Description

The BSP Program supports innovative projects by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) at any stage of business development in Québec, intended to foster business growth, expansion, productivity and innovation. Main eligible sectors include manufacturing; food-processing; information, communications and multimedia technologies; life sciences. Other sectors may also be eligible.

Funding Information

• For SMEs: financial assistance generally up to 50% of authorized costs; funding is repayable without interest, with repayment beginning two years after end of project.
• For NPOs: non-repayable assistance generally up to 90% of authorized costs (but up to 50% of authorized costs in the case of capital projects).

Project Eligibility

• Eligible project activities include: acquisition of digital production equipment or machinery and infrastructure; assessment/adaptation/adoption of new technologies or processes; boosting productivity/innovation capacity; commercialization & market development (trade fairs, prospecting visits, hiring marketing staff, ad campaigns, market diagnostics/studies); business management improvements (hiring staff, adopting best management practices/systems such as ERP).
• Eligible costs: All costs directly related to the project, deemed reasonable by CED and essential to implementation. Non-eligible costs include refinancing existing debt; purchase of asset above fair market value; amortization; goodwill; land purchases.

Applicant Eligibility

• Eligible lead applicants:
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) incorporated in Québec.
  • Not-for-profit organisations (NPOs) including co-ops, business support organisations, Indigenous organisations.
• Eligible countries: The program is domestic to Canada (Québec region). Applicants must be located/operating in Québec.

Submission Conditions

• Projects must demonstrate the expected results, viability of the business/organisation, technical and financial management capacity, contribution of partners in financial resources/professional services, and the degree of risk.