Local investment fund
QC, Canada
Loans for entrepreneurs in Quebec
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJanuary 01, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 31, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Gouvernement du Québec
- Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Loans and loan guarantees to start or expand a business, or purchase at least 25% of an existing business, in Quebec.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is administered by the municipal regional counties (MRCs) across Quebec, making companies located in these regions eligible. The funding aims to encourage and support local entrepreneurship in the designated areas.
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue: Abitibi, Abitibi-Ouest, La Vallée-de-l'Or, Rouyn-Noranda, Témiscamingue.
- Bas-Saint-Laurent: Kamouraska, La Matanie, La Matapédia, La Mitis, Les Basques, Rimouski-Neigette, Rivière-du-Loup, Témiscouata.
- Capitale-Nationale: Charlevoix, Charlevoix-Est, La Côte-de-Beaupré, La Jacques-Cartier, L'Île-d'Orléans, Portneuf, Québec.
- Centre-du-Québec: Arthabaska, Bécancour, Drummond, L'Érable, Nicolet-Yamaska.
- Chaudière-Appalaches: Beauce-Sartigan, Bellechasse, La Nouvelle-Beauce, Les Appalaches, Les Etchemins, Lévis, L'Islet, Lotbinière, Montmagny, Robert-Cliche.
- Côte-Nord: Caniapiscau, La Haute-Côte-Nord, Le Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent, Manicouagan, Minganie, Sept-Rivières.
- Estrie: Brome-Missisquoi, Coaticook, La Haute-Yamaska, Le Granit, Le Haut-Saint-François, Les Sources, Le Val-Saint-François, Memphrémagog, Sherbrooke.
- Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine: Avignon, Bonaventure, La Côte-de-Gaspé, La Haute-Gaspésie, Le Rocher-Percé, Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
- Lanaudière: D'Autray, Joliette, L'Assomption, Les Moulins, Matawinie, Montcalm.
- Laurentides: Antoine-Labelle, Argenteuil, Deux-Montagnes, La Rivière-du-Nord, Les Laurentides, Les Pays-d'en-Haut, Mirabel, Thérèse-De Blainville.
- Laval: Laval.
- Mauricie: La Tuque, Les Chenaux, Maskinongé, Mékinac, Shawinigan, Trois-Rivières.
- Montérégie: Acton, Beauharnois-Salaberry, La Vallée-du-Richelieu, Le Haut-Richelieu, Le Haut-Saint-Laurent, Les Jardins-de-Napierville, Les Maskoutains, Longueuil, Marguerite-D'Youville, Pierre-De Saurel, Roussillon, Rouville, Vaudreuil-Soulanges.
- Nord-du-Québec: Administration régionale Baie-James (ARBJ).
- Outaouais: Gatineau, La-Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais, Papineau, Pontiac.
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: Lac-Saint-Jean-Est, Le Domaine-du-Roy, Le Fjord-du-Saguenay, Maria-Chapdelaine, Saguenay.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$150,000
Establishing a community arts center with digital workshops
$150,000
Opening a new eco-friendly co-working space
$150,000
Launching an artisan bakery with digital solutions
$100,000
Digitizing the wholesale inventory management system for a small business
$150,000
Scaling up a local organic farm by acquiring new machinery
$150,000
Acquiring a 30% stake in a childcare center
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's legal status and operational conditions.
- The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit enterprise under the laws of Quebec or Canada.
- The applicant can also be a collective enterprise (cooperative or non-profit organization) with a commercial activity.
- The organization must operate in Quebec and be legally constituted in Quebec, regardless of its constitutive law's origin.
- The applicant must not appear in the Register of ineligible enterprises for public contracts (RENA).
- The applicant must have respected all obligations concerning previous financial aid awarded by the Government of Quebec or the regional county municipality (MRC) for at least two years.
- The applicant must not be a state corporation or an entity controlled by any level of government, a municipal entity, or a company majority-owned by a state corporation.
- The applicant must not be in a state of bankruptcy or insolvency.
- The applicant must not engage in unethical behavior or offer products or services that could compromise the integrity or probity of the Government of Quebec, even by association.
