
Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1
Last Update: May 13, 2025
QC, Canada
Financial support for social economy enterprise capitalization projects
Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1 at a glance
Eligible Funding
- From $25,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 35% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- Investissement Québec (IQ)
Status
Closed
Overview of the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1 program
The Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1 provides up to $1,000,000 in funding to support the capitalization needs of eligible non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and certain subsidiaries in Quebec. The program aims to finance business start-up, development, expansion, and restructuring projects, including all associated capital expenditures.
Financing terms and conditions
- The maximum aid rate is 35% of eligible expenses.
- The minimum amount of aid is $25,000.
- The maximum amount of aid is $1,000,000.
- Cumulative government aid can cover up to 90% of eligible expenses.
- For funding exceeding $200,000, the presence of another partner in quasi-equity is mandatory.
Eligible projects & activities
- Startup business project with capitalization support.
- Business development and expansion project with capitalization support.
- Business recovery project in a context of viability or requiring consolidation with capitalization support.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 16,000
Launching a community art studio for local creatives
$ 54,000
Developing a mobile composting service for urban residents
$ 32,000
Creating an inclusive coworking space for tech startups
$ 20,000
Creating an educational garden focused on indigenous plant species
$ 12,000
Implementing a digital marketing strategy for local artisans
$ 20,000
Establishing a renewable energy workshop for youth education
Eligibility criteria of the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1 program
- The applicant must be a nonprofit organization (NPO) or a cooperative, federation, or confederation of cooperatives, excluding worker-shareholder cooperatives (CTA).
- Applicants can also be for-profit enterprises based in Quebec, which are subsidiaries or subsidiaries of subsidiaries, controlled majority by one or more cooperatives or nonprofit organizations.
- The enterprise must have a total asset value of $100 million or less.
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations (NPOs)
- Cooperatives, federations, or confederations of cooperatives, except worker-shareholder cooperatives (CTAs)
- For-profit enterprises located in Quebec that are subsidiaries or subsidiaries of subsidiaries, primarily controlled by one or more cooperatives or NPOs
Who is not eligible
- Cooperatives of worker shareholders (CTA).
- Companies with a total value of assets exceeding 100 million dollars.
Eligible expenses
- Capital expenditures incurred as part of a capitalization support project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Additional information
- The program is currently suspended as of December 6, 2024, to ensure fund availability for contractual commitments.
- New applications are not being accepted until further notice to manage budgetary allocations effectively.
- For funding exceeding $200,000, the involvement of another quasi-equity partner is mandatory.
Apply to this program

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Funding to optimize the operation of building mechanical systems

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Financial assistance for the demonstration of new technologies in Quebec

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Non-repayable financial aid supporting social economy projects in Mauricie

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Money to develop local economy and tourism in Quebec

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Financial support for tourism innovation in Matawinie

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Social Economy Fund supports collective entrepreneurship in Abitibi-Ouest

Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
Non-repayable support for rural cooperative and nonprofit projects

Grant and FundingOpen
Beaupré, Quebec
Supports social economy businesses in MRC de La Côte-de-Beaupré

Grant and FundingClosed
Quebec, Canada
Support for transformational projects in La Matapédia region

Grant and FundingOpen
Quebec, Canada
Support for impactful rural and regional development projects