include the implementation of digital plans resulting from feasibility studies, aiming for productivity gains and the adoption of best business practices. The financial assistance takes the form of a non-repayable contribution, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses for the first project, with a maximum amount of $50,000 per project.

grant_single_labels|projects

Projects eligible for this grant must be derived from the digital plan (from the sub-component 1B process) and aim at productivity gains, process optimization, and adoption of best business practices.
  • Professional fees (external consulting firms) in compliance with current governmental standards
  • Travel and accommodation expenses related to project implementation, complying with current governmental standards
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$10,000

Montreal
Enhancing digital marketing strategies for a local artisan cooperative.

$17,500

Richmond
Enhancing digital healthcare record systems for a local clinic.

$15,000

Toronto
Optimizing digital logistics processes for a local manufacturing company.

$16,250

Calgary
Implementing a new digital financial tracking system for a cooperative financial institution.

$12,500

Vancouver
Developing a digital platform for community event management at a nonprofit organization.

$15,000

Toronto
Implementing a digital inventory management system at a local grocery store.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The grant is intended for Quebec-based small businesses and social economy enterprises aiming to enhance their productivity and competitiveness through investment projects. The project must contribute to the program's objectives and adhere to specific criteria.
  • For-profit businesses legally constituted
  • Social economy enterprises with a financial viability based on over 40% autonomous revenue from their economic activities
  • Businesses with 250 employees or fewer and an annual revenue of at least $2.5 million
  • Must be registered and operating continuously in Quebec or commit to doing so within twelve months
  • Must not be listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA)
  • Must not be included on the list of non-conforming enterprises per the Office québécois de la langue française
  • Must not have defaulted on obligations concerning prior financial aid from Quebec government bodies in the past two years
  • Cannot be a state-owned enterprise, a subsidiary of one, or under the protection of insolvency laws
  • Not involved in sectors related to arms production, fossil fuel extraction, gambling, violent games, exploitation, or tobacco and drug-related activities (except cannabis and industrial hemp)
  • Must have a French version of their website

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The following is a summary of the eligible clienteles:
  • For-profit companies legally constituted
  • Social economy enterprises which rely on more than 40% of their financial viability from self-generated revenue
  • Enterprises with no more than 250 employees and with a turnover of at least 2.5 million CAD
  • Companies must be registered in Quebec with a business operating continuously or regularly in the province
  • Foreign enterprises, if they register in Quebec and commit to conduct continuous or regular business operations within 12 months after project approval

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Below is a bullet point list of these ineligible companies:
  • Companies listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA).
  • Companies on the list of non-compliant companies published by the Office québécois de la langue française.
  • Companies that have defaulted on financial obligations to ministries or government organizations in the last two years.
  • State-owned enterprises or those controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal).
  • Companies under protection from the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
  • Holding companies.
  • Companies with unethical behavior that could tarnish the image of the Quebec government.
  • Companies primarily involved in arms production or distribution.
  • Companies involved in fossil fuel exploration, extraction, drilling, production, or refining (with some exceptions).
  • Gambling operations such as casinos, bingo halls, and gaming terminals.
  • Companies involved in violent games, combat sports involving living beings, races, and similar activities.
  • Companies involved in the sex industry (e.g., erotic bars, escort agencies, erotic massage parlors, swingers clubs, and pornography production).
  • Companies involved in the production, sale, and consumption services of tobacco or drugs (except for cannabis and industrial hemp related activities).

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The following expenses are considered admissible under the Volet 1C of the Programme ESSOR.
  • Professional fees for external consulting firms in compliance with current governmental standards.
  • Travel and accommodation expenses directly associated with the project implementation, also in conformity with current governmental standards.
  • Costs related to the purchase of specialized information

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant is eligible for companies that are legally constituted and registered in Quebec. Foreign companies must be registered in Quebec and conduct continuous or regular commercial operations in Quebec within twelve months of project authorization.

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. The criteria include:
  • Client eligibility: For-profit businesses or social economy enterprises registered and operating in Quebec.
  • Sector eligibility: All sectors except primary sector, mining, real estate, public administration, healthcare, education, finance, arts, telecommunications, accommodation, and others.
  • Admissible activities: Diagnostics, digital plans, and implementation plans for businesses with specific revenue and employee criteria.
  • Eligible expenses: Professional fees, specialized information purchase costs, and travel expenses.

grant_single_labels|register

  • Step 1: Préqualification
  • Ensure the eligibility of your project by completing the prequalification form on the Investissement Québec website.
  • Step 2: Reading the Guide
  • Carefully read the guide to fully understand the requirements and prepare your application.
  • Step 3: Gathering Mandatory Documents
  • Gather all mandatory documents listed in Section 7 of the guide, including:
  • An offer of service covering the rubrics in Annex A.
  • A digital plan updated within the last 24 months.
  • A duly filled and signed Programme ESSOR - Volet 1C form containing the "Declarations and Consent" section.
  • Step 4: Preparing the Application
  • Attach a detailed description of your company, your project, and explain how it integrates into your business model while highlighting the advantages and opportunities of the project.
  • Step 5: Submitting the Application
  • Submit your application to Investissement Québec via email at aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com, along with all mandatory documents mentioned in Section 7.
  • Step 6: Application Pathway
  • Refer to Section 6 of the guide for information on the pathway of your application, including critical steps and timelines.
  • Step 7: Eligible Expenses
  • Note that only expenses incurred from the date of application transmission are eligible for reimbursement if the grant is approved.
  • Step 8: Questions and Assistance
  • Contact soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com for any questions related to the application process and ensure timely submission of any additional requested information.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

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.

grant_single_labels|contact

aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com
1 844 474-6367
Apply to this program