archived
Impulsion SME
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Access to investment capital
Loans and Capital investments
Overview
Investment for start-up of young innovative businesses with growth potential located in Quebec region.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product
- Selling in a new market
- Marketing a product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Archived
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Activities funded
- Development and commercialization of innovative products or services.
- Expansion into high-potential markets with a defined growth strategy.
- Establishment of strategic partnerships or alliances to support business growth.
- Implementation of robust business models aiming for performance and scalability.
- Projects with significant positive economic impact and value creation in Quebec.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 750,000
Launch of a personalized mentorship program for entrepreneurs in the tech industry
$ 1,500,000
Development of a cutting-edge AI-driven medical device for enhanced diagnostic accuracy
$ 900,000
Market validation for innovative eco-friendly packaging solutions targeting retail businesses
$ 850,000
Creation of a mobile application for local farm-to-table delivery services
$ 1,100,000
Significant improvement of existing recycling processes to increase efficiency and output
$ 1,200,000
Expansion of a green energy solutions company focusing on solar panel installation and maintenance
Eligibility
- The applicant must present a strategically positioned product or service with clearly demonstrated differentiation in the market.
- The business must show an innovative solution with measures to protect its competitive advantage.
- The product or service should be at a commercially viable stage, with market readiness and client interest evident.
- The company’s management team should have relevant experience and demonstrate the ability to lead and surround themselves with key partners.
- The project must have a significant potential for positive economic impact in Quebec, including job creation or partnerships.
Who is eligible?
- Life sciences companies
- Medtech companies
- Innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with new products or services
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries based on their status or primary activities. The restrictions are designed to focus support on sectors that align with the program's objectives for innovation and growth.
- Non-profit organizations and cooperatives.
- For-profit companies in the retail trade sector.
- Businesses involved in accommodation and food services.
- Companies offering personal services and laundry services.
- Enterprises engaged in gambling activities and lottery, in the traditional sense.
Eligible expenses
The grant is designed to help young innovative companies with high growth potential in Québec achieve significant milestones by supporting investment efforts during the pre-commercialization stage. The activities focus on accessing investment capital through strategic partnerships and improving the business model for future investment rounds.
- Collaboration with recognized investor entities to secure seed investment matching private investor contributions.
- Development and validation of innovative products or processes for market entry in a competitive landscape.
- Execution of a personalized business coaching plan approved by a recognized entity to ensure sustainable growth.
- Completion of a significant fundraising round, showcasing investment needs and potential for rapid growth.
- Preparation for major market launch activities and strategic positioning within the industry.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Strategic positioning and competitive differentiation (Score: 1-5).
- Degree of innovation and maturity of the product or service (Score: 1-5).
- Market potential and quality of commercial or regulatory strategy (Score: 1-5).
- Strength and experience of the management team and key advisors (Score: 1-5).
- Financial model robustness and projected positive impact in Quebec (Score: 1-5).
How to apply
1
Preparation and selection of documents
- Develop an investment request in accordance with the program criteria.
- Complete or validate a support plan and have it approved by the reference entity.
- Obtain one or more letters of intent from a recognized investor or private investors.
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from the reference entity.
- Complete the due diligence form with the support of the recognized investor.
2
Submission of the application
Submit all requests and documents required by the referring entity to Investissement Québec.
3
Selection process
- Applications are analyzed by Investissement Québec with the contribution of a selection committee.
- Receive the selection results from Investissement Québec and the referring entity.
4
Possibility of reinvestment
If the company has already benefited from the Program, it may submit a new application for potential reinvestment.
Additional information
- Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are used to assess product maturity, with definitions provided by Innovation Canada.
- The evaluation rubric places significant emphasis on strategic positioning, innovation, and the uniqueness of the applicant's market approach.
- Commercialization strategy and the presence of key industry partnerships are weighted heavily during evaluation.
- A strong, experienced management team with robust networks can considerably improve the evaluation score.
Documents and links
Contacts
1 844 474-6367
