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To be eligible, candidates must meet all the following conditions:

• Be at least 18 years of age when the file is opened.
• Be a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant and a permanent resident of Quebec.
• Demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge, skills and experience to successfully carry out their business project.
• Be committed to working full-time in the business (i.e., the promoter cannot hold another full-time job).
• Be the owner of at least 50% of the shares in the case of an incorporated business, or be an equal owner if the business is registered (only one application may be submitted per business project).

The preferred sectors for for-profit companies are as follows:

• Manufacturing and processing
• Retail and food service
• Professional services

Without being exclusive, the following sectors are not eligible under any circumstances:

• Businesses of a sexual, religious or political nature, or whose main or parallel activities are controversial.
• Companies involved in the production or distribution of weapons.
• Businesses acting as exclusive subcontractors for a single company, or not meeting the definition of self-employed worker set by the Ministère du Revenu du Québec.
• Businesses operating in a highly competitive field that would compete with businesses offering similar products or services in a market that would not be large enough to accommodate a new business.
• Any expenses incurred to relocate a business or part of its production outside the local municipality in which it is established, unless that municipality agrees.

• At the time of application, the company must have demonstrated its ability to generate revenues and sustained operations:
  • First sales must have been made less than 24 months ago.
  • The company must have identified a project to accelerate its start-up.
• The business project must be supported by a business plan or detailed growth plan.
• The promoter must present financial results since the start of operations.
• Financial forecasts and a budget for the 24 months following the acceleration project, including :
• The relevance, realism, viability and profitability of the project.
• The creation of at least two (2) permanent jobs (including the promoter) and/or the creation of part-time jobs, the combined hours of which are equivalent to one full-time job, within two (2) years of the submitted project.
• The ability to inject additional capital from the promoter, or the ability to reinject capital from the company to cover the balance of the project.
• The total financing required for the project must not exceed 50% in government assistance.

To qualify for the $5,000 grant, the promoter must submit eligible expenses of at least $10,000. Eligible expenses considered relevant are as follows:

• Expenditures that will enable the promoter to accelerate the start-up of the business, and that will not be used solely to cover current expenses.
• Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, leasehold improvements, equipment, machinery, rolling stock or any other similar expense.
• The acquisition of technology (know-how, license or manufacturing agreement, patent), software or software packages, or any other similar expenditure.
• Expenses relating to a market development or innovation project.

Limit on eligible expenses for professional and marketing services

• A combined maximum of 25% of eligible expenses (max $2,500) may be allocated to :
  • Professional fees for consultants or specialists incurred by the promoter, provided these costs are not covered by another government program.
  • Marketing or website creation expenses.

The following are considered ineligible expenses:

• Costs related to the operation of the business, such as working capital, salaries, rent and other expenses essential to the operation of the business.
• Debt servicing or future loan repayments.
• Financing a project already completed.
• Consulting fees and expenses for a company in which the promoter has an interest.

Financial assistance takes the form of a non-repayable contribution (grant) of $5,000. Disbursement will be made upon presentation of invoices and proof of payment of eligible expenses. The promoter will have 6 months following signature of the memorandum of understanding to submit proof of completion.

All authorized projects will be subject to a memorandum of understanding between Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges and the company. This agreement will define the conditions for payment of financial assistance and the obligations of the parties. In all cases, payment will be made once the promoters have demonstrated that they hold all the permits and authorizations required to operate the business. The same applies to financing.

The EAF accepts applications on an ongoing basis. To submit an application, the promoter must meet with a DEV advisor to complete the following steps:

• Verify their eligibility and that of their project. The promoter must not have already incurred expenses for which he is applying for a subsidy.
• Make sure to submit a minimum of $10,000 in eligible expenses based on the criteria identified.
• Draw up a two-year project plan and financial forecast.

To make an appointment with one of our advisors, please complete this online form.