How much funding can be received?

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique aims to stimulate sustainable and structured tourism projects north of the 49th parallel, offering a maximum funding amount of $42,000. Eligible activities focus on enhancing the nature-culture-adventure axis, including sports fishing, combined tourist accommodations, ecotourism, and Indigenous tourism.

grant_single_labels|projects

This grant supports tourism projects that enhance the natural, cultural, and adventure-based offerings in regions located north of the 49th parallel. Eligible projects aim to foster sustainable tourism development and appeal to both domestic and international visitors.

Sport fishing ventures that capitalize on the region's natural aquatic resources.
Tourist accommodations paired with activities focused on nature, culture, and adventure.
Projects that enhance the wildlife potential in outfitter operations.
Adventure tourism and ecotourism activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability.
Initiatives related to Indigenous tourism that highlight and respect the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.
Original combinations of the above categories that create unique tourism experiences.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's profile and project location.

Organizations eligible to apply include for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal organizations, recognized Indigenous communities and nations by the National Assembly, or any grouping of these types of enterprises.
Projects must be located north of the 49th parallel, including Anticosti Island.
If the organization's headquarters are outside the designated area, the project itself must take place within the specified territory.
Excluded entities include state-owned enterprises, ministries and agencies of the government of Quebec or Canada, entities registered in the Register of Ineligible Enterprises for Public Contracts (RENA), businesses under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, and businesses that failed to meet previous grant obligations.
Tourist accommodation providers must comply with current laws and hold a registration number under the Act respecting tourist accommodation.
Outfitters must hold a valid outfitter license and comply with obligations under the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife.
Nature or adventure activity providers must be or be in the process of being "Quality-Safety" certified by Aventure Écotourisme Québec.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for the "Incubateur-accélérateur nordique" grant include the following:1. For-profit Organizations (OBL): Businesses that operate with the goal of earning profit.2. Non-profit Organizations (OBNL): Organizations that operate to achieve objectives other than profit distribution.3. Cooperatives: Organizations owned and operated for the mutual benefit of their members.4. Municipal Organizations: Local government entities within the specified geographical location.5. Recognized Indigenous Communities and Nations: Indigenous groups officially acknowledged by the National Assembly.6. Any coalition of these types of entities.### Additional Conditions:- Projects must be located north of the 49th parallel (including Anticosti Island), though businesses headquartered outside this territory can be eligible if their operations or upcoming projects take place within the specified area.- Certain entities are excluded, such as: - State-owned enterprises and government departments or agencies. - Applicants registered in the "Registre des entreprises non admissibles aux contrats publics" (RENA) or undergoing restructuring. - Businesses protected under certain bankruptcy laws. - Businesses that failed to meet obligations of past financial aid within two years prior to application.### Compliance Requirements:- Tourism accommodation operators must adhere to relevant laws and regulations and possess a valid registration number under the "Loi sur l’hébergement touristique."- Outfitters require a proper outfitter permit and must comply with wildlife conservation laws, except those bound by specific agreements in northern territories.- Nature or adventure activity providers must be "Qualité-sécurité" accredited by Aventure Écotourisme Québec, or be in the process of obtaining it.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant is not available to certain companies and industries based on their status and activities. The aim is to prioritize projects that align with sustainable and responsible tourism initiatives.

State-owned companies and government ministries or agencies of Quebec or Canada.
Any applicant registered with the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) and businesses under financial restructuring.
Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Companies that have not fulfilled their obligations following a previous financial aid from the Ministry of Tourism, Société du Plan Nord, or other Quebec government ministries in the past two years.
Retail businesses and the restaurant sector.
Projects related to gambling industries.
Projects involving the sale and consumption of alcohol (bars).
Projects that have been partially completed or fully completed before the grant application submission.
Projects that are purely cultural and not related to Indigenous tourism.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The eligible geographical areas for companies applying for this grant are specified to ensure their project is located in the northern regions of Quebec, aiming for economic transformation through tourism. Organizations must operate or plan to implement their projects at or north of the 49th parallel.

Regions at or north of the 49th parallel, including Anticosti Island.
Companies with headquarters outside this territory are eligible if their business activities or upcoming projects are within this specified region.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives.

