Open Innovation Subsidy Program for start-up companies

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the emerging company's location, organizational structure, and financial status.

• The company must have its head office or main place of business located within the Greater Montreal area.
• The company must be in its startup phase or have been in operation for less than 5 years.
• The company must have at least 2 full-time employees.
• The company's annual revenue must be equal to or less than $2 million.
• If the company is a corporation, its share capital must be mainly owned by Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals holding a Quebec selection certificate, with no more than 50% ownership by another legal entity.
• Social economy enterprises (cooperatives or non-profit organizations) meeting the above criteria are also eligible.

Who is eligible?

This grant is designed to evaluate and select projects that demonstrate the potential to positively impact the sustainable transformation of Montreal through innovative business solutions.

• Potential for growth of the emerging company and capability to complete the project.
• Quality of the project and the collaboration between the emerging company and the partner organization.
• Scope and outcomes of the project.

Who is not eligible

This grant has specific eligibility criteria which implicitly exclude certain companies or industries due to the nature and objectives of the program. However, no explicit restrictions on specific types of industries or companies that cannot apply are mentioned in the provided context.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the implementation and success of the project.

• Remuneration of temporary or permanent staff according to market conditions.
• Professional fees, such as legal support, research conducted by a recognized institution, accounting services, software development, or data processing services.
• Purchase of equipment and supplies.
• Rental costs for equipment.
• Costs related to obtaining approvals or certifications.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available exclusively to companies situated in designated geographical regions within Montreal. The eligibility is precisely outlined to encourage local innovation and sustainability efforts.

• Companies with their head office or principal place of business within the montreal agglomeration.
• Partners must also be established within the territory of the Montreal agglomeration.

The evaluation and selection of projects under this grant focus on assessing the growth potential, collaboration quality, and impact of the project.

• Potential growth of the emerging business and its capacity to complete the project.
• Quality of the project and the collaboration between the emerging business and the partner organization.
• Scope and impact of the project.

Additional important details about the grant include:

• The project must be completed within a 12-month time frame.
• The maximum grant amount covers 50% of the real project costs, up to $50,000.
• The partner organization must contribute at least 10% of the project costs as part of the funding arrangement.
• The emerging company retains ownership of all rights related to any adaptations, modifications, or developments made to the innovative product during the project.
• The first payment installment is 60% of the estimated maximum grant amount and is released once the project is declared eligible and the contract with the partner organization is signed.
• The remaining balance of the grant is disbursed after the accounting documents are submitted.
• The City of Montréal reserves the right to reclaim the grant partially or entirely if the emerging company relocates its headquarters outside Quebec or if control of the company undergoes ownership changes within one year of project completion.