How much funding can be received?

The J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants for the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs are designed to promote the role of women in various sectors of economic and community development. These grants recognize the excellence of projects led by women in the processing and manufacturing field, the cultural and creative field, and the technological innovation field. Each grant, worth $10,000, is intended for women entrepreneurs whose businesses are between one to five years old and based in Québec.

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This grant recognizes the outstanding achievements of emerging women entrepreneurs and provides strategic financial support to propel their growth. The focus is on recognizing projects between 1 to 5 years old, enhancing their potential for long-term success.

Award amount set at $10,000 for each recipient.
Annual recognition of audacious women entrepreneurs in specific fields.

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The J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants for the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs are aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs in Québec who lead innovative and impactful projects. These grants focus on fostering advancements in specific fields that demonstrate creativity, technological advancements, and social impact.

Projects in the cultural or creative field, including architecture, design, digital arts, literature and publishing, museology, theatre arts, visual and audiovisual production, and visual arts.
Initiatives in the processing and manufacturing sectors which demonstrate innovative approaches and have significant potential for growth.
Technological innovation projects, particularly those in artificial intelligence, biotechnology/health, electronics, engineering, ICT, quantum technologies, and robotics.
Projects that highlight unique business models with consolidation and growth potential rooted in the community.
Enterprises that create social impact and demonstrate how the grant will add value to their operations and outreach.

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$ 10,000

An immersive digital arts exhibit showcasing the province's cultural diversity through innovative virtual reality experiences

$ 10,000

Development of a sustainable quantum technology platform to enhance energy efficiency solutions for local businesses

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The eligibility criteria for the J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants for the Next Generation of Women Entrepreneurs are outlined below.

The entity must be an incorporated private company or a social economy enterprise (NPO, General Partners, and cooperatives) with at least 50% owned by a woman or a group of women.
The entrepreneur must be the founder or co-founder of the social economy enterprise.
The entity must have been constituted for at least one year but not more than five years (established between 2019 and 2023).
The entity’s head office must be located in Québec.
The entrepreneur must reside in Québec.
The entrepreneur must be a Canadian citizen or hold permanent resident status.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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.

Apply to this program

The J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants for Emerging Women Leaders

The J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants support and acknowledge female-led initiatives contributing to economic and community advancement. These grants reinforce the creative, cultural, and technological innovations spearheaded by women entrepreneurs in Quebec.

Unveiling the Impact and Future of Grants for Women Entrepreneurs

The J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants are fixtures in promoting the rise of future female entrepreneurs by evaluating and rewarding excellence in innovative endeavors across diverse fields. These grants underscore the significance of women's roles in transforming the cultural, processing, manufacturing, and technological innovation sectors. Catered explicitly for companies incorporated within Quebec and spearheaded by women, the program plays a crucial role in nurturing and accelerating ambitious projects that align with contemporary industry challenges and opportunities.

Understanding the transformative power of women-led business ventures, the grants are designed to magnify influence, driving strategic growth and societal impact through focused support. Supporting startups that address critical community needs and evolving market demands ensures these businesses not only survive but thrive by contributing significantly to the Quebec economy. This initiative inspires future generations by highlighting the accomplishments of its distinguished alumni, who continue to be impactful contributors in their respective industries.

The grant selection process is guided by a range of rigorous criteria: the uniqueness and inventive approach of the proposals, the practical viability and robustness of the business model, and the tangible social imprint that the businesses can offer. Moreover, this level of scrutiny guarantees that the selected projects represent the epitome of innovation and have sound expansion strategies.

This grant program is more than a financial resource; it's a catalyst for change, encouraging women entrepreneurs to cross frontiers by equipping them with tools and recognition needed to construct powerful networks and command the business sphere. With a spectrum of resources available for guidance, applicants are imbued with confidence and direction to elevate their initiatives further.

As the program garners applications, deliberations are managed by a distinguished committee of industry specialists and pioneers in women entrepreneurship, ensuring every project’s potential is fairly evaluated. Beyond the grants, a firm emphasis is placed on long-term community involvement and the creation of strategic partnerships, illustrating a holistic approach to nurturing promising enterprises.

Through robust financial backing, strategic mentorship, and community integration, the J. Armand Bombardier Excellence Grants offer a vital platform for aspiring women entrepreneurs looking to embed their vision in the economic fabric of Quebec. By supporting these women, the grant champions gender equality in entrepreneurship, fostering an era of inclusive growth and innovative progress.