Mise en valeur de l’axe nature-culture-aventure (globally, or one or the other of these elements).
Présentation claire et précise du projet touristique.
Démonstration du potentiel d’affaires.
Analyse du marché ciblé (et des segmentations de ce marché) et adéquation avec celui-ci.
Compréhension des concurrents.
Potentiel du projet et capacités financières validés par un expert (partner of the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique).
Bonne gestion financière (recognized accounting structure).
Apport positif pour l'économie locale.
Engagement à adhérer à des pratiques écotouristiques et écoresponsables.
Volonté de l’entrepreneur d’être mis au défi, ouverture à être accompagné.

grant_single_labels|register

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

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Check if your organization is among the eligible applicants, such as profit-making organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal organizations, recognized Indigenous communities, or a combination of these.
Ensure your project falls under the admissible categories and is not excluded by grant restrictions.
Step 2: Understand Project Criteria
Review the eligibility criteria for projects, ensuring alignment with the nature-culture-adventure axis.
Prepare a clear and precise presentation of your tourism project.
Validate the business potential and financial capacity with the help of an expert.
Step 3: Complete Application Form
Fill out the application form available on the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique’s website during open call periods.
Step 4: Participate in Interview
Upon invitation, attend an individual interview as part of the application process.
Step 5: Sign Agreement Letter
Sign the letter of agreement formalizing participation in the support program if your application is successful.
Step 6: Prepare Additional Information
Be ready to provide financial data and projections for three years, past financial statements, marketing plans, market validation and target clientele information, a business model, and business plan details, as well as photos of installations or project sites if requested.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique offers two tailored support pathways: Start-up and Acceleration, each lasting up to 18 months.
For the Start-up track, a maximum of 200 hours of support valued at $33,000 is available, with a $1,500 contribution required from the entrepreneur.
For the Acceleration track, a maximum of 250 hours of support valued at $42,000 is available, with a $3,000 contribution required from the entrepreneur.
The program includes group training sessions, personalized mentoring, and custom expert support.
Successful applicants must participate in an interview and sign an agreement to join the program.
The aim is to mobilize projects that contribute to local economic development and adhere to sustainable tourism practices.
The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and the Société du Plan Nord, in collaboration with several regional tourism associations.

grant_single_labels|contact

info@ianord.ca

1-800-567-9009

Apply to this program

Boosting Tourism in Northern Quebec

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique provides essential resources and financial support to cultivate sustainable and innovative tourist projects north of the 49th parallel in Quebec. This initiative aims to enhance the tourism offerings by promoting nature, culture, and adventure, ensuring economic vitality in the region.

Accelerating Sustainable Tourism Development in Northern Territories

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique is a pivotal initiative focused on accelerating the development of tourism projects in the northern regions of Quebec, specifically aiming to uplift projects situated north of the 49th parallel. This incubator-accelerator is distinctive for its dual emphasis on structured business support and potential financial backing, specifically engineered to nurture projects that align with the nature-culture-adventure axis. By doing so, it strategically contributes to enhancing the quality and scope of what these regions have to offer to both national and international visitors. At its core, this program is designed to be inclusive and comprehensive, welcoming a diverse array of organizational entities, from cooperatives and indigenous communities to non-profits and commercial enterprises, provided they meet the prerequisite conditions.

Beneficiaries of this program can choose between two tailored support pathways: the "Parcours Démarrage" for nascent ideas and the "Parcours Accélération" for those who are further along in their business cycle. Each pathway offers extensive guidance over an 18-month period. The "Parcours Démarrage" offers up to 200 hours of personalized support, while "Parcours Accélération" extends up to 250 hours of assistance, providing vital resources to validate business models and optimize operational plans. This kind of mentoring support ensures that participating entrepreneurs can consolidate their strategic visions and fortify their financial frameworks with enhanced confidence and clarity.

A key component of the program is the inherent collaboration it fosters among various entities. With sectoral tourism associations such as the Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec, Tourisme Autochtone Québec, and Aventure Écotourisme Québec at the helm, this initiative also actively partners with regional tourism associations including Tourisme Côte-Nord and Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, among others. Such a network ensures that the resources and insights provided to the entrepreneurs are grounded in extensive industry experience and regional expertise, maximizing the potential for successful project implementation.

Furthermore, the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique is committed to sustainable and eco-friendly practices, mandating that participators adhere to ecotourism standards. This commitment aligns with its broader objectives to increase tourist influx while respecting the ecological and cultural heritage of the regions. Projects selected through this program are expected to demonstrate clear business potential, supported by thorough market analysis and competitive assessments, thereby contributing positively to the local economy and community development. This ensures that each project is not only viable and impactful but also sustainable in the long term.

Sustainable tourism is a vital consideration in today's global economy, and the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique plays a crucial role in this field by not only providing financial resources but also a structured pathway for tourism entrepreneurs. This program supports economic growth in northern territories and enriches the cultural and natural allure of these regions, making them more resilient against unpredictable market changes. The participation of local and indigenous communities ensures a diverse and culturally enriched tourism offering, aligning with broader governmental and societal objectives for regional development.

In conclusion, the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique stands as a testament to the combined power of strategic investment and community-driven project support in cultivating a vibrant future for the northern territories of Quebec. By enabling projects that are aligned with nature, culture, and adventure, this program not only strives to amplify tourism growth but also ensures the preservation and celebration of the unique identity of these regions. It represents an invaluable opportunity for enterprises to leverage tailored support mechanisms, connect with industry experts, and contribute to a sustainable economic future.