P
Closed
Last Update: April 29, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
This program provides a pre-startup loan of up to $100,000 for social economy businesses. It supports project preparation, implementation, and related eligible activities during the pre-startup stage.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- All legal structures
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Preparation and implementation of a new social economy business
- Development of a project from idea stage to launch
- Prototype creation and market testing
- Business planning and complementary studies to finalize the business plan
Documents Needed
- Completed and signed application form
- Completed and signed declarations and consent form
- Organization resolution authorizing the signatory
- Letters patent or charter, bylaws, and borrowing bylaw
- Business plan or project presentation with operational planning
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- New social economy businesses
- Entities in pre-startup stage
- Related or autonomous entities of an existing collective enterprise
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that have already made sales before the application date, except for market tests or pre-commercialization activities
Eligible expenses
- Hiring internal or external human resources essential to launch the business
- Office rental, telecommunications, supplies, and other operating costs
- Computer equipment and hardware purchases
- Prototype development, market testing, consulting, and research and development
- Travel, representation, and other essential project costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Preliminary validation of project feasibility
- Building acquisition, construction, or renovation
- Equipment for future operations
- Incorporation fees
- Costs incurred before the funding application
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Application eligibility is validated first by the RISQ team
- A financial analyst reviews the file and prepares an analysis report
- The investment committee reviews the report and recommends approval, refusal, or amendments
- If approved, the applicant signs the investment offer and receives the disbursement
- Repayment is followed by the RISQ after project launch or financing realization
Additional information
- The program supports social economy start-ups in the pre-startup stage.
- Funding can also support related or autonomous entities of an existing collective enterprise.
- Applicants may later seek capitalization funding for the project launch.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prêt de prédémarrage Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Prêt de prédémarrage. 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 Prêt de prédémarrage?
This program provides a pre-startup loan of up to $100,000 for social economy businesses. It supports project preparation, implementation, and related eligible activities during the pre-startup stage.
How much funding can be received?
Prêt de prédémarrage Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Prêt de prédémarrage program?
To be eligible for the Prêt de prédémarrage program, you must:
New pre-startup business
Less than 3 years in operation
Social economy entity
What expenses are eligible under Prêt de prédémarrage?
Preparation and implementation of a new social economy business
Development of a project from idea stage to launch
Prototype creation and market testing
Business planning and complementary studies to finalize the business plan
Who can I contact for more information about the Prêt de prédémarrage?
You can contact Fonds RISQ by email at isabelle.cote@fonds-risq.qc.ca or by phone at 514-866-2355.
Where is the Prêt de prédémarrage available?
The Prêt de prédémarrage program is available the province of Quebec.
Who are the financial supporters of the Prêt de prédémarrage?
Prêt de prédémarrage is funded by Fonds RISQ