Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund
Last Update: September 3, 2025
Laval, QC
Financial aid for non-profits and cooperatives launching in Laval
At a glance
Eligible Funding
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Unspecified
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Overview
The Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund provides up to 80% of project costs, supporting nonprofit organizations and cooperatives in Laval with a maximum contribution based on project specifics. The program aims to enhance social and economic wellbeing through funding eligible activities such as capital expenditures, technology acquisition, marketing, inventory purchase, professional fees, and training.
Financing terms and conditions
- Financial participation may cover up to 80% of eligible project costs for start-up organizations and up to 70% for operating organizations.
- The combined financial assistance from provincial, federal, and City of Laval sources cannot exceed 80% of eligible expenses.
Activities funded
- Creation of new non-profit organizations (cooperatives or associations) or collective enterprise projects to address regional needs and improve quality of life.
- Development of significant commercial activities by non-profit organizations aiming for economic viability through sales of goods or services.
- Implementation of innovative collective entrepreneurship projects with a focus on responsible and sustainable development.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 116,000
Creation of an inclusive arts centre for marginalized youth
$ 170,000
Implementing a collective bike share with all-season equipment
$ 198,000
Launching a shared commercial kitchen for food entrepreneurs
$ 199,000
Opening a zero-waste grocery cooperative with local suppliers
$ 163,000
Developing an online resale platform for refurbished electronics
$ 143,000
Developing a collective daycare centre focused on nature education
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a non-profit organization (cooperative or other) registered with the Registre des entreprises du Québec.
- The organization must have its main activities in Laval or plan to establish itself there.
- The applicant must have a board of directors governed by proper governance rules.
- The project must demonstrate the ability to provide a financial contribution and secure complementary funding from other partners.
- The organization must have or plan to achieve significant commercial activity (at least 40% of total revenues from goods or services) and show economic viability by the third year for startups.
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit organizations (including cooperatives) registered in Quebec
- Retail businesses in downtown Laval
- Restaurants and accommodation businesses in downtown Laval
- Companies in the manufacturing, high-tech, tourism, transport, and logistics sectors
Who is not eligible
- For-profit companies (only non-profit organizations and cooperatives are eligible).
- Companies not registered with the Quebec Enterprise Register.
- Businesses without significant commercial activities (less than 40% of revenues from goods or services for operational organizations or projected within three years for start-ups).
- Companies whose main activities are not or will not be based in Laval.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of land or buildings, leasehold improvements, equipment, and machinery.
- Acquisition of vehicles or rolling stock.
- Incorporation fees and similar start-up costs.
- Acquisition of technologies, including know-how, manufacturing licenses or agreements, patents, websites, and software.
- Marketing, advertising, and commercialization expenses.
- Working capital (up to 50% of project costs).
- Purchase of inventory, including raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods.
- Training costs and purchase of educational materials.
- Professional fees.
- Other project-specific expenses deemed relevant.
Eligible geographic areas
- City of Laval (companies operating in Laval or intending to establish operations in Laval)
Selection criteria
- The project is evaluated by a selection committee composed of external experts who determine the amount and conditions of financial assistance in collaboration with Laval Économique’s resources.
- The committee assesses whether the financial aid from the Collective Entrepreneurship Fund complements or enhances the financial plan of the enterprise or project to ensure its feasibility.
- The enterprise or project must demonstrate good prospects for sustainable development, viability, and long-term sustainability.
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility requirements
- Verify that your organization is a non-profit (NPO or cooperative) registered in the Quebec Enterprise Register
- Ensure your main activities are in Laval or plan to establish in Laval
- Confirm governance compliance with a board of directors following good governance practices
2
Prepare financial documentation
- Prepare documents showing your ability to provide financial contributions and secure complementary funding from other partners
- Demonstrate that the fund’s financial assistance will not exceed 80% (startups) or 70% (operating entities) of total project costs
- Show that combined government financial assistance will not exceed 80% of eligible expenses
3
Prepare the business plan
- Compile a business plan detailing project objectives, eligible expenses (e.g., equipment, technologies, marketing, working capital), and expected economic viability
- Describe the market activity, aiming for at least 40% of revenues from commercial activities in operations or by year three for startups
- Demonstrate good prospects for sustainable development and operational viability
4
Submit application and consult advisor
- Contact Laval Économique to discuss your project with a business advisor, such as the Social Economy Commissioner
- Submit your completed documentation and business plan for evaluation
- The project will be assessed by a selection committee of external experts who determine the funding conditions
Additional information
- The selection committee includes external experts and works in collaboration with Laval Économique resources.
- The combined financial assistance from provincial, federal, and City of Laval sources cannot exceed 80% of eligible costs.
- Evaluation is based on the project's feasibility and prospects for sustainable development and viability.
Contacts
l.bainchaumillon@laval.ca
450-978-6888
Laval, QC, Canada
Apply to this program
Frequently Asked Questions about the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund. 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 Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund?
How much funding can be received?
What expenses are eligible under Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund?
What is the deadline to apply?
Is the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Who are the financial supporters of the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund?
Who is eligible for the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund program?
Who can I contact for more information about the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund?
Where is the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund available?
Are startups eligible for the Laval Économique — Collective Entrepreneurship Fund program?
Apply to this program