Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district
Last Update: May 28, 2025
Québec, QC
Financial support for business development projects in Saint-Roch
Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $500,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Loans and Capital investments
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Grant Providers
- Quebec City
Status
Open
Overview of the Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district program
The Supporting the Development of the Saint-Roch District grant provides up to $500,000 per project to assist businesses investing in real estate improvements and technological development in the Saint-Roch area. Eligible activities include property renovations, technological equipment purchases, and professional services to support significant business growth milestones.
Financing terms and conditions
- Maximum financial contribution of $500,000 per project.
- Funding covers up to 25% of eligible project expenses.
- Total active financing for all City of Québec economic development programs is capped at $500,000 per two-year period per recipient.
Eligible projects & activities
- Implementation of real estate improvements and fit-out projects in the Saint-Roch district to support significant technological development and business growth milestones.
- Establishment of new technology development spaces, such as virtual reality development rooms, for companies in digital arts, interactive entertainment, fintech, artificial intelligence, smart city, or other digital product and technology sectors.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 485,000
Renovation and fit-out for an AI lab and testing center
$ 480,000
Expansion and modernization of smart city simulation studio
$ 470,000
Fit-out of collaborative space for digital art startups
$ 482,000
Retrofit of lofts for game development incubator and test beds
$ 478,000
Virtual reality content studio buildout with acoustic treatments
Eligibility criteria of the Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district program
- The applicant must be a private incorporated business or a social economy enterprise (non-profit or cooperative) carrying out primarily commercial activities.
- The project must involve property improvements or leasehold renovations in the Saint-Roch district and be necessary for technological development initiatives that advance significant growth milestones.
- The business activity should be related to digital arts, interactive entertainment, financial technologies, artificial intelligence, smart city, or other digital products and technologies, excluding service or consulting-only activities.
- If the applicant is a tenant, the project must be conducted under a lease of at least 5 years' duration and an engagement to remain in the district for 10 years.
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated private companies
- Social economy enterprises (non-profit organizations and cooperatives) primarily engaged in commercial activities
- Companies operating in digital arts and interactive entertainment
- Companies in financial technologies, artificial intelligence, smart city, or other digital products and technologies (excluding consulting and services)
Who is not eligible
- Social economy organizations (NPOs and co-ops) that cannot demonstrate sound democratic governance.
- Applicants not discharged from bankruptcy.
- Companies listed in the Registry of enterprises ineligible for public contracts.
- Applicants who have defaulted on financial aid obligations with the City of Québec in the past two years after formal notice.
- Companies with outstanding amounts owed to the City of Québec.
- Projects of a discriminatory nature, or those likely to create controversy or harm the image of the City of Québec.
Eligible expenses
- Professional fees, consulting services, and studies directly related to the project.
- Real estate improvements and fit-out works required for the project.
- Purchase of technological R&D equipment.
- General and administrative expenses necessary for project completion.
Eligible geographic areas
- Projects must be located in the Saint-Roch district, Québec City.
Eligibility criteria of the Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district program
- Quality and strength of the responsible business model.
- Financial capacity of the applicant to complete the project and achieve objectives.
- Viability and coherence of the submitted project, including relevance, realistic financial structure, and involved partners.
- Distinctive and innovative character of the project.
- Economic, social, and environmental impacts in the Québec area.
How to apply to the Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district program
1
Check eligibility criteria
- Review the eligibility conditions for applicants and projects
- Ensure your business activity fits within the eligible sectors
- Confirm your project is located in Saint-Roch district
2
Prepare application documents
- Download the funding application form (PDF: 200 KB)
- Gather all required documentation listed in the form
- Prepare details about your project and financing
3
Complete the application form
- Complete the funding application form thoroughly
- Ensure all information and documents are accurate and up to date
4
Submit your application
- Submit your completed application and required documents
- Follow the submission procedures specified in the form
5
Await decision
- Wait for the evaluation and results from Ville de Québec
- The eligibility of your project does not guarantee funding
Additional information
- The eligibility of a project does not guarantee financial support; funding decisions depend on fund availability and assessed financial need.
- The assistance provided may take the form of either a grant and/or a loan.
- If the business relocates or ceases activities, reimbursement clauses apply depending on the timing of these events.
- For detailed definitions of the analysis criteria and required documents, refer to the financing application form.
Contact Quebec City
degp@ville.quebec.qc.ca