The Québec government has issued new funding opportunities to support local business development through an initiative called “PME en Action” or “SME in Action.” Administered by Investissement Quebec, the program has two streams: the Feasibility Studies Stream and the Productivity Support Stream.
“Support for these companies [SMEs] through specialized resources, such as accelerators, incubators and other recognized entities, helps stimulate their growth by giving access to tailor-made services and to various complementary expertise Program investments.”
-Investissement Quebec
The SME in Action Program helps for-profit businesses carry out feasibility studies prior to the realization of investment projects, as well as increase productivity output in Québec. The program will increase competitiveness and productivity, create new businesses, and stimulate more jobs and sustainable development.
Funding Snapshot: Feasibility Studies Stream
Funding Amount:
- Eligible businesses could receive up to 40% of eligible costs to a maximum of $100,000 per project, non-refundable.
- Equipment manufacturers & processors may receive up to a maximum of $250,000 in the construction sector.
- Third-party information, services, and fees may also be covered.
Eligible Applicants:
- Applicants must be SME businesses, including for-profit enterprises, cooperatives, and social economy enterprises.
- Eligible industries include manufacturing, IT, environmental services, and value-added distribution services.
Eligible Activities:
- Carrying out feasibility studies to analyze technical or economic parameters of business establishment, foster modernization or expansion projects, and decision-making for short-term Québec investments.
- Types of studies eligible for funding include analyzes of market, process or technology, site selection, and regulatory and legal framework.
Deadline to Apply:
- Ongoing application intake will continue to accept applications until the funding pool is depleted.
- Project implementation period may not exceed a maximum and continuous period of twelve months.
To see the full range of offerings from this stream, please refer to the SME in Action Program page.
Funding Snapshot: Productivity Support Stream
Funding Amount:
- Eligible businesses could receive up to 40% of eligible project expenses to a maximum of $50,000 per project, non-refundable.
Eligible Applicants:
- This stream supports for-profit enterprises that currently have an establishment in Quebec. This includes cooperatives, as well as social economy enterprises that fall under the following sectors:
- Manufacturing;
- Engine service sector; preferably those that participate in the production of goods or use new technologies such as:
- Information and communications technologies.
- Environmental services.
- Creation and industrial design services.
- Industrial laboratories and scientific services.
- Private research services.
- Value-added distribution centers.
*Excluded are all other sectors of activity and businesses majority owned by a Crown corporation.
Eligible Projects:
- Must implement projects that adhere to the action plan agreed upon prior, between the organization and the Ministry.
- All projects must help grow Québec’s economy by increasing productivity output, creating jobs, and improving Québec’s competitiveness on the following areas:
- Supply chain optimization.
- Implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) or customer relationship management (CRM) system.
- Enhancement of standard compliance to achieve world-class production standards.
- Implementation of a costing system.
Eligible Expenses:
- Include service fees from third-party organizations, as well as purchasing costs for specialized project information.
Deadline to Apply:
- Ongoing application intake will continue to accept applications until the funding pool is depleted.
Read more to gain a full-scope view of this Productivity Support Stream.
Apply for the SME in Action Program
If your organization is interested in expanding to Québec or is currently operating within the province and eager to increase productivity, there may be funding for you. Funding for this program is comprehensive and may be fully dedicated quickly, so make sure your business applies in a timely manner.
To read more about manufacturing financial support from the Canadian government, reach out to a Mentor Works representative today. To apply for the program, visit the government funding directory for Manufacturing.