Business scale-up and productivity

Funding description

This funding, which aims to foster innovation and business growth, can be awarded at any stage of a business’s development. Projects submitted by SMEs or NPOs are funded for fostering expansion, productivity and growth through innovation. This funding is provided under the REGI program.

Main sectors that are eligible:

• Manufacturing
• Food processing
• Information, communications and multimedia technologies
• Life sciences

Other sectors may also be eligible.

Examples of funded projects 

• Acquisition of digital production equipment or machinery and infrastructure
  • Assessment, adaptation or adoption of new technologies or new production processes
  • Activities aimed at boosting productivity and production or innovation capacity
• Commercialization and market development
  • Implementation of commercialization strategies:
    • Participation in trade fairs
    • Prospecting visits 
    • Hiring of marketing staff
    • Ad campaigns
  • Market diagnostics and studies
  • Technology showcasing and demonstration
• Business management
  • Hiring of resources to set up top-performing teams
  • Adoption of best management practices, processes and systems (e.g., Enterprise Resource Planning)

Other activities may also be eligible. Contact us to discuss your project.
 

Financial assistance

For SMEs

• Financial assistance generally of up to 50% of authorized costs. 
• This funding is repayable, without interest. Repayment begins two years after the end of the project.

For NPOs

• Non-repayable financial assistance generally of up to 90% of authorized costs (up to 50% of authorized costs in the case of capital projects).

 * Are you an SME or NPO in Montréal’s East End? Your project may be eligible for flexibility under the parameters of the Initiative to Support Economic Development in Montréal’s East End.

Eligible costs

All costs directly related to the project that are deemed reasonable by CED and essential to the implementation of the project. Restrictions may apply in certain cases. 

Ineligible costs

All non-essential costs not directly related to the project, as well as:

• the refinancing of an existing debt
• the purchase of an asset at a price that exceeds its fair market value
• amortization expenses
• goodwill costs
• land purchases

Eligibility

Examples of eligible clients

• SMEs
• Co-ops
• Business associations
• Non-profit organizations (NPOs) 
• Business support organizations 
• Indigenous organizations

* Are you an SME or NPO in an economically vulnerable RCM or in Montréal’s East End? Your project may be eligible for flexible program conditions.

Examples of ineligible clients

• Retail businesses (e.g., clothing stores, grocery stores or automobile sales and maintenance outlets)
• Food services (e.g., restaurants and cafés)
• Transportation services
• Housing construction
• Daycare services
• Hair and beauty salons
• Nightclubs, bars and cabarets

Are you ineligible? Check out our network of partners who may be able to help you.
 

Analysis criteria 

Projects are analyzed against specific criteria, namely: 

• the expected results of your project
• the viability of your business or organization
• your technical and financial management capacity
• the contribution of partners in terms of financial resources or professional services
• the degree of risk

Submitting a project

Looking to submit a project? Here are the steps to follow:

• Refer to the Project Submission Guide. 
• For more information, contact us.