How much funding can be received?

The Laval Économique — Business Launch Fund offers non-repayable financial contributions of up to $25,000 to support the creation and acquisition of new, for-profit businesses in Laval. Eligible activities include capital expenditures, technology acquisition, working capital for first-year operations, and inventory purchases.

Financing terms and conditions

Non-repayable financial contribution ranging from $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per project.
Financial aid must represent 50% or less of the total eligible project costs.
Total government and City of Laval contributions (repayable and non-repayable) may not exceed 50% of project costs.
A minimum request amount of $5,000 is required.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation or acquisition of new businesses operating in Laval.
Expansion of retail, restaurant, or accommodation businesses in downtown Laval through digital transformation projects.
Manufacturing, high-tech, tourism, transport, or logistics companies transitioning to sustainable and responsible business models.
Manufacturing companies adopting automation, robotization, or advanced digital solutions to optimize production processes.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 24,000

Digital transformation for specialty coffee shop expansion project

$ 23,200

Technological upgrade for craft microbrewery to boost efficiency

$ 24,000

Sustainable fleet upgrade for an eco-friendly courier company

$ 24,500

Acquisition of bakery equipment for a new artisanal bakery

$ 23,500

Start-up of a sustainable clothing boutique with digital platform

$ 24,500

Automation of packaging line for a food processing start-up

Eligibility criteria of the Laval Économique — Business Launch Fund program

The company must be a legally constituted, private, for-profit business.
The company must be incorporated or duly registered.
The head office and main business activities must be or are planned to be located in Laval.
The business must be within its first two years of creation or, if acquiring a business, the acquisition must be for a company started less than two years ago, with no previous ownership ties.
The project must create or commit to creating the equivalent of two full-time jobs within 12 months of signing the agreement.

Who is eligible?

Retail businesses located in downtown Laval
Restaurants and accommodation sector businesses in downtown Laval
Companies in the manufacturing sector or with production activities
Companies in the high-tech, tourism, transport, and logistics sectors
Legally constituted, for-profit private businesses with headquarters and primary activities in Laval

Who is not eligible

Companies that are not registered or incorporated entities.
Non-profit organizations (only for-profit private companies are eligible).
Businesses whose main activities are conducted outside the Laval territory.
Companies acquiring a business where the applicant is already a shareholder (dependent relationship).

Eligible expenses

Capital investments such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and rolling stock.
Incorporation fees and related costs of a similar nature.
Acquisition of technologies, including know-how, manufacturing licenses or agreements, and patents.
Purchase of software or software packages.
Working capital directly related to the company’s first-year activities.
Inventory purchases, including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses with their head office and main activities located in the territory of Laval, Quebec.

Eligibility criteria of the Laval Économique — Business Launch Fund program

Experience or relevant training of administrators.
Creation or commitment to create at least two full-time jobs within 12 months after signing the agreement.
Financial needs must be duly demonstrated.
Project viability and profitability based on a complete business plan with at least two years of financial projections.
Consideration of several factors during project analysis, including direct and indirect competition, added value, integration of sustainable development and greenhouse gas reduction objectives, innovation, export potential, and ethnocultural diversity.

How to apply to the Laval Économique — Business Launch Fund program

Verify eligibility requirements

Ensure your business is legally constituted and for-profit
Verify that your business is within its first 2 years of creation or that you are acquiring all shares of a business less than 2 years old
Confirm main activities are or will be based in Laval
Check eligibility for a repayable financial aid from the Local Investment Funds equivalent to the subsidy amount

Prepare business plan and projections

Prepare a comprehensive business plan
Include detailed financial projections for at least 2 years
Demonstrate financial needs and project viability
Highlight experience or relevant training of administrators

Confirm compliance with program conditions

Ensure project complies with funding limits (grant represents 50% or less of total project costs)
Confirm all government and municipal aid do not exceed 50% of project costs
Ensure the project creates or commits to create two full-time jobs within 12 months after contract signing
Identify eligible expenses and sectors prioritized by Laval économique

Gather documents and apply

Gather required supporting documents (business plan, financial statements, proof of eligibility, etc.)
Complete the application form for Business Launch Fund
Request an equivalent loan from the Local Investment Funds

Submit application

Submit your complete application to Laval Économique
Ensure all sections are filled and documents attached

Await evaluation and decision

Wait for evaluation by the Joint Investment Committee (CIC)
Possible communication with Laval Économique for further information

Additional information

The application must include a comprehensive business plan with financial projections for at least two years.
The evaluation of applications is conducted by a joint investment committee (CIC) in collaboration with Laval économique resources.
Priority may be given to projects in emerging and high-potential economic sectors identified annually by Laval économique.
Several criteria are considered in the assessment, including innovation, market competition, sustainable development objectives, and ethnocultural diversity.