Closed
Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2
Funding for collective business takeover projects
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000 - $ 2,000,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Centre-du-Québec, Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program supported collective business takeovers in the social economy, with funding of up to $2,000,000. It covered full asset or share purchases and partial share acquisitions by eligible cooperatives and non-profits.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Ensure financial sustainability
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Minimum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Centre-du-Québec
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Full purchase of a business's assets or shares.
- Partial purchase of shares in a business by a worker-shareholder cooperative.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations.
- Cooperatives.
- Federations of cooperatives.
- Confederations.
- Worker-shareholder cooperatives.
Who is not eligible
- Businesses with total assets above $100 million.
- Applicants outside the eligible social economy structures listed for each sub-stream.
Eligible expenses
- All expenses included in the purchase contract.
- Capital expenditures related to the acquisition.
- Related fees and transaction costs.
Additional information
- The program ended on March 31, 2025 and is currently being renewed.
- New applications are suspended until further notice.
- The program has two sub-streams: full business acquisition and partial share acquisition.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2. 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 Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2?
This program supported collective business takeovers in the social economy, with funding of up to $2,000,000. It covered full asset or share purchases and partial share acquisitions by eligible cooperatives and non-profits.
How much funding can be received?
Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $2,000,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 program?
To be eligible for the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 program, you must:
Collective business acquisition project.
Business assets of $100M or less.
Eligible social economy organizations.
What expenses are eligible under Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2?
Full purchase of a business's assets or shares.
Partial purchase of shares in a business by a worker-shareholder cooperative.
Who can I contact for more information about the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2?
You can contact Investissement Québec (IQ) by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 available?
The Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 program is available Centre-du-Québec, Quebec.
Is the Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Capitalization of Social Economy Enterprises (CAES) — Stream 2 is a Grant and Funding