How much funding can be received?

The Soutien au travail autonome (STA) grant provides financial and technical support to individuals who wish to create or acquire a business in the MRC de L’Érable area, offering a weekly financial allowance equivalent to the minimum wage for up to 40 weeks and technical support for up to two years. Eligible activities include submitting a business creation or acquisition project that addresses regional needs and demonstrates potential viability and profitability, excluding certain professional services and oversaturated sectors.

grant_single_labels|projects

Eligible projects under the "Soutien au travail autonome (STA)" grant focus on the creation or acquisition of businesses that address regional needs and have good potential for viability and profitability. The types of projects supported by this grant are specifically located within the MRC de L’Érable territory and need to demonstrate acceptable financing structures.

Creation or acquisition of businesses in underrepresented sectors or within the region's needs.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's profile, project, and funding structure.

The applicant must be deemed eligible by a Services Québec agent under the STA measure.
The applicant must be a recipient of Social Assistance programs, an active Employment Insurance claimant, or a person belonging to underrepresented groups in the labour market.
The project must involve creating or acquiring a business in the MRC de L’Érable, with a realistic plan and viability prospect.
The project should meet a regional need.
A minimum financial contribution of 20% of the STA allocation is required, either in cash or asset transfer.
The promoter must have experience or skills relevant to the project.
The promoter must be dedicated full-time to the business project.
The promoter must have decision-making power, owning 51% of the business shares.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant is designed to support individuals interested in establishing or acquiring a business within the MRC de L’Érable region. To be eligible for the Soutien au travail autonome (STA) program, applicants must be recognized as eligible by a Services Québec agent, be beneficiaries of social assistance, active employment insurance claimants, or from underrepresented groups in the labor market. They must propose a realistic business creation or acquisition project with good viability and profitability prospects, address a regional need, and present an acceptable financial structure.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant excludes certain companies and industries due to their status or main activity. The restrictions aim to ensure that funds are directed toward strategic sectors aligned with the grant's objectives.

Professions considered as liberal such as notaries, lawyers, and accountants.
Businesses involved in personal care services like hairdressing, aesthetics, nail care, and massage therapy.
Industries that are already saturated, highly competitive, or not prioritized in the MRC de L’Érable region.
Companies with religious, spiritual, esoteric, political, or sexual characteristics.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies intending to operate within a specific geographical area. The eligible location for this grant is targeted to meet regional development needs.

Territory of the MRC de L'Érable.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on their practicality, viability, and alignment with regional needs, rather than specific point-scored criteria.

Realism of the project proposal: The business creation or acquisition must be realistic with good prospects for viability and profitability.
Regional need: The project must address a genuine need within the MRC de L’Érable region.
Financing structure: An acceptable structure of financing must be presented, including a minimum contribution of 20% of the allocation in the form of cash or asset transfer.
Promoter’s experience: The promoter must have relevant experience or competencies related to the project.
Full-time dedication: The promoter is required to dedicate full time to the business project.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility
Contact a Services Québec agent to confirm eligibility for the STA measure.
Ensure you meet all the program criteria, such as residency in the MRC de L’Érable and eligibility for applicable social assistance or underrepresented groups.
Step 2: Develop Business Idea
Formulate a viable business idea that meets local needs and has good profitability prospects.
Ensure your business proposal is not in a saturated or excluded sector, such as professional or personal care services.
Step 3: Prepare Business Plan
Create a detailed business plan including financial projections for two years.
Demonstrate your experience or skills related to the proposed business.
Showcase your ability and commitment to run the business full-time, including holding majority ownership (51%).
Step 4: Submit Application
Compile all necessary documents, such as your business plan and any additional documentation requested by Développement économique de L'Érable.
Submit your complete application to the relevant contact, potentially Jérémie Tremblay, as indicated.
Step 5: Await Evaluation
The submitted application will be reviewed by a committee which will determine the duration of support and funding eligibility based on the project’s viability and financial structure.
Step 6: Participate in Training and Support
If accepted, engage in the mandatory training and business development sessions provided during the first 12 weeks.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The financial assistance is subject to a maximum duration of 40 weeks, as determined by a committee for each participant.
Technical support is tailored to each participant and can last up to two years.
A minimum personal investment of 20% of the grant amount to be received is required, which can be in cash or asset transfer.
Applicants need to maintain full-time commitment to the entrepreneurial project.
The promoter must hold 51% of the company's shares to have decision-making authority.

grant_single_labels|contact

8193622333

Apply to this program

Support for Self-Employment Initiatives in L'Érable

The "Soutien au travail autonome" (STA) program provides financial and technical support to individuals aiming to start or acquire a business within the MRC de L’Érable area. This initiative is designed to foster entrepreneurship by offering a financial safety net and expert guidance during the critical start-up phase.

Understanding the STA Program: Structure and Benefits

The Soutien au travail autonome (STA) program is specifically tailored to assist aspiring entrepreneurs within the MRC de L’Érable region with the essential support needed to navigate the challenges of starting or acquiring a business. This program provides a dual benefit: financial support and technical guidance, ensuring that entrepreneurs have both the monetary backing and the strategic insights necessary to succeed.

From a financial perspective, the STA program offers a weekly allowance equivalent to the minimum wage for up to 40 weeks, providing a stable income stream for participants during the start-up phase. This financial support is critical as it alleviates the immediate pressure of generating revenue, allowing business owners to focus on laying a strong foundation for their company. Meanwhile, the technical support component of the STA offers up to two years of personalized guidance. Recognizing that each entrepreneurial journey is unique, this part of the program is highly adaptable, offering tailored advice and training that covers a range of business management topics, including business planning, accounting, marketing, and securing financing.

The target beneficiaries of this program are diverse, encompassing social assistance recipients, active employment insurance beneficiaries, and individuals from underrepresented groups in the labor market. However, all participants must meet certain prerequisites, such as obtaining approval from a Services Québec agent and fulfilling the specific eligibility criteria outlined by the STA initiative. These criteria ensure that the program assists those who are most likely to benefit from the support and have realistic prospects for establishing a successful and sustainable business.

What's particularly noteworthy is the requirement for a personal financial commitment; participants must contribute a minimum fund equating to 20% of the total allowance from the STA program. This stipulation is designed to encourage proactive investment in their ventures and demonstrate a personal stake in the success of their business idea. Participants are also expected to dedicate themselves full-time to their projects, ensuring complete commitment to their entrepreneurial endeavors.

The program has explicit exclusions, emphasizing the need for diversity and innovation in the business ideas it supports. It excludes certain saturated industries and specific professional services, ensuring that the supported projects do not create unnecessary competition in already crowded markets but rather fulfill unmet needs within the community. Additionally, enterprises linked to religious, political, or esoteric domains are not eligible for this program, further reflecting a focus on ventures that contribute to the region's economic vitality.

Overall, the STA program represents a comprehensive support system for nascent entrepreneurs in the MRC de L’Érable. By enabling participants to build businesses that are not only viable but also innovative and responsive to regional needs, the program aims to stimulate economic diversity and resilience in the area. Participants benefit not only from monetary support but also gain invaluable business acumen, positioning them for long-term success in their entrepreneurial endeavors.