Productivity - Small commercial companies
Last Update: March 26, 2025
QC, Canada
Funding support for Canadian business innovation and growth
Productivity - Small commercial companies at a glance
Eligible Funding
- From $15,000 to $25,000
- Up to 35% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : November 23, 2023
- Closing date : May 31, 2024
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Grant Providers
- Quebec City
Status
Open
Overview of the Productivity - Small commercial companies program
The grant provides a maximum funding amount of $100,000 to support projects aimed at fostering innovation and business development. Eligible activities include research and development, technology adoption, and market expansion initiatives.
Eligible projects & activities
This grant is designed to enhance productivity among small commercial companies by supporting key business improvement activities. Applicants can fund initiatives that drive efficiency, innovation, and growth in their operations.
- Investment in technology upgrades and digital transformation projects.
- Implementation of process improvements to streamline operations.
- Development and launch of new products or services to capture market opportunities.
- Training programs aimed at upskilling employees and enhancing workforce capabilities.
- Marketing and export readiness activities to expand into new markets.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 25,000
Purchase mobile payment terminals to facilitate quick transactions in a Vancouver food truck
$ 25,000
Purchase automated ordering kiosks to streamline customer flow in a busy downtown restaurant
$ 25,000
Implement a CRM system to enhance customer relationship management for a tourism company
$ 25,000
Upgrade kitchen equipment to improve efficiency in a popular Calgary bakery
$ 25,000
Install automated checkout systems in a busy Toronto retail store to improve customer flow
$ 17,500
Acquire advanced digital marketing tools to enhance online visibility for a tourism company
Eligibility criteria of the Productivity - Small commercial companies program
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the company's profile and capabilities.
- The company must be based in Canada.
- It must be a for-profit entity registered with the Canadian government.
- The company should have been in operation for at least two years.
- The annual revenue should not exceed CAD 10 million.
- The business must demonstrate innovation in products or services.
Who is eligible?
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for this grant. The grant is designed to support specific businesses in the retail, restaurant, and tourism service sectors to overcome workforce challenges through the acquisition of productivity-enhancing equipment or technologies.
- Private incorporated companies
- Social economy enterprises (non-profits and cooperatives) with predominantly commercial activities
- Franchises with five (5) establishments or less having their head office in Quebec
- Companies with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
Who is not eligible
Yes, there are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant.
- Vehicle dealerships
- Auto parts retailers
- Gas stations
- Collaborative tourist accommodations (e.g., Airbnb, Home Away)
- Purely online businesses
- Social economy enterprises (NPOs and co-ops) that do not demonstrate sound democratic governance
- Applicants not cleared from a bankruptcy judgment
- Companies listed on the Register of companies ineligible for public contracts
- Applicants who failed to meet obligations from a previous grant from the City of Quebec within the last two years
- Applicants with outstanding debts to the City of Quebec
- Projects with discriminatory nature, controversy, or negative image risk for the City of Quebec
- One-time event-based projects
Eligible expenses
The eligible projects for this grant focus on stimulating economic growth and enhancing technological advancement in strategic sectors. These activities aim to support research, development, and the deployment of innovative solutions across industries.
- Research and development in advanced manufacturing technologies.
- Implementation of digital transformation initiatives in traditional industries.
- Commercialization of cutting-edge biomedical research projects.
- Deployment of clean technology innovations in the energy sector.
- Capacity building and skills development for workforce readiness in emerging tech fields.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to small commercial companies located in specific geographical areas as determined by the funding body. The eligibility is focused on aligning with regional productivity enhancement goals.
- Companies must be located within Canadian provinces or territories.
Eligibility criteria of the Productivity - Small commercial companies program
The grant for small commercial businesses includes specific evaluation and selection criteria to determine the eligibility and feasibility of the proposed projects. These criteria focus on the demonstration of productivity improvement, response to labor challenges, financial capacity, and overall project viability.
- Demonstration of the increase in productivity and addressing of labor issues
- Financial capacity of the applicant to complete the project and achieve objectives
- Viability and coherence of the submitted project (including the relevance of the project, realism of the financial plan, and involved partners)
- Demonstration of problems resolved by the project
How to apply to the Productivity - Small commercial companies program
1
Check eligibility
- Confirm that your business entity meets the eligibility criteria (for example, established private company, social economy enterprise, franchise with five or fewer establishments, 50 employees or fewer).
- Verify that your business operates in the specified sectors (retail, restaurant, tourism services) and is located in the specified areas (Quebec City metropolitan area or Wendake).
2
Define the scope of the project
- Identify the equipment, technology, or services needed to address workforce recruitment issues and improve productivity.
- Ensure that the project meets the minimum expenditure threshold of $15,000 and aligns with the grant objectives.
3
Collect the required documentation
- Prepare the necessary financial documents and project details demonstrating financial capacity and project viability.
- Gather professional estimates or quotes for the equipment, technology, or services you wish to acquire.
4
Complete the application form
- Download the application form (PDF: 140 KB) from the specified link.
- Fill out the form with accurate and complete information regarding your business, the scope of the project, financial aspects, and expected outcomes.
5
Submit the request
- Compile the completed application form and all supporting documents.
- Submit the application before the deadline, ensuring that all documents comply with the requirements specified in the form.
6
Wait for the assessment and the decision
- The municipal authorities will review the submitted request to assess its eligibility, financial feasibility, and projected impact on productivity and labor issues.
- Wait for a response from the authorities regarding the status of your application.
7
Follow-up
- If approved, comply with monitoring requirements, including any potential on-site visits by the city to verify the effectiveness of the acquired equipment or technology.
- Ensure that you continue to meet ongoing conditions, such as maintaining business operations in the specified area.
Additional information
This grant aims to assist retail businesses, restaurants, and tourist service providers in overcoming labor recruitment challenges by funding the acquisition of equipment or technologies to improve productivity.
- Eligibility is limited to private incorporated businesses, social economy enterprises, and franchises with a maximum of five establishments.
- The maximum financial contribution is $25,000 per project, covering up to 35% of eligible expenses.
- The equipment or technology acquired must address productivity and labor issues, with the city reserving the right to inspect for efficiency within 12 months post-grant.