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SME in action
Supports Quebec SMEs in productivity, growth, and competitiveness
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : April 1, 2015
- Closing date : March 31, 2019
Location
Quebec, Canada
Overview
The "SME in Action" program provides up to $17.5 million in financial support to businesses, aiming to boost productivity and competitiveness among Quebec SMEs. Eligible activities include investment project feasibility studies, implementation of productivity-enhancing business practices, and support for business recovery and retention initiatives.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
- Increase operational productivity
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open Date : April 1, 2015
- Closing date : March 31, 2019
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Manufacturing
Location
- Quebec
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Startups
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Conducting preliminary studies for investment projects, including assessments of processes or technologies and market analyses.
- Implementing targeted business practices or actions aimed at productivity gains, such as introducing integrated management systems and optimizing supply chains.
- Undertaking analyses to support business recovery or retention, including financial or operational assessments and the development of turnaround plans.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Quebec
- Companies in the manufacturing sector in Quebec
Eligible expenses
- Costs related to preliminary studies such as process or technology evaluations and market analyses.
- Expenses for implementing integrated management systems or customer relationship management systems.
- Costs for optimizing supply chains and implementing cost accounting systems.
- Expenses associated with preserving major industrial assets.
- Financial or operational situation assessments of the company.
- Development and monitoring costs for business recovery plans.
Eligible geographic areas
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Relevance of the project in addressing persistent productivity challenges among Quebec SMEs, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
- Potential effectiveness of the project in contributing to business development and achieving targeted outcomes for productivity and competitiveness.
- Coherence and complementarity of the proposed project with other government support programs aimed at SME growth.
- Reasonableness of project costs relative to expected results (cost-efficiency).
- Proper alignment of project management and reporting practices with the program’s normative framework.
Additional information
- The program's evaluation emphasizes maintaining complementarities with other government support programs targeting business growth.
- There are proposed improvements related to digitalizing project result data collection and ensuring completion of all result forms for finished projects.
- High satisfaction rates were recorded among program beneficiaries, with levels exceeding 94% across surveyed elements.
- The evaluation recommends considering the addition of quantified targets in the program's normative framework during future renewals.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the SME in action Program
What is the SME in action?
The "SME in Action" program provides up to $17.5 million in financial support to businesses, aiming to boost productivity and competitiveness among Quebec SMEs. Eligible activities include investment project feasibility studies, implementation of productivity-enhancing business practices, and support for business recovery and retention initiatives.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was March 31, 2019.
Who is eligible for the SME in action program?
To be eligible for the SME in action program, you must:
The business must be a Quebec-based SME (small or medium enterprise).
Projects must aim to increase productivity or business growth.
What expenses are eligible under SME in action?
Conducting preliminary studies for investment projects, including assessments of processes or technologies and market analyses.
Implementing targeted business practices or actions aimed at productivity gains, such as introducing integrated management systems and optimizing supply chains.
Undertaking analyses to support business recovery or retention, including financial or operational assessments and the development of turnaround plans.
Who can I contact for more information about the SME in action?
You can contact Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE) by email at evaluation@economie.gouv.qc.ca.
Where is the SME in action available?
The SME in action program is available the province of Quebec.
Who are the financial supporters of the SME in action?
SME in action is funded by Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)