How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $150000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE)?

MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE) is funded by MRC de Sept-Rivières

What are MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE)'s eligibility criterias?

Operate within the MRC de Sept-Rivières territory Must demonstrate financial need essential to the project Projects in highly competitive or saturated sectors are not eligible

MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE)

Last Update: August 1, 2025

QC, Canada

Financial support for local entrepreneurs and social economy projects

MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE) at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $150,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Expert Advice

Loans and Capital investments

Eligible Industries

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Manufacturing
Information and cultural industries
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

MRC de Sept-Rivières

Program status

Open

Overview of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE) program

The MRC Sept-Rivières Support for Entrepreneurship (SE) program provides grants up to $150,000 and loans up to $60,000 to help private businesses and social economy enterprises with startup, acquisition, expansion, and organizational growth activities. Eligible projects include job creation or retention, administrative support, digital transformation, R&D, and sustainable development initiatives within the Sept-Rivières territory.

Financing terms and conditions

Grants can cover up to 50% of eligible project expenses, with a maximum cumulative grant of $150,000 per entrepreneur or business over three years.
Administrative support projects: up to $3,000; R&D / growth / sustainable development: up to $10,000; digital transformation and automation: up to $20,000, each covering up to 50% of eligible costs, with a minimum 15% applicant contribution.
Loan (Volet 1: start-up/consolidation): up to $30,000 at a fixed interest rate; Volet 2 (acquisition/expansion): up to $60,000 at a fixed interest rate, with enhanced amounts for innovative sectors.
Combined public funding from provincial, federal, and MRC sources cannot exceed 80% of eligible project costs.

Eligible projects & activities

Launching a new business or acquiring an existing company.
Expanding business operations to create or maintain full-time employment.
Implementing business growth initiatives, including administrative support to increase competitiveness and productivity.
Developing new products, services, or processes, including research and development for innovation and sustainable development.
Undertaking projects focused on digital transformation and automation to modernize business operations.

Eligibility criteria of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE) program

The business or organization must be operating within the territory of the MRC Sept-Rivières.
The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Quebec.
The project must align with the orientations of the Fonds régions et ruralité (FRR).
The applicant must demonstrate that financial support is essential for the project’s completion.
The applicant must have a business plan demonstrating viability and profitability over the first three years of operations.

Who is eligible?

Private businesses operating in the MRC de Sept-Rivières territory
Social economy enterprises (including non-profits and cooperatives)
Entrepreneurs (including self-employed workers registered with the REQ)
Businesses in innovative sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, manufacturing (primary, secondary, tertiary transformation), tourism, IT/software development, environment (circular economy), digital transformation, and industrial machining

Who is not eligible

Bars, arcades, pawn shops, projects of a religious nature, or businesses exploiting the sex industry.
Retail trade and restaurants, unless they are considered essential local services situated in rural communities or urban neighbourhoods.
Projects in sectors that are highly competitive or saturated.
Companies with annual revenues exceeding $2 million (for the "administrative support and business growth" subcomponent).
Businesses whose sole activity is promotion or advertising, the creation of a web page, or professional fees related to business succession (for some subcomponents).

Eligible expenses

Capital expenses such as land, building, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, and incorporation fees.
Acquisition costs of business ownership (voting shares, units, or assets) and professional service fees directly related to acquisition transactions.
Acquisition of technologies, including know-how, licenses or manufacturing agreements, patents, software, or similar expenses.
Operating costs directly related to project execution, including salaries, rent, acquisition of materials and equipment, and reporting costs.
Training expenses for the entrepreneur or employees.
Equipment purchase or work carried out for business improvements.
Costs associated with the acquisition of software to improve administrative efficiency.
Professional fees for implementing accounting systems or preparing annual financial statements and tax reports, or similar activities.
Salaries and professional fees for the preparation of plans and studies linked to project development.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies operating within the territory of the MRC de Sept-Rivières (Quebec).

Eligibility criteria of the MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE) program

Alignment of project objectives with the strategic orientations of the Fonds régions et ruralité (FRR) and the MRC's vision.
Demonstration by the applicant that financial support is essential for the project’s realization.
Soundness of the business plan for the first three years, including viability and profitability prospects, project costs, market potential, and job creation.
Socio-economic impacts, particularly the creation or maintenance of full-time jobs (30 hours/week per job).
Entrepreneurial qualities, such as relevant experience or training related to the proposed project.

How to apply to the MRC Sept-Rivières — Support for entrepreneurship (SE) program

Assess eligibility and needs

Identify business needs and opportunities within the scope of the grant
Review the eligibility criteria of the SE program

Compile required documents

Prepare a business plan including financial projections for three years
Gather necessary supporting documents such as proof of citizenship/residency and entrepreneurial experience

Fill out the application form

Complete the official SE grant application form
Describe the project and specify funding needs

Submit application to MRC

Submit the completed application and all supporting documents to the MRC de Sept-Rivières
Wait for confirmation of receipt by the MRC

Respond to MRC inquiries

Respond to any further requests for information or clarifications from the MRC
Provide additional documentation if required

Await decision from MRC

Wait for the MRC to review the application and communicate its decision

Additional information

Financial support is available through both grant and loan components under the program.
The program extends support to both private companies and social economy enterprises (such as NPOs and cooperatives).
The MRC may make a public announcement regarding financial assistance granted, including the name of the business and the nature and amount of funding.
The entrepreneur is required to submit supporting documents such as financial statements for the duration specified in the agreement.

Apply to this program