How much funding can be received?

This component of the PSCE program is designed to assist large enterprises with their significant projects on international markets. It aims to encourage these enterprises to undertake projects that promote their internationalization

grant_single_labels|projects

There are several projects and activities eligible for this grant which focus on internationalization and exportation endeavors by large enterprises.

Hiring a commercial representative in foreign markets for up to 52 weeks.
Efforts to secure contracts outside Quebec through tenders or invitations.
Obtaining homologation, compliance, or certification that aids exportation.
Setting up an office, subsidiary, joint venture, or acquiring a business overseas, benefiting Quebec economically without causing local production relocation.
Developing and implementing a marketing strategy for international markets, including digital strategies and tools.
Registering trademarks internationally.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$80,000

Vancouver

Acquiring certification for eco-friendly materials to enhance export potential in Europe

$80,000

Toronto

Hiring commercial reps in Brazil to promote educational software solutions

$95,000

Calgary

Establishing a joint venture in Germany for aerospace component manufacturing

$100,000

Montreal

Opening a new office in Tokyo to expand automotive parts sales in Asian markets

$60,000

Quebec City

Marketing campaign to establish food products in the European market

$85,000

Ottawa

Developing a software platform for international compliance in medical devices

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The eligibility criteria for this grant are focused on the type of enterprise and the sectors that are admissible, alongside specific project requirements.

Enterprise must be a for-profit company, an economic social enterprise (cooperatives and NPOs), or a non-financial cooperative.
Enterprise must have annual revenues of over $100 million.
All sectors are eligible except:
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting
Mining, quarrying, oil, and gas extraction
Utilities
Retail trade (unless meeting three specific criteria)
Finance and insurance
Real estate and rental 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)
Retail trade is eligible if it:
Engages in pre-production activities (e.g., product development)
Engages in post-production activities (e.g., marketing and distribution)
Has its headquarters in Quebec
Projects must involve export-related activities and not be recurring activities for the enterprise.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

There are eligible types of companies for this grant. Eligible companies must be for-profit entities, social economy enterprises (such as cooperatives and non-profit organizations) as defined by the Social Economy Act (RLRQ, chapter E 1.1.1), or non-financial cooperatives with an annual revenue exceeding $100 million.

For-profit entities
Social economy enterprises (cooperatives and non-profit organizations)
Non-financial cooperatives
Annual revenue exceeding $100 million

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Certain types of companies are not eligible for the Program of Support for Commercialization and Exportation (PSCE) - Component 3 grant.

Agriculture, foresterie, pêche et chasse
Extraction minière et exploitation en carrière, extraction de pétrole et de gaz
Services publics
Commerce de détail (with exceptions if certain criteria are met)
Finance et assurances
Services immobiliers et services de location et de location à bail
Gestion de sociétés et d’entreprises
Services administratifs et services de soutien
Services d’enseignement
Soins de santé et assistance sociale
Arts, spectacles et loisirs
Hébergement et restauration
Autres services (sauf les administrations publiques)

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

There are eligible expenses for this grant as part of the Program for Supporting Commercialization and Exportation (PSCE) - Volet 3. Below is a summary of these expenses:

Professional fees including travel and accommodation expenses of external experts
Office or premises rental outside Quebec
Salaries of newly hired commercial representatives for a maximum period of 52 weeks
International trademark registration fees
Advertising, social media, newsletters, and digital marketing expenses
Costs for testing and analysis to obtain certifications facilitating exports
Purchase of normative documents

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Eligible geographic zones for this grant pertain to activities outside the province of Quebec. Projects must facilitate international market integration and be carried out abroad.

Activities must be outside Quebec
International market integration
Projects carried out abroad

grant_single_labels|criteria

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Applications will be rigorously analyzed based on several factors to determine their alignment with the program's goals and the capacity of the company to execute the project.

The pertinence of the project concerning the business model of the company.
The capacity of the company to realize the project based on its financial and human resources.
The company's situation, allowing consideration if the financial aid is a determining factor in the decision to carry out the project.
The potential economic impact of the project in Québec in terms of jobs and investments.
The established governmental priorities in matters of exportation, if applicable.

grant_single_labels|register

Step 1: Fill out the pre-qualification form to confirm your company's and project's preliminary eligibility according to the program criteria.
Step 2: Review the client kit and the Guide de présentation des demandes - Volet 3 to understand all requirements and guidelines.
Step 3: Prepare your application including all required documentation, detailing your project and how it meets the specified criteria.
Step 4: Submit the complete application to Investissement Québec using the proper submission channels.
Step 5: If needed, contact the Service d'accueil et d'information at 1 844 474-6367 for any questions or additional information.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

The Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l'exportation (PSCE) Volet 3 by Investissement Québec is designed to support large businesses in their internationalization projects, with a temporary suspension in place as of February 9, 2024.

