How much funding can be received?

The Program for Support in Commercialization and Export (PSCE) - Stream 1, aims to enhance the capacity of SMEs to market their products and services within the Quebec market as a step towards exportation, offering a non-repayable contribution of up to $250,000 per enterprise annually. Eligible activities include hiring a market development specialist, obtaining necessary certifications, developing a commercialization strategy, and registering trademarks in Quebec.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

Non-repayable contribution covering up to 50% of eligible project expenses.
Maximum funding amount: $250,000 per company, per year.
Minimum eligible project expenses: $25,000.
Mandatory private contribution: at least 25% of the total project cost.
Cumulative government assistance: maximum of 85% of eligible expenses.
Maximum financial assistance for hiring a new market development or commercial representative resource: $45,000 per position; limited to one hire for the duration of the program.

grant_single_labels|projects

This program supports projects aimed at integrating Quebec products and services into strategic supply chains and public markets. These efforts enhance the capacity of businesses to meet procurement demands and penetrate key market segments in Quebec.

Hiring a market development specialist or sales representative in Quebec for the first year.
Obtaining certification, compliance, or accreditation required by a buyer, including necessary testing and evaluations.
Developing a marketing strategy, including conducting a market study in Quebec and gaining market development knowledge.
Inventory development and management when required by a client or to integrate a supply chain.
Registering trademarks in Quebec.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 20,000

Registering a new trademark for a locally produced line of organic skincare products

$ 70,000

Creating a marketing strategy for a social enterprise focused on upcycled fashion

$ 75,000

Hiring a market development specialist to integrate Quebec-made eco-friendly packaging into local supply chains

$ 50,000

Acquiring ISO certification for a green energy startup to enter public contracts

$ 40,000

Developing an inventory management system for a local craft brewery to meet supplier requirements

$ 25,000

Obtaining HACCP certification for a local organic food producer to meet public procurement standards

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the type of business and its sector.

The business must be a for-profit company, a social economy enterprise (cooperatives and non-profit organizations) as defined by the Loi sur l’économie sociale (RLRQ, chapitre E 1.1.1), or a non-financial cooperative.
The business must have an annual revenue of less than $100 million.
All sectors of activity are eligible except for the following:
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting.
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.
Utilities.
Retail trade, unless the business meets all three of the following criteria:
Engages in pre-production activities (product development).
Engages in post-production activities (marketing and distribution).
Has its head office in Quebec.
Finance and insurance.
Real estate and rental and leasing services.
Management of companies and enterprises.
Administrative and support services.
Educational services.
Health care and social assistance.
Arts, entertainment, and recreation.
Accommodation and food services.
Other services (except public administration).

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Program of Support for Commercialization and Exportation (PSCE) under Stream 1 is intended for businesses that aim to enhance their capacity to market products and services within the Quebec market, with a view towards potential exportation. To be eligible, the applicant must be:- A for-profit business, a social economy enterprise (such as cooperatives and NPOs as defined by Quebec's social economy law), or a non-financial cooperative;- Generating less than $100 million in annual revenue.All sectors of activity are eligible except the following sectors:- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting- Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction- Utilities- Retail trade, unless they meet all the specified pre-production, post-production, and headquarters location criteria- Finance and insurance- Real estate and rental and leasing services- Management of companies and enterprises- Administrative and support services- Educational services- Healthcare and social assistance- Arts, entertainment and recreation- Accommodation and food services- Other services (except public administration)Eligible projects should involve the integration of Quebecois products or services into strategic supply chains or public markets in Quebec. Potential projects include hiring a market development specialist or representative, obtaining necessary certifications, developing marketing strategies, managing inventory for supply chain integration, and registering trademarks in Quebec.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Companies in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting sectors.
Businesses involved in mining and quarrying, including oil and gas extraction.
Public utilities.
Retail trade companies, unless they meet all three specific conditions: engage in preproduction activities (product development), postproduction activities (commercialization, marketing, and distribution), and have their head office in Quebec.
Companies in the finance and insurance sector.
Real estate, rental, and leasing service providers.
Businesses focused on management of companies and enterprises.
Administrative and support service providers.
Educational service organizations.
Health care and social assistance organizations.
Arts, entertainment, and recreation companies.
Accommodation and food services businesses.
Other services (excluding public administration).

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Professional fees, including, where applicable, travel and accommodation expenses for specialized services (including subcontracted services in accordance with current government standards).
Salary for a maximum period of 52 weeks (excluding bonuses and social benefits) related to the hiring of a new resource focused on market development in Quebec (aid amount: up to $45,000; maximum one hire for the program duration).
Salary (excluding bonuses and social benefits) for the hiring of a new resource acting as a commercial representative in Quebec (aid amount: up to $45,000; maximum one hire for the program duration).
Trademark registration fees in Quebec.
Testing and analysis fees and the cost of acquiring normative documents required for obtaining approvals, conformity, or certification facilitating commercialization.
Rental fees for storage space for materials or inventory in Quebec, when required by the client or to integrate a supply chain.
Transportation costs for materials or inventory when required by the client or to integrate a supply chain.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The strategic importance of the supply chain or public tenders targeted by the application.
The quality and realism of the project.
The company’s capacity to integrate into a supply chain or respond to future public tenders.
The project is considered supported by a prime contractor, with a formal commitment, to integrate into its value or supply chain.
The potential Quebec market for the product or service.
The financing structure, including partner support, financial solidity of the company (current and projected), and the capacity of the team in place to deliver the project.
The quality and realism of the project implementation plan.

grant_single_labels|apply

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Grant suspensions mean that no new applications can be submitted for an indefinite period.
Applications received before the suspension date will still be processed.
The total government aid that can be combined with this grant is capped at 85% of eligible expenses.
A minimum of 25% of the project's cost must be funded from private sources.