Suspended
Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies
Supports Montréal start-ups testing innovative solutions with partner organizations
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 50,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is suspended
Location
Montreal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Overview
The Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies offers up to $50,000, covering a maximum of 50% of eligible project costs, to help emerging businesses in the Montréal area commercialize innovative solutions that address urban issues, ecological transition or labour shortages. Eligible activities include proof of concept and feasibility testing in real conditions, technology validation, pre-commercial demonstrations, market validation and initial sales in sectors such as biofood, tourism, logistics and mobility, medical technologies, clean technologies, green energy and neighbourhood commercial vitality.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is suspended
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Health care and social assistance
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Montreal
- Montréal
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- $ 2,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Collaborative projects between a start-up and a partner organization to test an innovative solution addressing an urban issue, ecological transition or labour shortage in Montréal.
- Joint initiatives to commercialize a new product or solution by proving the concept or demonstrating feasibility through real-world tests and trials with the partner organization.
- Partnership projects focused on validating a technology, including technical trials carried out in the partner’s operational environment.
- Pre-commercial demonstration projects or market validation initiatives conducted with a partner organization to confirm targeted markets and accelerate first sales.
- Sector-based innovation projects in fields such as biofood and access to food, entertainment and tourism, logistics and intelligent mobility, medical technologies and community health, clean technologies and green energy (including energy optimization and circular economy), or commercial vitality and quality of life in neighbourhoods.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Start-up companies (including social economy businesses such as cooperatives and non-profit organizations) that meet the program’s criteria
- Businesses in the biofood sector and organizations working on access to food
- Companies in entertainment and tourism
- Organizations in logistics and intelligent mobility
- Businesses developing medical technologies and community health solutions
- Companies in clean technologies and green energy, including energy optimization and circular economy
- Businesses contributing to the commercial vitality of neighbourhoods and residents’ quality of life
Who is not eligible
- Projects that have already received another subsidy from the City of Montréal.
- Start-ups whose head office or main place of business is located outside Montréal’s boroughs or neighbouring municipalities.
- Projects implemented over a period longer than 12 months.
- Projects whose main activities fall outside the specified sectors (biofood and access to food; entertainment and tourism; logistics and intelligent mobility; medical technologies and community health; clean technologies and green energy including energy optimization and circular economy; commercial vitality of neighbourhoods and residents’ quality of life).
Eligible expenses
- Salaries and wages for temporary or permanent staff working on the project.
- Professional fees, including legal support, research by recognized institutions, accounting services, and services for software or data processing development.
- Purchase of equipment and supplies required for the project.
- Rental fees for equipment used in the project.
- Fees related to obtaining product licencing or certification.
Eligible geographic areas
- Start-up companies whose head office or principal place of business is located in one of Montréal’s boroughs.
- Start-up companies whose head office or principal place of business is located in neighbouring municipalities of Montréal.
- Partner organizations established within the Montréal agglomeration.
Additional information
- The program is currently suspended and new applications cannot be submitted because all available funds have been fully committed.
- The legal framework for this subsidy is defined in the By-law establishing the open innovation subsidy program for emerging businesses (RCG 20-033) and its amendments.
- The program is designed to encourage collaborations that contribute to the sustainable transformation of Montréal, including economic, cultural, social, environmental, and mobility-related dimensions.
- The City reserves the right to request partial or full reimbursement of the subsidy if certain conditions are not respected in the year following project completion.
Documents and links
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies?
The Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies offers up to $50,000, covering a maximum of 50% of eligible project costs, to help emerging businesses in the Montréal area commercialize innovative solutions that address urban issues, ecological transition or labour shortages. Eligible activities include proof of concept and feasibility testing in real conditions, technology validation, pre-commercial demonstrations, market validation and initial sales in sectors such as biofood, tourism, logistics and mobility, medical technologies, clean technologies, green energy and neighbourhood commercial vitality.
How much funding can be received?
Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies program?
To be eligible for the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies program, you must:
Start-up located in a Montréal borough or neighbouring municipality, in operation less than 5 years, with at least two full-time team members and annual sales ≤ $2 million.
Share capital (if a joint-stock company) mainly held by Canadian citizens, permanent residents or CSQ holders, and not more than 50% owned by another legal person; social economy businesses (co-op or non-profit) also eligible.
Project carried out with a partner organization in the Montréal agglomeration that makes a minimum financial contribution.
What expenses are eligible under Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies?
Collaborative projects between a start-up and a partner organization to test an innovative solution addressing an urban issue, ecological transition or labour shortage in Montréal.
Joint initiatives to commercialize a new product or solution by proving the concept or demonstrating feasibility through real-world tests and trials with the partner organization.
Partnership projects focused on validating a technology, including technical trials carried out in the partner’s operational environment.
Pre-commercial demonstration projects or market validation initiatives conducted with a partner organization to confirm targeted markets and accelerate first sales.
Sector-based innovation projects in fields such as biofood and access to food, entertainment and tourism, logistics and intelligent mobility, medical technologies and community health, clean technologies and green energy (including energy optimization and circular economy), or commercial vitality and quality of life in neighbourhoods.
Who can I contact for more information about the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies?
You can contact City of Montreal (MTL) by email at entrepreneuriat@montreal.ca.
Where is the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies available?
The Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies program is available Montréal, Quebec.
Is the Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies is a Grant and Funding