SODEC — Support for entrepreneurial development
QC, Canada
The SODEC Entrepreneurial Development Program supports Quebec's cultural enterprises to enhance performance, competitiveness, and expertise acquisition.
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Information and cultural industries
grant_single|grantors
- Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
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The Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Program – SODEC aims to enhance the performance and competitiveness of Quebec cultural enterprises through professional entrepreneurial support. Eligible activities include personalized entrepreneurial guidance, feasibility studies, market analysis, business planning, and strategic development in areas such as technology adoption, commercialization, and financial management. The program offers up to $75,000 in funding per project to cover up to 75% of eligible expenses, particularly for entrepreneurial succession, business transfer, or turnaround projects.
grant_single_labels|projects
The grant supports entrepreneurial development projects for Québec cultural enterprises facing unique challenges. Eligible activities include customized entrepreneurial support tailored to the company's needs and fostering substantial advancements in business operations.
- Models and business plans
- Feasibility and market studies
- Commercialization and export strategies
- Technological and digital solutions
- Intellectual property protection strategies
- Management capacity development strategies
- Entrepreneurial succession or business transfer strategies
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$63,750
Quebec City
Implementing a new inventory management system for an independent bookstore
$75,000
Montreal
Developing a digital marketing strategy for an independent publishing house
$52,500
Ottawa
Creating a succession plan for a family-owned theatre company
$71,250
Toronto
Developing a strategic business plan for a film production company
$45,000
Gatineau
Creating a feasibility study for the expansion of a local art studio
$60,000
Vancouver
Feasibility study and business plan for an art gallery expansion
grant_single_labels|admissibility
To be eligible for this grant, an entity must be a legally constituted, for-profit or non-profit organization mainly operating in the cultural sector with its principal establishment in Quebec, and meet specific project criteria.
- Be a legally constituted for-profit or non-profit organization.
- Primarily operate in the cultural sector.
- Have its principal establishment and headquarters in Quebec.
- Show that the effective control of the company is mostly held by individuals with fiscal residence in Quebec.
- Be operational for at least one year or have appropriate professional experience, or be a new company only in cases of transferring existing cultural businesses.
- Only one project submission per year per company.
- Project must not be submitted under another SODEC financial aid program.
- Individual businesses are not eligible, except in the field of crafts.
- Project must represent a significant advancement and involve structured entrepreneurial support.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Eligible types of companies for this grant must be legally constituted, operating primarily in cultural sectors, and based in Quebec.
- Legally constituted, for-profit, or non-profit companies
- Operating primarily in cultural sectors recognized by SODEC
- Headquartered in Quebec with majority control by Quebec residents
- In operation for at least one year or with appropriate professional experience
- New companies only in the context of existing cultural business transfers
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Specifically, individual enterprises, except those in the field of crafts, are not eligible.
- Individual enterprises (except those in the field of crafts)
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
Yes, there are eligible expenses for this grant. The eligible expenses include fees for advisors and experts, costs related to specific and necessary information purchases, and other pertinent and necessary expenses for the project.
- Fees for advisors and experts
- Costs related to specific and necessary information purchases
- Other pertinent and necessary expenses for the project
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
Eligible geographic zones for this grant are those where the company's head office and principal place of business are located in Quebec, Canada. The company must demonstrate that effective control is predominantly held by individuals with their tax residence in Quebec.
- Company's head office must be in Quebec
- Principal place of business must be in Quebec
- Majority control by individuals with tax residence in Quebec
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Projects are evaluated based on their pertinence and feasibility, as well as the importance of their economic and cultural impact.
- The pertinence of the project of entrepreneurial accompaniment and learnings:
- regarding the identified needs;
- regarding the phase of evolution of the company;
- regarding the regular activities of the company;
- regarding the expertise of the consultants.
- The feasibility of the project:
- realism of the budget and financial structure, eligible expenses, and requested amount;
- financial capacity and contribution of the company;
- company's ability to manage the project and plan measures favorable to the implementation of know-how.
- The importance of the outcomes:
- the economic impact of the project on the development of the company and on the existing or developing cultural content;
- the expected results in the short and medium term.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Access the secure portal SOD@ccès
- Log in to the secure online portal for application submissions.
- Refer to the submission calendar available on the program's web page.
