Boost your business internationally with the PSCE grant

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The PSCE (Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l'exportation) is a Quebec government initiative designed to help local companies expand into national and international markets. With a budget of $200 million over five years, the program is divided into three components: support for SMEs in the local market, assistance for exports outside Quebec, and support for large companies in their international projects, effectively managed by Investissement Quebec.

To be eligible, your company must be a for-profit, social economy or non-financial cooperative, with sales corresponding to one of the program's three components (<$100 million for the first, between $1 million and <$100 million for the second, and >$100 million for the third). It must operate in an eligible sector, carry out pre-production and post-production activities, and have its head office in Quebec, excluding certain sectors such as agriculture, finance and healthcare, among others.

Projects eligible for PSCE, depending on the component, include hiring market development specialists, developing communication and marketing strategies, and obtaining approvals or certifications for SMEs and large corporations. It also includes setting up offices abroad, studying international markets, and registering trademarks internationally.

All projects related to the commercialization of a new product or service or in a new market (not product development).

To participate in the PSCE, your company must first meet the eligibility criteria, namely be a for-profit, social economy or non-financial cooperative, and have sales corresponding to one of the program's three components. In addition, it must engage in pre-production and post-production activities, such as marketing and distribution, and be headquartered in Quebec, while not belonging to excluded sectors such as agriculture, finance or healthcare.

For the first component, a maximum non-repayable contribution of $250,000 per year is available, covering up to 50% of eligible expenses. For the second and third components, companies can receive up to $100,000 in non-repayable support, with a declining rate of assistance for successive projects.

The PSCE offers significant benefits, in particular by helping Quebec businesses to develop on both local and international markets, thereby strengthening their competitiveness. It offers substantial financial support and personalized coaching through its three components, aimed at increasing sales, creating jobs, and promoting Quebec on a global scale.

For the first part of the program, companies have access to a grant of up to $250,000 per year. This non-refundable contribution covers 50% of eligible costs, and requires a minimum expenditure of $25,000.

Under the second component of the PSCE, eligible companies can receive a grant of up to $100,000. This grant helps companies by financing 50% of their expenditure on projects aimed at strengthening their export capacity. The non-refundable contribution covers 50% for the first project, decreasing for subsequent projects.

For the third component of the program, companies can benefit from a grant of up to $100,000 for their first project, followed by a sliding scale of financing for subsequent projects.

We don't have an end date for the subsidy. 18 months ago, 1.9 billion dollars were sold in 3 months, so we estimate that by the end of February, the program should be finished.

No, it's one application at a time (it's also not possible to apply for both part 1 and part 2).