SME in Action Program
Up to 40% or $50K-250k Non-Refundable Funding.
The SME in Action program is a federal government funding program that helps SMEs carry out feasibility studies prior to the realization of investment projects in Québec. The program, administered by Investissement Quebec, has two streams; the Feasibility Studies stream and the Productivity Support stream. SME in Action will increase competitiveness and productivity, create new businesses, and stimulate more jobs and sustainable development.
SME in Action
Amount of Funding
Funding for the Feasibility Stream:
- 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.
Funding for the Productivity Stream:
- Eligible businesses could receive up to 40% of eligible project expenses to a maximum of $50,000 per project, non-refundable.
![Amount of Funding from the Canadian Government](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Amount-of-Funding.png)
SME in Action
Eligible Applicants
Eligible Applicants for the Feasibility Stream:
- 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 Applicants for the Productivity Stream:
- 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 Applicants for Canadian Government Funding](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eligible-Applicants.png)
SME in Action
Eligible Activities
Eligible Activities for the Feasibility Stream:
- 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.
Eligible Activities for the Productivity Stream:
- Must implement projects that adhere to the action plan agreed upon prior, between the organization and the Ministry.
- All projects must help grow Quebec’s economy by increasing productivity output, creating jobs, and improving Quebec’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 for Canadian Government Funding](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Eligible-Expenses.png)
SME in Action
Program Deadline
Program Deadline for the Feasibility Stream:
- 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.
Program Deadline for the Productivity Stream:
- Ongoing application intake will continue to accept applications until the funding pool is depleted.
![Program Deadline for Canadian Government Funding](https://www.mentorworks.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Program-Deadline.png)