- Step 2: Complete the application form
- Fill in and sign the application form.
- Include a comprehensive project description.
- Provide the financial structure and budget of the project.
- Step 3: Gather supporting documents
- Obtain a service offer or detailed letter of engagement, including fees, signed by the professional advisor(s).
- Include funding confirmations from other public or private partners, if applicable.
- Gather necessary documents for the dossier master update or opening.
- Collect any additional documents required for the application review by SODEC.
- Step 4: Submit the application
- Upload all necessary documents through the SOD@ccès portal.
- Ensure that all information and documents are submitted before the deadline.
- Step 5: Await review and decision
- The application will be reviewed by SODEC professionals, and external opinions may be sought if needed.
- Prioritization will be given to applications showing pertinence and feasibility based on the evaluation criteria.
- Step 6: Sign the financial aid agreement
- If approved, sign the financial aid agreement provided by SODEC.
- Step 7: Implement the project
- Initiate the project activities as outlined in the approved application.
- Adhere to the terms and timelines agreed upon in the financial aid agreement.
- Step 8: Submit a final report
- Upon project completion, submit a final report through the SOD@ccès portal.
- Include a comprehensive impact assessment and financial report.
- Receive the remaining 30% of the financial aid after the acceptance of the final report by SODEC.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
This program requires that applicant companies operate within the cultural sector and encourages sustainable business practices. It also involves periodic evaluations to adapt its strategies to the needs of cultural enterprises.
- Projects in violation of laws, regulations, or government policies, particularly regarding violence, sexism, pornography, or discrimination, are not accepted.
- All financial aid is conditional upon the signature of a financial assistance agreement and adherence to its terms.
- Beneficiaries must provide necessary records, documents, or other information for program evaluations and studies for five years following the financial assistance.
- SODEC promotes the adoption of environmentally responsible business practices among its clients.
Apply to this program
Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Program
The SODEC's Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Program aims to enhance the performance of Quebec's cultural enterprises by supporting projects that address various business challenges. Eligible businesses can receive up to $75,000 in grant funding for projects involving the acquisition of expertise and strategic management.
Understanding the Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Program Offered by SODEC
The Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC) is committed to fostering the growth and competitiveness of Quebec's cultural sector. To this end, SODEC has implemented the Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Program, which is designed to support cultural enterprises at various stages of their evolution, whether they are in startup, expansion, succession, technological pivot, restructuring, or business transfer phases. This extensive guide will explore the objectives, eligibility criteria, financial participation, and application process of this program, ensuring that cultural enterprises can leverage this opportunity to its fullest potential.
Program Overview
The primary focus of the Entrepreneurial Development Assistance Program is to enhance the overall performance and competitiveness of Quebec's cultural enterprises. The program supports professional entrepreneurial coaching projects that help businesses overcome specific challenges or take advantage of new opportunities. By targeting strategic functions, such as financial management, business positioning, internal operations, and entrepreneurial succession, the program ensures that enterprises can navigate through critical phases of their development successfully.
General Objectives
- Improve the performance of Quebec's cultural enterprises.
- Increase the competitiveness of cultural enterprises in national and international markets.
- Enhance the skills and knowledge of cultural industry workers in a constantly evolving environment.
General Eligibility Conditions
Eligible Applicants
- The applicant must be a legally constituted for-profit or non-profit business operating primarily in SODEC's areas of activity.
- The business must have its headquarters and main establishment in Quebec, with control effectively held chiefly by residents with tax residency in Quebec.
- The business should have been operational for at least one year. However, new businesses in the case of cultural enterprise transfers with appropriate professional experience may also apply.
Eligible Projects
The program welcomes projects that involve professional entrepreneurial coaching tailored to the business's actual needs. These projects should facilitate significant advancements for the company and may address geographical challenges, business positioning, developmental needs, adaptation requirements, financial management strategies, strategic deployment, internal functioning, or succession and entrepreneurial transfer situations. Importantly, an eligible business can only submit one project per year to this program, and the project must not have been submitted to any other SODEC financial assistance program.
Specific Objectives for Developing Expertise
- Enable the acquisition of new expertise and know-how within enterprises.
- Accelerate the establishment of favorable conditions for change during critical stages of the business's evolution.
Specific Eligibility Conditions for Acquisition of Expertise
Eligible Applicants
While individual enterprises are generally not eligible, those involved in the crafts sector may be considered for this specific aspect of the program.