Non-reimbursable contribution up to $100,000 per company per year.
Minimum eligible expenses required: $100,000.
Private sources must cover at least 25% of the project total cost.
Government aid cannot exceed 65% of eligible expenses.
Different rates of aid for the first, second, and subsequent projects.
Activity and sector eligibility criteria apply.

grant_single_labels|documents

PSCE – Component 3

grant_single_labels|contact

soutien.aidefinanciere@invest-quebec.com

1-844-474-6367

Apply to this program

Grant Summary

The Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l'exportation (PSCE) aims to assist major enterprises in their internationalization projects, offering non-repayable contributions with specific eligibility and expenditure criteria. Temporarily suspended since February 2024, the grant supports diverse activities fostering international market expansion.

Comprehensive Guide to PSCE - Volet 3: Commercialization and Export Support Program

The Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l'exportation (PSCE) - Volet 3, administered by Investissement Québec, is a vital initiative aimed at propelling large enterprises towards international markets. This article provides a detailed overview of the grant, its objectives, eligibility criteria, and the steps needed to secure funding.

Objective:

The primary goal of the PSCE - Volet 3 is to support large enterprises in executing transformative projects that aid in their internationalization efforts. By providing financial assistance, the program ensures that Quebec’s enterprises can successfully penetrate foreign markets and contribute to the province’s economic growth.

Key Features:

Non-repayable contributions.
Maximum assistance of $100,000 per enterprise per year.
Minimum required eligible expenses of $100,000.
Private sources must contribute at least 25% of the total project cost.
Government assistance cannot exceed 65% of eligible expenses.
Tiered support based on project submission history: 50% for the first project, 40% for the second, and 25% for subsequent projects.

Eligibility Criteria:

Understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial for any enterprise planning to apply:

The enterprise must be a for-profit, a social economy enterprise (such as cooperatives and non-profits), or a non-financial cooperative with a minimum annual revenue of $100 million.
All sectors are eligible except agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting, mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, public services, retail trade (unless specific criteria are met), finance and insurance, real estate, administrative and support services, educational services, health care, arts, entertainment, accommodation, food services, and other services except public administration.

The retail trade sector is eligible only if the enterprise engages in pre-production activities (product development), post-production activities (marketing, commercialization, distribution), and has its headquarters in Quebec.

Eligible Projects and Activities:

The grant targets non-recurring activities related to exportation and facilitating internationalization. Eligible projects include:

Hiring a commercial representative outside Quebec for a maximum of 52 weeks, provided the representative is an employee of a Quebec-based enterprise or a foreign subsidiary owned more than 50% by a Quebec enterprise.
Steps taken to secure contracts outside Quebec through tenders or invitations.
Obtaining certifications or homologations that simplify export procedures.
Establishment of offices, subsidiaries, or joint ventures abroad, or the acquisition of foreign enterprises, given that these actions yield economic benefits for Quebec and do not lead to the delocalization of production units.
Developing and implementing a marketing strategy, including digital strategies for foreign markets, and creating digital and virtual tools.
Registering trademarks internationally.

Eligible Expenses:

Ensuring that your expenses align with the program’s guidelines is essential. Eligible expenses covered by the grant include:

Professional fees, including travel and accommodation expenses of external experts, up to a maximum of $25,000 per project.
Office or local rental expenses outside Quebec.
Salaries for a maximum of 52 weeks (excluding bonuses and benefits), related to hiring new resources acting as commercial representatives abroad, up to $45,000. Enterprises can hire up to three such representatives during the program duration.
Trademark registration fees internationally.
Advertising, social media publication, newsletter dispatch, and Adwords referral costs, along with annual fees for accessing online sales platforms for the first year of operation, combined not exceeding $15,000 per project.
Testing and analysis fees for obtaining export-facilitating certifications.
Costs of purchasing normative documents.

Selection Criteria:

Each application undergoes a thorough evaluation based on several factors, including:

Relevance of the project concerning the company’s business model.
The company’s ability to execute the project based on its financial and human resources.
Company’s current status and whether financial assistance is critical for project execution.
Potential benefits for Quebec in terms of job creation and investment.
Alignment with government export priorities, if applicable.

Temporary Suspension Notice:

As of February 2024, the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy (MEIE) has temporarily suspended the submission of new requests under PSCE Volets 2 and 3. This measure ensures the availability of funds to honor contractual commitments. Incomplete applications will not be processed during this period.

Application Process:

Before starting the application process, enterprises are encouraged to complete a prequalification form and review the client kit provided by Investissement Québec. This step confirms preliminary eligibility following the program’s criteria. However, this confirmation does not guarantee financial assistance approval.

Upon resumption of the program, enterprises should meticulously prepare their applications to align with the grant’s requirements. Detailed documentation, a clear project outline, and a demonstration of the project’s potential economic impact on Quebec are critical components of a successful application.

For further assistance, enterprises can contact the Service d’accueil et d’information at 1 844 474-6367.

Conclusion:

The PSCE - Volet 3 grant is an invaluable resource for large enterprises in Quebec looking to expand internationally. Understanding the comprehensive details, from eligibility to application requirements, is essential for navigating the program successfully. With thorough preparation, enterprises can leverage this financial support to achieve significant milestones in their internationalization journey.

Stay informed about the program’s status and ready to act once the suspension is lifted, ensuring your enterprise is among the first to benefit from this pivotal grant.