Grants for women entrepreneurs

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants for the J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants for the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs are businesses where at least 50% of the company is owned by a woman or a group of women, and are either incorporated private companies or social economy enterprises such as NPOs, General Partners, and cooperatives. The entity must have been constituted for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years. The head office of the entity must be located in Québec, and the entrepreneur must reside in Québec and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Businesses ineligible include those related to discriminatory activities, recreational drugs, bars, or discotheques, among others, and the main value-added activities of the business must occur within Québec. Only women founders or co-founders can apply for the social economy enterprises.

Who is not eligible

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. It aims to support businesses that align with its community-oriented and innovative objectives.

• Applicants not released from a bankruptcy judgment.
• Projects of a discriminatory nature.
• Projects of a sexual, religious, or political nature.
• Ad hoc event projects.
• Projects related to illicit or recreational drugs.
• Bar or discotheque projects.
• Student projects, including internships and university projects.
• Research and development projects.
• Self-employed workers.
• Projects for which the main value-added activities are outside Québec.
• Projects where the main activities are retail sales.

Eligible expenses

This grant supports innovative projects led by women entrepreneurs in various fields, including cultural, creative, processing, manufacturing, and technological innovation. The eligible projects are designed to contribute to economic development and social impact in these sectors.

• Projects in architecture, design, digital arts, literature and publishing, museology, theatre arts, visual and audiovisual production, and visual arts.
• Initiatives in any sector related to processing and manufacturing.
• Advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology/health, electronics, engineering, information and communications technology, quantum technologies, and robotics.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is targeted specifically at businesses and entrepreneurs based in Québec, Canada. The eligibility criteria focus on ensuring recipients are integral to the local economic ecosystem within this province.

• Businesses with their head office located in Québec.
• Entrepreneurs residing in Québec.

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

• The quality and soundness of the business model.
• Viability and coherence, including consolidation/growth potential and partnerships.
• The distinctive and innovative nature of the project.
• The social impact of the business.
• Demonstration of the grant’s value added in the project.

• Step 1: Review Eligibility and Application Guide
• Ensure your business meets all eligibility requirements, such as ownership structure, operational duration, and location.
• Consult the electronic application guide for detailed instructions on the application process.
• Step 2: Create a User Account
• Visit the Foundation’s electronic platform to create your user account.
• Fill out the registration form with your details.
• Step 3: Prepare Required Documents
• Compile the entrepreneur’s CV.
• Prepare the company’s organizational chart.
• Gather audited financial statements for the last 2 years, or last year if applicable, or review engagements.
• Create financial projections for 2 years including quarterly budgets, income statements, and balance sheets.
• Develop a roadmap for the next 18 months, incorporating financial and HR data.
• Produce a 4-minute video outlining your business plan, team, and grant impact.
• Step 4: Fill Out the Application Form
• Access the application form on the Foundation’s platform using your account.
• Enter all necessary information as per the guidelines.
• Attach all prepared documents to the application form.
• Step 5: Submit Your Application
• Submit your completed application on the Foundation’s electronic platform by the deadline, January 15, 2025.
• Ensure all information is accurate before submission.
• Step 6: Confirmation and Follow-up
• Receive confirmation of your application submission via email.
• Keep track of application status updates for further processing.

The Excellence Grants for the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs provide significant support for women-led businesses in Québec, facilitating growth and innovation within various sectors. These grants, commemorating the women founders of the J. Armand Bombardier Foundation, aim to recognize and promote the contributions of women entrepreneurs in the economic and community development space.

• Worth $10,000 each, the grants recognize annually the work of women entrepreneurs whose business is between 1 to 5 years old.
• The grants are divided into three categories: Janine Bombardier Grant for the cultural/creative field, Claire B. Beaudoin Grant for the processing/manufacturing field, and Huguette B. Fontaine Grant for the technological innovation field.
• A grant application must provide the entrepreneur’s CV, the company’s organizational chart, audited financial statements, financial projections, a roadmap for the next 18 months, and a 4-minute video clip.
• All eligible businesses must have their head office and main activities based in Québec.
• Applications are evaluated based on the quality of the business model, viability, consolidation/growth potential, community roots, and social impact.