Eligible Projects for the Acquisition of Expertise
Projects must involve personalized entrepreneurial coaching aimed at addressing the genuine needs of the requesting enterprises. They should represent a significant advancement for the company and involve a coherent set of activities. The project must be structured around the company's identified needs and include a detailed description of the required learnings and expertise, as well as implementation measures and short- to medium-term result prospects.
Eligible Activities
To qualify, activities must allow the company to reach a decisive stage in its development. These activities are new to the enterprise and can include:
- Business models and plans
- Feasibility studies and market studies
- Marketing and export strategies
- Technological or digital solutions
- Intellectual property protection strategies
- Management capacity development strategies
- Entrepreneurial succession or business transfer strategies
Non-Eligible Activities
- Regular activities of the business
- Ongoing operational activities
- Training activities already supported by SODEC
- Legal or tax consultations related to regular business activities
Financial Participation
Funding Limits and Rates
Financial assistance is granted in the form of a subsidy aimed at carrying out the project's entrepreneurial coaching activities, as approved by SODEC. The grant can reach up to $75,000 per project. This amount can represent up to 50% of eligible expenses or 75% in cases of entrepreneurial succession, business transfer, or restructuring.
Eligible Expenses
Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Fees for consultants and experts
- Costs associated with acquiring specialized information relevant to the project
- Any other expenses necessary and pertinent to completing the project
Non-Eligible Expenses
- Expenses incurred before the application date
- Daily allowances and representation fees (meals, alcohol, etc.)
- Expenses related to the acquisition or production of cultural content
- Expenses for professional training, workshops, seminars, conferences, internships, or courses not specifically designed for the project
- Membership, accreditation, or subscription fees
Disbursement Modalities
- 70% of the funding is disbursed upon signing the agreement.
- 30% is disbursed at the completion of the project's activities, conditional upon submitting and approving a final report, including an impact assessment.
SODEC reserves the right to modify disbursement modalities, depending on the project's nature or complexity. Disbursements are conditional on the availability of funds and the appropriate and sufficient approval of credits by the National Assembly.
Evaluation Criteria
To be considered for evaluation, a project must meet all general and specific eligibility conditions. Professionals at SODEC analyze the applications and may seek external advice if necessary. Priority is given to projects that stand out for their relevance and feasibility, specifically:
- The pertinence of the entrepreneurial coaching project and the learnings with respect to the identified needs, the business's phase of evolution, regular activities, and the expertise of the consultants
- The feasibility of the project in terms of budget realism and financial structure, eligible expenses, and requested amount, as well as the company's financial capacity and contribution
- The company's ability to manage the project and to plan favorable measures to implement the know-how
- The potential economic impact of the project on the business development and the cultural content in existence or in development
- The expected short- and medium-term results
The availability of financial resources at SODEC is also considered during the decision-making process.
Application Submission Process
Applications for financial assistance must be submitted via the secure SOD@ccès portal following the schedule available on the program's webpage. Businesses must provide the following documents:
- A completed and signed application form that includes a detailed project description and financial plan
- A detailed, signed offer of services or letter of commitment (including fees) from the consultants
- Funding confirmations from other public or private partners, if applicable
- Any documents required to open or update the master file
- Any other necessary documents for SODEC to study the file
Company Commitment
Any financial assistance is conditional on signing a financial assistance agreement and adhering to the terms and conditions of the agreement, the program, and any previous grants. SODEC reserves the right to request any information or documents deemed necessary for processing and monitoring files and supporting income and expenses declared by the company. All required documents, information, or reports must be submitted through the secure SOD@ccès portal.
Additional Provisions
SODEC periodically evaluates the program and conducts various studies to adapt its intervention strategy or tools to the needs of cultural enterprises. As such, companies that have received financial assistance under this program must provide all necessary records, documents, or other information for five years following SODEC's financial contribution. The collected information is kept confidential, with only aggregated data being published and disseminated by SODEC.
Ethics in Cultural Projects
Projects that violate laws and regulations or contravene government policies regarding violence, sexism, pornography, or discrimination are not accepted by SODEC, which encourages respect for association codes of ethics.
Sustainable Development
SODEC encourages its clientele to develop green and responsible business practices and models.
