Open
Source verified July 31, 2026
Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support
Supports business startup, acquisition, expansion, and succession projects
Offered by
Funding available
$ 20,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Saguenay, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada
Overview
Soutien aux entreprises Fonds régions et ruralité (FRR) offers non-repayable financial assistance of up to $20,000 to cooperatives, private or social economy businesses, and individuals wishing to start a business in the territory of Saguenay. Eligible support covers start-up, business acquisition or succession, and major expansion or pre-feasibility initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Start a business
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Saguenay
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Business start-up projects.
- Business acquisition or entrepreneurial succession projects.
- Major start-up or expansion projects.
- Self-employment and social economy projects.
- Emergency, pre-start-up, and project pre-feasibility initiatives.
Documents Needed
- A business plan, a business model canvas, or a project description sheet.
- Financial statements for the previous two years, for an existing business.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Cooperatives
- Private enterprises
- Social economy enterprises
- Individuals wishing to start a business
Who is not eligible
- Private businesses in the financial sector and financial cooperatives.
- Businesses in the real estate sector.
- Businesses not located in the territory of the City of Saguenay.
- Businesses whose main purpose is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, such as religion, politics, or rights advocacy.
- Businesses listed in the Register of enterprises ineligible for public contracts, or that failed to meet obligations tied to prior government financial assistance in the previous two years after formal notice.
Eligible expenses
- Capital expenditures for items such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, incorporation costs, and similar expenses.
- Acquisition of technologies, including know-how, licences or manufacturing agreements, patents, software, or similar items.
- Professional fees for studies.
- Job creation costs for major projects.
- Working capital needs.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Expenses incurred to support a project in the retail or restaurant sectors.
- Debt financing and repayment of future loans.
- Costs incurred before the official project receipt date by Promotion Saguenay.
Eligible geographic areas
- Companies located within the territory of the City of Saguenay.
Selection criteria
- Viability and profitability of the project.
- Competencies of the project promoters.
- Economic, social, or environmental impacts on the Saguenay territory.
- Investments generated by the project.
- Analysis of market competition to ensure real employment growth.
How to apply
- Contact Promotion Saguenay to present your request for financial assistance.
- Prepare the application with a Promotion Saguenay business advisor.
- Submit a complete financial support application file to Promotion Saguenay through a business advisor.
Processing and Agreement
- Promotion Saguenay verifies project eligibility and informs promoters as soon as possible if a project is deemed ineligible.
- An economic development advisor analyzes the file.
- The responsible advisor presents the file to the investment committee, and some files may be presented directly to the board of directors.
- The board of directors receives a recommendation, the promoter receives a response, and the promoter must then meet the required conditions.
- Funding is paid only once all necessary conditions are met, requires a protocol agreement with Promotion Saguenay, and is followed by file monitoring.
Additional information
- Promotion Saguenay may also launch calls for projects to support businesses active in targeted economic sectors or to address specific strategic issues, such as digital transition, commercialization, or sustainable development.
- The investment policy was adopted on April 7, 2026.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support Program
What is the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support?
Soutien aux entreprises Fonds régions et ruralité (FRR) offers non-repayable financial assistance of up to $20,000 to cooperatives, private or social economy businesses, and individuals wishing to start a business in the territory of Saguenay. Eligible support covers start-up, business acquisition or succession, and major expansion or pre-feasibility initiatives.
How much funding can be received?
Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $20,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support program?
To be eligible for the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support program, you must:
Applicants must be cooperatives, private or social economy businesses, or individuals wishing to start a business.
Promoters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old, and hold a valid registered business number in Canada.
The business must be located in Saguenay and the project must involve a commercialized, non-one-time activity.
What expenses are eligible under Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support?
Business start-up projects.
Business acquisition or entrepreneurial succession projects.
Major start-up or expansion projects.
Self-employment and social economy projects.
Emergency, pre-start-up, and project pre-feasibility initiatives.
Who can I contact for more information about the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support?
You can contact Promotion Saguenay by email at entreprise@saguenay.ca or by phone at 418 698-3157.
Where is the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support available?
The Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support program is available Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec.
Is the Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Saguenay Promotion — FRR – Business Support is a Grant and Funding