PSCE – Component 1

• 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.

• The applicant must be a for-profit business, a social economy enterprise (cooperative or non-profit organization as defined by Quebec law), or a non-financial cooperative.
• The company must have annual revenues of less than $100 million.
• The company must operate in a sector eligible under the program guidelines.
• The project must aim to integrate Quebec products or services into strategic supply chains or public markets in Quebec.
• The company must have its head office in Quebec if operating in the retail sector and meet specified preproduction and postproduction activity requirements.

Who is eligible?

• For-profit companies with annual revenues under $100 million
• Social economy enterprises (cooperatives and non-profit organizations under the Social Economy Act, excluding financial cooperatives)
• Most industry sectors, except those explicitly excluded
• Retail businesses only if they meet three specific conditions (pre-production, post-production activities, and have their head office in Quebec)

Who is not eligible

• 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).

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.

• 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.

• As of February 23, 2024, the intake of new applications is suspended until further notice to ensure fund availability for existing commitments.
• Applications submitted before February 23, 2024, will continue to be processed.
• A prequalification form must be filled out before starting the full application process; completion does not equate to funding approval.
• Further conditions may apply and are subject to change as directed by the program administrators.