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PSCE – Component 1
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Supports Quebec businesses in strategic supply chain integration
Grant and Funding
Overview
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.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Obtain certifications
- Selling in a new market
- Marketing a product
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Minimum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- $ 100,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
- 1 employees minimum
Audience
- All groups
Activities funded
- Integration of Quebec-made products or services into strategic supply chains within Quebec.
- Participation in Quebec's public procurement markets.
- Hiring a market development specialist or commercial representative in Quebec for the first year.
- Obtaining product or service approvals, conformity, or certifications required by buyers in Quebec.
- Developing a commercialization strategy, including market studies and market development support in Quebec.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 50,000
Acquiring ISO certification for a green energy startup to enter public contracts
$ 75,000
Hiring a market development specialist to integrate Quebec-made eco-friendly packaging into local supply chains
$ 70,000
Creating a marketing strategy for a social enterprise focused on upcycled fashion
$ 40,000
Developing an inventory management system for a local craft brewery to meet supplier requirements
$ 20,000
Registering a new trademark for a locally produced line of organic skincare products
$ 25,000
Obtaining HACCP certification for a local organic food producer to meet public procurement standards
Eligibility
- 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.
Selection 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.
How to apply
1
Prequalification
- Fill out the prequalification form available on the organization's platform.
- Check the compliance of your company and your project with the program's criteria.
2
Analysis of the prequalification
- Wait for the preliminary eligibility confirmation after completing the prequalification form.
- Note that a confirmation does not guarantee the awarding of a grant.
3
Preparation of the request
- Consult the client kit provided to prepare all the required documents.
- Develop a detailed plan for the project to be financed, including market strategy and funding structure.
- Gather all the supporting documents required, such as financial statements and letters of support, if applicable.
4
Submission of the request
- Comply with the submission application presentation guide to prepare the submission file.
- Send all documentation through the appropriate channel mentioned in the guide.
Additional information
- 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.
Documents and links
Contacts
soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com
1-844-474-6367
