Open
innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants
Supports collaboration between startups and early technology adopters
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 75,000
Timeline
- Closing date : July 17, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The INNOVÉÉ — Primo-adoptants grant offers a maximum of $75,000 per project to support collaboration between young innovative companies and established firms, focusing on co-developing and adopting new technologies. Eligible activities include innovation and research projects facilitated by incubators or accelerators, aiming to foster early adoption of high-growth potential technologies in Quebec.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : July 17, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Partnership projects between an innovative startup and a first-time adopter to refine or complete a technology.
- Research and development projects carried out in an in-situ test environment at the first-time adopter’s site.
- Real-world demonstration, validation, or testing of a first product, process, or service.
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed financial assistance application form.
- Incubator or accelerator commitment letter.
- First-time adopter commitment letter.
- Service offer from the eligible public research centre or consultants, if applicable.
- Resume of the project resource persons.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Young innovative startups with high growth potential.
- Established companies acting as first-time adopters.
- Incubators or accelerators supporting eligible startups.
Who is not eligible
- Holding companies.
- Businesses in the pre-commercialization phase, when applying as first-time adopters for-profit.
- Companies with ownership or family links between the startup and the first-time adopter.
- Companies in gaming, fossil fuels, weapons, sexual exploitation, tobacco or drugs, or controversial arms-related sectors.
Eligible expenses
- Salaries, wages, and employee benefits.
- Specialized service fees, including subcontracting.
- Travel and accommodation expenses.
- Direct material and inventory costs.
- Equipment rental, direct equipment costs, external testing and certification, intellectual property protection, and project management fees within the stated limits.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred before the complete and eligible application is submitted.
- Fees paid to the first-time adopter.
- Fees paid to companies with shared shareholders with the first-time adopter or the startup.
- Debt service, loan repayments, capital replacement, and working capital uses.
- Operating costs, fixed asset purchases, land, building, and land development costs.
Eligible geographic areas
- All regions of Quebec.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are first reviewed for admissibility.
- Eligible files are assessed by a sector-based evaluation committee.
- Projects are scored on scientific or technological quality, collaboration and expertise, project feasibility and financing, and scientific, technological, and social outcomes.
- The ministry publishes the list of selected projects or successful companies on its website.
- A financial assistance agreement is signed before funding is paid, and reports may be required after approval.
Additional information
- The maximum project duration is 18 months.
- Financial assistance cannot be combined with another funding program from the Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie.
- Applications must be submitted by one of the official 2026 deadlines: April 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., July 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., or November 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- Save the official application form locally and complete it in Adobe Reader rather than in a web browser.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants?
The INNOVÉÉ — Primo-adoptants grant offers a maximum of $75,000 per project to support collaboration between young innovative companies and established firms, focusing on co-developing and adopting new technologies. Eligible activities include innovation and research projects facilitated by incubators or accelerators, aiming to foster early adoption of high-growth potential technologies in Quebec.
How much funding can be received?
innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants program?
To be eligible for the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants program, you must:
Must enable an innovative technology company to partner with a first-time adopter to refine or complete the development of its technology.
Must include at least one startup meeting the criteria set out in the program guide.
What expenses are eligible under innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants?
Partnership projects between an innovative startup and a first-time adopter to refine or complete a technology.
Research and development projects carried out in an in-situ test environment at the first-time adopter’s site.
Real-world demonstration, validation, or testing of a first product, process, or service.
Who can I contact for more information about the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants?
You can contact innovÉÉ by email at startups-innovation@economie.gouv.qc.ca.
Where is the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants available?
The innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants a grant, loan, or tax credit?
innovÉÉ — Primo-adoptants is a Grant and Funding