How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 35% of admissible expenses, capped at $1000000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1?

Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1 is funded by Investissement Québec (IQ)

What are Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1's eligibility criterias?

The company must be a non-profit organization, cooperative, federation or confederation of cooperatives, except worker-shareholder cooperatives (CTA). The company must be a for-profit entity with an establishment in Quebec that is a subsidiary, or a subsidiary of a subsidiary, controlled primarily by one or more cooperatives or non-profit organizations. The total asset value of the company must be $100 million or less.

Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 1

Last Update: July 22, 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)

Program 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