- The applicant must be eligible under the investment policy of the MRC.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible applicants for the Local Investment Funds include: legally constituted for-profit businesses under the laws of the Quebec or Canadian government; collective enterprises (cooperatives and non-profit organizations) engaged in commercial activities. To qualify, any organization must be legally established in Quebec and conduct business there, regardless of its constituting law (whether Quebec or elsewhere). Applicants must meet the following conditions: not be or use subcontractors listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA); have fulfilled all their obligations related to any previous financial assistance from the Quebec government or a regional county municipality (RCM) for at least two years; not be a state-owned enterprise or a company directly or indirectly controlled by a government (municipal, provincial, or federal), a municipal entity, or a business majorly owned by a state-owned enterprise; not be in a state of bankruptcy or insolvency; not commit ethical breaches or offer products or services likely to undermine the integrity of the Quebec government even by association; be eligible under the investment policy of the RCM.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant has several eligibility restrictions that exclude certain businesses from applying. These restrictions ensure that the funds are utilized by businesses that meet specific governmental criteria.
- Businesses that are listed on the Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics (RENA).
- Companies that have not met previous financial aid obligations to the Government of Quebec or regional county municipalities in the last two years.
- State-owned enterprises or companies controlled directly or indirectly by any level of government (municipal, provincial, or federal), municipal entities, or businesses majority-owned by state-owned enterprises.
- Companies that are in a situation of bankruptcy or financial insolvency.
- Organizations engaged in unethical activities or those offering products or services that could compromise the integrity or neutrality of the Quebec government.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant offers financial support to local entrepreneurship initiatives through various types of projects. Eligible projects are tailored to enhance business commencement, transformation, growth, and entrepreneurial succession.
- Start-up business projects for companies operational for less than two years and entering commercialization phases.
- Business improvement and transformation projects for companies operational in Quebec for at least one year, focusing on productivity improvement, digital transformation, and sustainable practices implementation.
- Business growth and expansion projects for companies operational in Quebec for at least two years, fostering growth and investment realization.
- Entrepreneurial succession projects aiding entrepreneurs in acquiring a significant stake in existing businesses for future leadership.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers certain expenses directly necessary for the realization and success of specific projects.
- Additional working capital needs compared to existing current expenses, necessary for project realization for a maximum period of two years, based on justified and reasonable expenses.
- Capital expenses strictly and directly related to the realization of the company project, such as the acquisition of technologies, land, buildings, equipment, machinery, and rolling stock, as well as construction, expansion, renovation, and layout of the land and premises.
- Fees related to preliminary activities for project realization, for example, feasibility analysis, external audit, or impact study.
- Fees strictly and directly related to activities aimed at project realization, such as the implementation of technologies, equipment, and machinery, as well as acquisition, construction, renovation, and layout of the land and premises.
- For entrepreneurial succession projects, expenses for acquiring ownership titles of the targeted company (voting shares or parts) and its assets.
- Fees strictly and directly related to the transaction, acquisition of the company, and transmission of the company's management.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection process for this grant is managed by the Municipal Regional Counties (MRC), and it involves determining the eligibility, analysis, and decision on financial assistance requests. Specific criteria are applied to assess the suitability of the projects for funding.
- Eligibility of the enterprise based on legal constitution requirements
- Compliance with past financial assistance obligations from the government or MRC
- Adherence to ethical standards and avoidance of conflicts with the integrity of the government
- Suitability of the project type (startup, improvement, transformation, growth, expansion, or entrepreneurial succession)
- Admissibility of the projected expenses
- Applicant's financial contribution of at least 15% of the total project cost
- Compliance with the policy of the MRC managing the fund
- Potential for meeting local economic development objectives
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Ensure your organization meets the eligibility requirements as stipulated by the local investment fund guidelines.
- Review the list of eligible and non-eligible expenses to verify your project qualifies.
- Step 2: Contact Local Authority
- Reach out to the Municipalité régionale de comté (MRC) or local municipality office responsible for managing the fund in your area.
- Discuss your project idea and get specific insights or requirements from the local fund managers.
- Step 3: Prepare Your Application
- Draft a comprehensive project proposal outlining objectives, planned activities, and expected outcomes.
- Compile required documentation such as business registration, financial statements, and project budget.
- Ensure all documents adhere to the guidelines provided by the local authority.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit your completed application along with all required documentation to the designated MRC or local municipality office.
