How much funding can be received?

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique offers a non-repayable grant of up to $400,000 for businesses undertaking tourism projects north of the 49th parallel, focusing on nature-culture-adventure axes. Eligible activities include sport fishing, adventure tourism, ecotourism, and indigenous tourism, aiming to enhance the economic dynamism of the region.

grant_single_labels|projects

The eligible projects for this grant aim to enhance the tourism sector with a focus on nature, culture, and adventure. These projects are designed to promote sustainable tourism growth and economic development in the specified regions.

Sport fishing initiatives.
Tourist accommodations combined with activities related to nature, culture, and adventure.
Valorization activities of wildlife potential in outfitter locations.
Adventure tourism and ecotourism projects.
Indigenous tourism projects.
Original combinations of the above categories.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

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

Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, cooperatives, municipal organizations, recognized Indigenous communities and nations, or partnerships thereof.
Projects must be located north of the 49th parallel (including Anticosti Island).
Applicants with headquarters outside the designated territory can qualify if their project activities take place within the specified area.
State-owned enterprises, ministries, and government agencies at both the provincial and federal levels are excluded.
Applicants listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) and those under financial restructuring or bankruptcy protection are not eligible.
Entities that have previously failed to fulfill financial aid obligations in the last two years are excluded.
Businesses in the tourism accommodation sector must comply with existing laws and hold a registration number as per the Tourist Accommodation Act.
Outfitters must have a valid outfitter's license and meet obligations under the Act on the Conservation and Development of Wildlife, unless exempt under specific legislation.
Nature and adventure activity providers must be "Qualité-sécurité" accredited or pursuing accreditation by Aventure Écotourisme Québec.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Eligible applicants for the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique must be organizations intending to implement tourism projects focused on the nature-culture-adventure axis. These entities include:- For-profit organizations (OBL);- Non-profit organizations (OBNL);- Cooperatives;- Municipal organizations;- Indigenous communities and nations recognized by the National Assembly;- Any combination of these types of businesses.Projects must be located north of the 49th parallel or have activities taking place within the designated territory. Organizations excluded from applying include government-controlled entities, companies under restructuring or bankruptcy protection, applicants on the Register of Ineligible Businesses for Public Contracts (RENA), and those previously failing to meet their obligations under past financial aid agreements.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant program is not accessible to certain companies and entities based on their ownership, legal, and financial status. These restrictions ensure the program supports appropriate and qualified tourism projects in the specified region.

State-owned corporations and government departments or agencies of Quebec or Canada, including those controlled directly or indirectly by a provincial or federal government.
Applicants listed in the Register of Enterprises Ineligible for Public Contracts (RENA) and companies in financial recovery.
Companies under the protection of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act or the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.
Businesses that have not fulfilled obligations related to previous financial aid granted by the Ministry of Tourism, Société du Plan Nord, or other Quebec government ministries within the last two years, despite formal notice.
Projects related to retail, restaurant, gambling, bars, or those partially or fully completed before the application.
Purely cultural projects not linked to indigenous tourism.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is available to companies operating or planning projects in specific regions north of the 49th parallel in Québec. These geographical areas are chosen to support tourism initiatives aligned with nature, culture, and adventure themes.

Regions north of the 49th parallel in Québec, including Anticosti Island.
Tourism development regions such as Côte-Nord, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Eeyou Istchee, Baie-James, and Nunavik.

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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 (globalement, ou l’un ou l’autre de ces éléments).
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 (partenaire de l’Incubateur-accélérateur nordique).
Bonne gestion financière (structure comptable reconnue).
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 the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique grant:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Ensure your organisation type is among those eligible (e.g., OBL, OBNL, cooperatives, municipal organisations, recognised Indigenous communities and nations).
Confirm your project falls within the eligible categories and geographic location (north of the 49th parallel).
Step 2: Understand Project Criteria
Familiarise yourself with the uses, requirements, and specifics of eligible projects such as nature-culture-adventure activities.
Review the selection criteria, including business potential and financial management capabilities.
Step 3: Prepare the Application
Complete the application form available on the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique’s website during project calls.
Gather and prepare necessary documents such as financial data, business model and plan, market validation, and photos of project sites.
Step 4: Participate in Interview
Attend an individual interview upon invitation to discuss your project further.
Step 5: Sign Agreement
Sign the letter of agreement formalizing participation in the accompaniment program.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit your completed application package through the specified process in the call for projects.
Ensure submission within the designated timeframe, mentioned on the official website or via contact.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The assistance provided is in the form of a non-repayable grant.
The maximum financial aid per company can be increased to $600,000 if the company undertakes more than one support pathway.
The beneficiary's financial contribution must originate from a non-governmental source.
The total governmental aid received from all ministries and agencies of Quebec and Canada must not exceed a defined cumulative percentage.
The program is set to end on March 31, 2026, with financial support contingent on funds availability.
Applicants must confirm their eligibility by reviewing the provided list of eligible and ineligible projects, clients, and organizations.
Applicants are required to participate in an individual interview by invitation as part of the application process.
Eligible applicants must sign an agreement letter to participate in the support program.
This accelerator is managed by specialized sectoral tourism associations: La Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec, Tourisme Autochtone Québec, and Aventure Écotourisme Québec.

