Open
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 10,000
Timeline
- Closing date : August 16, 2026
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The program recognizes emerging leaders in Quebec’s food industry with awards of up to $10,000 and partner support. It highlights food processing, business succession, young professionals, and young entrepreneurs in foodservice.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Start a business
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
Timeline
- Closing date : August 16, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- From $ 100,000 to $ 5,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Youth (<40)
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Growth and development of food processing start-ups.
- Expansion projects for established food processing companies.
- Business succession and post-acquisition development.
- Innovation and new business practices in the food sector.
- Career and leadership recognition for young professionals and entrepreneurs in Quebec food businesses.
Documents Needed
- Completed application form
- All documents requested in the form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Food processing companies based in Quebec, including cooperatives
- Food processing companies in startup phase
- Growing food processing companies
- Food processing companies recently acquired or transferred
- Restaurants, catering businesses, and social or solidarity economy enterprises actively featuring Quebec food products
Who is not eligible
- Companies not operating in the food processing sector in Quebec.
- Businesses not registered in Quebec.
- Companies that do not hold a provincial or federal food processing permit.
- Past winners of the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award applying in the same category.
Eligible expenses
- Cash awards of up to $10,000, depending on the category.
- Food credit at Colabor for the restaurant category.
- Partner services and accompaniment, including legal support, training, mentoring, and market data sessions.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed by a jury made up of professionals from the Quebec food industry.
- Finalists are selected based on the category-specific evaluation grid.
- Up to three finalists may be chosen per category.
- A minimum score of 70 out of 100 is required to become a finalist.
- Winners are announced at the Soirée Relève Initia.
Additional information
- The winners are announced during the "Soirée Relève Initia," an annual event attended by over 200 industry stakeholders.
- A maximum of three finalists per category will be determined by the jury.
- Jury members and the Fondation Initia staff are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all information submitted.
- The organizers reserve the right to reject incomplete or unclear submissions, or those not meeting language or submission requirements.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award Program
What is the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award?
The program recognizes emerging leaders in Quebec’s food industry with awards of up to $10,000 and partner support. It highlights food processing, business succession, young professionals, and young entrepreneurs in foodservice.
How much funding can be received?
Relève Alimentaire Québec Award Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $10,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program?
To be eligible for the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program, you must:
Must be a food processing company registered in Quebec.
Must hold a provincial or federal food processing permit.
Products must be sold in Quebec.
What expenses are eligible under Relève Alimentaire Québec Award?
Growth and development of food processing start-ups.
Expansion projects for established food processing companies.
Business succession and post-acquisition development.
Innovation and new business practices in the food sector.
Career and leadership recognition for young professionals and entrepreneurs in Quebec food businesses.
Who can I contact for more information about the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award?
You can contact Initia Foundation by email at bourses@initia.org.
Where is the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award available?
The Relève Alimentaire Québec Award program is available the province of Quebec.
Is the Relève Alimentaire Québec Award a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Relève Alimentaire Québec Award is a Partnering and Collaboration