Innovation program — Call for First-time Adopter Projects
QC, Canada
Encouraging innovation through early technology adoption partnerships
grant_single|update March 17, 2025
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateAugust 1, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateSeptember 16, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusSuspending
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Gouvernement du Québec
- Investissement Québec (IQ)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|suspending
grant_single_labels|preview
The Programme Innovation - Primo-Adoptants aims to encourage early adoption of innovative technologies developed by high-growth potential startups through a collaboration with established companies, providing funding up to $75,000. Eligible activities include project planning, development or improvement of products or processes, testing and validation, commercialization planning, and real-world demonstration.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The Innovation Program Component 1 under the Call for First-time Adopter Projects supports innovative startups through a structured financial framework. The financing modalities are designed to maximize project impact while ensuring compliance with government support limitations.
- A maximum subsidy of CAD 75,000 per project is available, with a project duration limit of 18 months.
- Financial aid can cover up to 60% of eligible project expenses.
- The accumulation of government aid can reach a maximum of 60% of eligible project expenditures, or up to 75% if the project involves a public partner.
- First-time adopter companies must contribute at least 20% of eligible expenses in cash.
- Only cash-based expenses are considered eligible for financial support.
- Financial agreements will be concluded between Investissement Québec and the startup, which must also demonstrate financial and technical capacities for project execution.
- Financial assistance cannot be combined with any other financial aid from another program of the Ministry.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant supports projects that facilitate co-development and demonstration of innovative technologies between emerging tech enterprises and established early adopters. Activities eligible for funding focus on aligning technological improvements with market readiness in real operational settings.
- Conducting essential preliminary activities and studies required for planning and implementing the project, including collaboration plan development with partners, market feasibility studies, and technical analyses.
- Developing or refining the product or process, which includes design, engineering, and prototyping efforts.
- Testing and validating the product or process, such as prototype testing, pilot production tests, and controlled demonstrations in laboratory settings.
- Creating a commercialization strategy for the product or process, which may include steps for compliance certification or obtaining necessary approvals.
- Demonstrating in a real-world operational scenario, advancing from a lab setting to actual scale implementation to complete product or process development.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 75,000
Development of a health analytics platform for hospitals
$ 75,000
Implementation of a real-time energy management platform
$ 75,000
Development of a smart agriculture drone system
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, young innovative companies with high growth potential and prime adopters must meet the following criteria:
- Be legally constituted under federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
- Have their head office in Quebec and employ staff or subcontractors primarily working in Quebec.
- Conduct research and development primarily from Quebec.
- Be in the pre-commercialization phase without significant sales.
- Be accompanied by an incubation or acceleration organization located in Quebec at the time of application.
- Be less than 50% owned by other companies or organizations.
- Not be created as part of a merger, restructuring, business expansion, or takeover of existing activities.
- Possess the rights to use the intellectual property of their product or innovation.
- Be led by a founder or a founding team, with at least one member dedicated full-time (35 hours or more per week).
- Allocate the majority of financial resources to the development of the business, from product conception to market launch.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
This grant is aimed at young, innovative companies with high growth potential in Quebec looking to carry out an innovation project for the research and development of technologies in partnership with a potential client, known as a primo-adoptant.
- Must be legally constituted under federal or Quebec laws and registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar.
- Headquartered in Quebec with employees or subcontractors mainly working in Quebec.
- Conducting research and development primarily from Quebec.
- In the pre-commercialization phase with no significant sales.
- Accompanied by an incubator or accelerator located in Quebec at the time of application submission.
- No more than 50% owned by other companies or organizations.
- Not created as part of a merger, restructuring, extension of pre-existing activities, or takeover of such activities.
- Possess the rights to use the intellectual property of their product or innovation.
- Run by a founder or team of founders, with at least one full-time commitment of 35 hours per week.
- Majority of financial resources devoted to business development, from the design and development of their product or process to market launch.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant is designed specifically for young innovative companies with high growth potential collaborating with established companies. As a result, certain types of companies are not eligible to apply.
- Companies that are in the pre-commercialization phase and do not have regular product or service sales.
- Entities that have more than 50% ownership by other companies or organizations.
- Businesses created through the concentration, restructuring, or extension of pre-existing activities.
- Companies that have received financial aid from the Ministry for a similar project in a previous call for projects.
- Any company that has been established as part of a merger or acquisition of existing business activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.
- Salaries, wages, and social benefits.
- Professional fees for specialized services, including subcontracting services.
- Expenses for travel and accommodation, in accordance with the prevailing government standards.
- Direct costs of materials and inventory.
- Direct costs of equipment, calculated in proportion to the project's duration relative to the equipment's useful life.
- Rental costs of equipment.
- Preparation costs for a strategy to protect intellectual property rights linked to the project.
- External costs related to testing and approvals.
- Costs for project audit and compliance to standards performed by external auditors.
- Costs associated with certification activities.
- Management fees for the accompanying organization (up to 5%).
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is available to companies based in the province of Quebec. Eligibility is restricted to ensure alignment with local economic development and innovation strategies.
- Organizations must have their headquarters located in Quebec.
- Research and development activities should primarily occur within Quebec.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria with allocated point scores to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.
- Quality scientific/technological of the project: 30 points
- Collaboration and expertise for the realization of the project: 20 points
- Realization of the project, steps for realization, financial framework: 20 points
- Scientific, technological, and social impacts: 30 points
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Prepare Required Documents
- Complete and sign the financial assistance application form.
- Obtain a letter of commitment from the incubator or accelerator supporting the startup.
- Include service offer from a public research center (if applicable).
- Provide financial statements for the last two years (or projected financial statements).
- Include two-year financial forecasts and cash flows dated within the last 6 months (if available).
- Create a Gantt chart detailing the project's timeline and stages.
- Secure commitment letters from partner companies detailing their contributions and investment intentions.
- Step 2: Submit Application
- Email the completed form and all required documents to the Ministry's designated email address within the specified deadline.
- Ensure the submission is in French as required by provincial policies.
- Meet any listed deadlines with specific dates provided by the Ministry.
- Step 3: Confirmation of Receipt
- Expect an electronic acknowledgment from the Ministry within two business days of submission.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional considerations and information relevant to applicants include:
- If the early adopter is a public entity, the maximum cumulative government support may rise to 75%.
- The application must be submitted before specified deadlines to be considered valid.
- Financial capability and adherence to sustainable practices must be demonstrated in the proposal.
- A detailed budget and timeline (Gantt chart) are essential components of the application.
- The use of the granted funds is strictly for the proposed project, with compliance and reporting guidelines enforced.
- A confidentiality agreement will be enacted for committee members evaluating projects.
- IP developed under the project must remain with a Quebec-based entity for five years post-project.
grant_single_labels|contact
startups-innovation@economie.gouv.qc.ca