grant_single_labels|contact

info@ianord.ca

1-800-567-9009

Apply to this program

Boosting Tourism Projects in Northern Quebec

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique grant supports the development of responsible and sustainable tourism projects north of the 49th parallel in Quebec. This initiative aims to enhance the tourist offerings by supporting projects in nature, culture, and adventure, and provides entrepreneurs with professional guidance and potential financial aid of up to $600,000 per enterprise.

Detailed Insight into the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique Grant

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique is a stimulating opportunity aimed at transforming the northern Quebec territories into vibrant tourist destinations. With a structured approach, it fosters the growth of innovative projects that elevate the region's tourism profile by combining aspects of nature, culture, and adventure. Managed by premier tourism associations such as the Fédération des Pourvoiries du Québec, Tourisme Autochtone Québec, and Aventure Écotourisme Québec, it ensures an authoritative oversight by experts in the field.

This grant predominantly targets entrepreneurs and entities ranging from non-profit organizations to cooperatives and indigenous communities recognized by the National Assembly. By focusing exclusively on projects north of the 49th parallel, including regions like Anticosti Island, it emphasizes enhancing local economies through increased tourist traffic and expenditure.

An essential element of this program is its dual-phase approach. Firstly, selected projects benefit from professional mentoring where experts provide tailored advice in entrepreneurship and industry-specific insights. Potential recipients are then evaluated for financial assistance, which comprises a grant ceiling of $400,000 for a single course of aid, extendable to $600,000 for enterprises engaging in more than one support program. This financial boost is crucial for projects that struggle with funding due to their novel nature or high initial resource requirements.

To be considered for this financial assistance, applicants must demonstrate a clear business potential and possess a rigorous understanding of their market and competitive landscape. Key selection criteria include demonstrable positive impacts on local economies, the project's alignment with ecotourism practices, and the entrepreneur's openness to guidance and innovation.

The grant encourages projects that stretch traditional tourism boundaries, integrating facets of adventure and cultural appreciation into the tourist experience. Activities such as sport fishing, eco-tourism, indigenous tourism, and the development of unique accommodation options that intertwine with natural and cultural themes are particularly encouraged. This not only enhances the visitor experience but also promotes sustainable tourism practices that respect and preserve the regional environment and culture.

Despite its expansive support, the grant stipulates strict conditions for applicant eligibility, ensuring that governmental bodies, entities under financial restructuring, or applicants with past contractual defaults do not qualify. Furthermore, a significant portion of project funding must stem from non-governmental sources, ensuring a balanced financial structure. Additionally, all supported projects must comply with Quebec's tourism and environmental regulations, securing the province's commitment to responsible tourism development.

Set to conclude by March 31, 2026, the Incubateur-accélérateur nordique seeks to anchor new business models that thrive on the potential of northern Quebec. The program aims at measurable outcomes, such as increasing the number of operating days and customer visits for supported enterprises, while also facilitating a broader reach into international tourist markets.

For prospective applicants, a full understanding of eligible project types—ranging from adventure tourism to culture-based offerings—is crucial. The application process demands thorough preparation, including financial projections, business plans, and market validations, reinforcing the prospective entrepreneurs' readiness to embark on this innovative journey.

The Incubateur-accélérateur nordique stands as a catalyst for sustainable tourism ventures, transforming northern Quebec into a dynamic hub for tourists seeking authentic and enriching experiences amidst nature’s splendor and cultural heritage. As organizations harness this grant, they contribute not only to their success but also to a resilient and sustainable tourism infrastructure in Quebec.