MRC Joliette — Business Assistance Fund (FAE) – Stream 3
Overview
The "Innovation, Exportation, Relève et Services professionnels" grant provides a non-repayable contribution with a maximum funding value of $3,000 per project for businesses financed by FLI or FLS loans from the MRC de Joliette. Its purpose is to support investments in innovation, exportation, succession planning, and professional services such as prototyping, feasibility studies, and professional consultancy for enhancing business skills.
At a glance
Funding available
- Integrate new technologies
- Develop a new product
- Reduce the ecological footprint
- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Joliette
- Joliette
- Lanaudière
- Quebec
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- All revenue ranges
- All organization sizes
- Startups
Activities funded
This grant aims to enhance business competencies by supporting various professional services and innovative projects. The eligible projects include financing professional services and feasibility studies, as well as technical support for export and business succession.
- Financing for professional services related to innovation, exportation, or business succession, such as notary, accounting, tax, legal, and architectural services.
- Reimbursement for final prototype testing and/or feasibility studies that lead to business investment.
- Technical support from export professionals of SODIL to enhance business competencies.
- Technical support from business succession professionals of Lanaudière Économique to enhance competencies in business transfer.
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria for this grant are based on specific conditions related to the type of business and the project specifics.
- Only businesses that have been granted a loan from the FLI or FLS of the MRC de Joliette are eligible.
- Eligible businesses must demonstrate the viability and profitability of their project through a complete business plan.
- The business must complete all necessary conditions related to the disbursement of an FLI/FLS loan.
- The project must include capital expenditures.
- The project's structure must meet the required funding setup conditions, be feasible, and increase the likelihood of project success.
- The contribution must be significant to the realization of the applicant's project, as demonstrated to the satisfaction of the CDÉJ.
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants for this grant are businesses that have been granted funding from the FLI or FLS of the MRC de Joliette. Such businesses must operate in one of the prioritized sectors, which include manufacturing, recreational tourism, agri-food (excluding retail food establishments), and business service enterprises with a commercial and industrial focus. Additionally, projects that demonstrate innovation and added value are prioritized. However, certain businesses, such as those in social economy or professional services regulated by an order, are not eligible. Furthermore, each company can only benefit from this grant up to two times.
Who is not eligible
This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions ensure that financial support is given to projects aligned with strategic objectives and not to those with conflicting interests.
- Consultants' fees and administrative expenses within a company where the entrepreneur has a stake are not eligible.
- An enterprise can only benefit from this grant (Volet 3) twice.
- Social economy enterprises eligible for Volet 2 are not eligible for Volet 1 and 3.
- Non-profit organizations (for Volet 1 only).
- Enterprises with sexual, religious, or political nature.
- Professional service firms regulated by a professional order.
- Businesses whose revenue primarily comes from commissions.
- Speculative nature enterprises.
- Temporary/non-recurrent enterprises.
- Enterprises acting as exclusive subcontractors for a single company.
- Businesses involved in multi-level (pyramid) sales.
- Projects with discriminatory or degrading tendencies regarding sex or sociocultural origin.
- Projects advocating political or religious defense or discrimination.
- Projects solely focused on research and development.
- Franchise acquisition projects.
- Projects aiming solely at obtaining a grant or loan from an organization.
- Businesses in financial restructuring (technical bankruptcy situations).
Eligible expenses
Eligible expenses for this grant include professional services and specific project-related costs.
- Fees for professional services linked to innovation, exportation, or business succession, including notary, accounting, tax, legal, and architectural services.
- Costs for prototyping tests, final prototyping studies, and feasibility studies leading to an investment in the business.
- Professional fees for exportation expertise from SODIL, funded by the CDÉJ.
- Professional fees for business succession expertise from Lanaudière Économique, funded by the CDÉJ.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is specifically accessible to companies obtaining funding from the MRC de Joliette's FLI or FLS programs. This restriction ensures that funding aligns with local economic development strategies.
- Companies within the jurisdiction of MRC de Joliette.
Selection criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure their viability and potential for success.
- Viability and profitability of the project demonstrated in a complete business plan.
- Ability to meet all conditions required for the disbursement of a loan from FLI/FLS granted by one of these funds.
- Inclusion of capital expenditures.
- A project setup that respects the equity contribution conditions, is feasible, and promotes the success of the project.
- The promoter must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the CDÉJ that the financial aid is significant to the realization of their project.
How to apply
Eligibility check
- Confirm that your company has obtained funding from the FLI or FLS of the MRC of Joliette.
- Check that your project aligns with the priority sectors specified by the CDÉJ.
Preparation of the application file
- Prepare a business plan demonstrating the viability and profitability of the project.
- Ensure compliance with the funding conditions and include capital expenditures.
- Gather detailed invoices marked "settled" or "paid" for eligible expenses.
Submission of the request
- Fill out the application form provided by the CDÉJ.
- Send the complete file to the CDÉJ by the indicated method of transmission (email or physical mail).
Waiting for a response
Signature and finalization
Additional information
The program terms include several specific conditions and processes regarding financial aid and its disbursement.
- The financial aid will be directly disbursed to legally constituted companies, not to individuals.
- Assistance from SODIL or Lanaudière Économique is directly billed to CDÉJ, not to the business.
- All supported projects require a protocol agreement outlining disbursement conditions and obligations of both parties.
