Virage techno - shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown
Last Update: June 11, 2025
Laval, QC
Help businesses in downtown Laval to develop their competitiveness through innovative projects
Virage techno - shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown at a glance
Eligible Funding
- Max. $37,500
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Continuous Intakes
Financing Type
Grant and Funding
Eligible Industries
- Wholesale trade
- Retail trade
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Grant Providers
- Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
- Laval Economique
Status
Open
Overview of the Virage techno - shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown program
The Virage techno grant offers up to $37,500 to support downtown Laval shops, restaurants, and accommodation businesses in their digital transformation efforts. Eligible activities include the acquisition of technological equipment and related services to enhance digital presence and competitiveness.
Financing terms and conditions
- Financial assistance covers up to 50% of eligible equipment acquisition costs, to a maximum of $30,000 per company.
- Additional funding for related acquisition costs (such as implementation) up to 15% of the equipment acquisition cost.
- Bonus support for projects leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), up to 25% of equipment acquisition costs, with a maximum of $7,500 per company.
Eligible projects & activities
- Adoption of automation and robotics for business operations.
- Integration of virtual and augmented reality technologies.
- Implementation of artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
- Deployment of digital inventory management and security systems.
- Acquisition of specialized business software to enhance digital transformation.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 18,750
Develop an AI-driven CRM system for a local hotel
$ 18,750
Implement a virtual reality experience upgrade at a local museum
$ 18,750
Install automated checkout systems in a local grocery store
$ 11,250
Implement NFC payment solutions at a café
$ 12,500
Upgrade the digital signage system at a local restaurant
$ 18,750
Deploy IoT-based inventory control for a retail store
Eligibility criteria of the Virage techno - shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown program
- The applicant must operate in the retail, restaurant, or accommodation sector.
- The business must have been conducting commercial activities for at least two years.
- The establishment must be located within the downtown area of Laval.
- The project must include a documented diagnostic and action plan resulting from strategic planning.
- The digital transformation project must not confirm expenditures or contractual commitments before submitting the funding application and receiving acknowledgment from the program administrator.
Who is eligible?
- Retail businesses located in downtown Laval
- Restaurants situated in downtown Laval
- Accommodation businesses operating in downtown Laval
Who is not eligible
- Companies not operating in the retail, restaurant, or accommodation sectors classified under the specified NAICS codes (41, 44, 45, 53, 54, 561, 721, 811, 812, 814, 7225).
- Businesses located outside the downtown area of Laval.
Eligible expenses
- Acquisition costs of eligible equipment and accessory components (excluding material, inventories, and other supplies).
- Direct costs related to the installation of equipment (including transportation and leasehold improvements).
- Costs for acquisition and implementation of software.
- Professional fees directly related to the project.
- Direct labour costs assigned to the project, limited to the hourly rate.
Eligible geographic areas
- Businesses located within the downtown perimeter of Laval, Quebec.
Eligibility criteria of the Virage techno - shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown program
- Assessment of the complete file and validation of the information provided.
- Selection of projects according to the terms and conditions set out in the program by an evaluation committee.
How to apply to the Virage techno - shops, restaurants and accommodation downtown program
1
Diagnosis and Planning
- Conduct a detailed assessment of your company aligned with the program's objectives.
- Develop a documented strategic action plan for the digital transformation.
2
Preparation of the documentation
- Complete the grant application form accurately.
- Collect the financial statements from the last two years.
- Finalize the diagnosis and the implementation plan to attach to the application.
3
Submission of the application
- Gather all the required documents.
- Submit the complete file to Laval économique.
4
Receipt Confirmation
Waiting for the acknowledgment of receipt from Laval Économique confirming the submission of the file.
5
Evaluation by the committee
The file will be evaluated by the selection committee to choose the beneficiaries.
Additional information
- The program is delivered through a personalized support pathway, working in collaboration with various public and private stakeholders in Laval's economic ecosystem.
- Applications are reviewed and approved by a dedicated committee once all required documents are validated.
- The initiative aims to help businesses compete with large online commerce entities by supporting advanced digital transformation.
- The program specifically excludes support for website creation projects.
Contact Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)
y.cupidon@laval.ca
4388375623