Access to Outside Experts (Feasibility Study, Action Plan)

For-profit companies, cooperatives and social economy enterprises with activities similar to those of private for-profit companies in the following sectors:

• Manufacturing;
• Software publishing;
• Private research centres;
• Environmental services;
• Tourism (subject to certain restrictions).

Eligible Projects

Feasibility studies conducted to analyze or evaluate the technical or financial aspects of a business relocation or expansion project in order to assist with the decision to invest in Québec in the short term.

The studies related to the investments in question may include:

• Market studies;
• Evaluations of processes, technologies and the acquisition of intellectual property;
• Site selection studies and regulatory and legal framework analyses.

• Financial assistance takes the form of a non-refundable contribution covering up to 40% of eligible expenses. The assistance amount can reach a maximum of $100,000 per project.
• Eligible expenses include professional fees and costs incurred to obtain specialized information.

Legally incorporated companies except for: 

• Personal service companies;
• Wholesalers (with the exception of value-added distribution centres) and retailers;
• Food and lodging businesses.

Eligible Projects

Activities and projects facilitating expansion outside Québec are eligible and may include the following: 

• Research on markets outside Québec;
• Business and marketing plans for regions outside Québec (development and implementation);
• Measures bolstering international marketing and the use of e-business for export purposes;
• Prospecting missions;
• Trade fairs (visitors or exhibitors);
• Initiatives ensuring adherence to border control measures;
• Negotiation of alliances and partnerships with foreign partners;
• Use of an incubator service for global markets;
• Measures taken with a view to setting up a subsidiary or joint venture or to acquiring a company based outside Québec, provided the investment would have economic benefits for Québec;
• Hiring of an international business expert;
• Greeting of foreign buyers or partners;
• Preparation of a proposal in response to an RFP with a view to securing a major foreign contract.

• Financial assistance is provided in the form of a grant.
• The grant can cover up to 40% of eligible expenses, with a maximum amount of $100,000 per project.
• In the case of a project for which an international business expert is hired, the maximum amount can reach $20,000.