- Verify submission requirements such as format and deadline with the local authority.
- Step 5: Await Decision
- Wait for the MRC to process your application, which involves an analysis and decision-making phase.
- Prepare to provide additional information if requested by the fund managers during the review process.
- Step 6: Receive Funding Decision
- Upon receiving a decision, review the terms of the funding agreement carefully if approved.
- If not approved, consider feedback for future applications or adjustments.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional details to consider when applying for the Fonds locaux d’investissement:
- The financial aid does not include subsidies, sponsorships, donations, or similar expenses, focusing instead on various forms of loans or equity participation.
- The maximum aid rate is 50% of eligible expenses for for-profit companies and 80% for social economy enterprises.
- Government aid, in total, should not exceed 50% of the total project cost, except for social economy companies where it can reach up to 80%.
- The maximum aid amount is $150,000 for a 12-month period, although exceptions can be made at the Quebec government's discretion.
- Financing must include a minimum contribution (equity) by promoters or the company, equivalent to 15% of the project's total cost.
- The procedures and policies of local investment funds are managed by MRCs and may vary according to their investment policies.
Apply to this program
Funding Your Local Entrepreneurship Ambitions
This grant program aims to provide financial support to local businesses and non-profit organizations that are legally established in Quebec, Canada. It is designed to boost entrepreneurship by facilitating access to capital and accelerating the completion of various business projects, including startups and expansions.
Detailed Insights into the Local Investment Fund for Businesses
The Local Investment Fund is a targeted financial initiative operating under the auspices of local municipalities in Quebec, seeking to bolster local entrepreneurship. The fund offers significant opportunities for enterprises and collective business models to access critical financial resources, aiding in their growth and sustainability within the competitive economic landscape of Quebec.Entrepreneurs and local businesses can benefit from financial aid to launch new ventures, upgrade existing operational frameworks, or expand their market reach. This grant forms a backbone of local economic development, focusing on various stages of business projects such as startup funding, business improvement, transformation endeavors, and expansion efforts.For startups, the grant offers a vital infusion of capital needed during the critical initial years, supporting commercial and operational activities. This period is marked by heightened financial need as businesses strive to establish themselves in the market. On the other hand, for businesses already operational for over a year, the fund can be leveraged to improve productivity, embrace digital transformation, and implement sustainable organizational practices. Further, businesses looking to expand can receive support to scale operations effectively, enhancing their economic contribution to the community.The grant also facilitates entrepreneurial succession, encouraging aspiring business leaders to acquire significant stakes in existing enterprises. This not only ensures business continuity but also fosters a new generation of entrepreneurs who are integral to maintaining the local economic vibrancy. However, it’s integral to note that generic acquisition of company shares does not qualify unless it’s part of a wider succession and business continuity plan.Eligible costs under this fund encompass additional working capital beyond current expenses, necessary for achieving business objectives within a specified timeframe. Capital expenditures like acquisition of technologies, property, construction, and renovation are covered to promise a direct link to the value gained from the investment. Fees for essential preparatory and implementation tasks related to the business project, like feasibility studies or technical audits, are also included as eligible expenses.However, to ensure the judicious use of allocated funds, the grant excludes various expenses such as those incurred before application submission, debt servicing, and routine operational expenditures. Businesses must responsibly outline their projected costs to align with the fund's purpose of fostering substantive business development.Additionally, while the funds primarily offer support via loans or equity participation, the scheme does not cover subsidies or donations, ensuring a focus on direct financial investment. The support cap is typically set at 50% of eligible costs for profit-oriented businesses, aligning with the overall objective of promoting economic growth while ensuring that businesses also commit a portion of their funds to the initiatives.This grant underscores a collaborative approach between local authorities and enterprises, underpinned by strategic investment policies dictated by the specific municipal regional county (MRC), to ensure broad economic impact. Entrepreneurs and businesses looking to benefit from this fund should actively engage with local MRC offices to understand specific policies and leverage optimal financial support.In conclusion, the Local Investment Fund is not just a financial booster but a strategic tool aligning economic development with community-based entrepreneurship. By supporting diverse ventures, it reinforces local economies, aids job creation, and sustains the entrepreneurial spirit critical for long-term regional growth.
