CED — Business Scale-up and Productivity — REGI for SMEs
Get up to 50% of your project costs covered with an interest-free repayable contribution from CED Quebec. This funding helps you scale and innovate, but remember it is a loan you must repay, and retail or food service businesses are not eligible.
“Financial assistance generally of up to 50% of authorized costs.”
From the official program page
Before you spend a dollar
Written approval from CED is mandatory before you spend a single dollar; do not start work or buy equipment until the project is approved.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You run a manufacturing, tech, life sciences, or food processing SME in Quebec.
- You need capital for digital tools, new production methods, or commercialization efforts like trade shows.
- You can get written approval before spending and have the cash flow to pay upfront since reimbursement comes later.
Probably not the right fit if
- You operate a restaurant, retail store, salon, bar, or daycare as these sectors are explicitly excluded.
- You are looking for a grant because this is a repayable contribution that you must pay back over time.
- You want to buy land, buildings, or vehicles since these costs are not eligible for funding.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to 50% of authorized project costs for SMEs; there is no stated maximum dollar cap in the published program details, so confirm the specific limit for your project size on the official page.
What may be supported
- Acquisition of digital production machinery.
- Adoption of new production processes or technologies.
- Commercialization activities such as trade fairs and market studies.
- Hiring marketing staff or adopting ERP systems for management improvement.
What's excluded or restricted
- Non-essential costs not directly related to the project
- Refinancing of an existing debt
- Purchase of an asset at a price exceeding its fair market value
- Amortization expenses
- Goodwill costs
- Land purchases
- Ineligible clients: retail businesses, food services, transportation services, housing construction, daycare services, hair and beauty salons, nightclubs/bars/cabarets
How applying works
Effort: involvedYou must submit a detailed project proposal and likely discuss it with a CED officer before approval; this is discretionary and relationship-based.
- 01Read the CED program guidelines and Project Submission Guide carefully to ensure your project fits the eligible sectors and costs.
- 02Contact CED to discuss your project idea and confirm eligibility before investing time in a full proposal.
- 03Prepare a detailed project proposal outlining the innovation, productivity gains, and eligible costs.
- 04Submit the project proposal to CED for review.
- 05Wait for written approval before incurring any costs or starting work.
- 06Execute the project and retain all documentation for reimbursement and repayment tracking.
Who to ask: Use CED's ‘Contact us’ page (no specific phone or email is published).
Before you apply
Your lender will want to see what the money buys
A written quote for the project makes your application concrete and shows the lender exactly where the money goes. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Detailed project proposal including budget and timeline.
- Proof of business registration and location in Quebec.
- Financial statements or business plan demonstrating viability.
- Quotes or contracts for eligible equipment or services (to be confirmed with CED).
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN implements your funded ERP and digital systems to streamline operations and boost productivity.
- BBN runs your targeted digital marketing and ad campaigns, turning the funded marketing budget into new customers.
- BBN coordinates the acquisition of your digital production machinery and new technologies, managing the trades and project scope for you.
- Avoid losing funding to missed deadlines or wrong steps as BBN guides you through the process.
What to know before you count on it
- It is a loan, not a grant: you must repay the full amount over time, though it is interest-free.
- Repayment terms are specific: repayment begins two years after the end of the project, but confirm the exact schedule and duration on the official page.
- Strict eligibility: if you are in retail, food service, or personal care (salons), you are disqualified regardless of project merit.
- Excluded costs are broad: land, buildings, vehicles, goodwill, amortization, and non-essential overhead are not funded.
What are your odds?
Approval is discretionary and depends on the strength of your business plan and alignment with CED's regional goals; a well-documented case is essential.
Frequently asked questions
Is this money free?
No. For SMEs, it is a repayable contribution. You pay it back without interest, starting two years after the project ends. It is not taxable income because you repay it.
Can a restaurant or salon apply?
No. This program excludes retail businesses, food services, and hair and beauty salons.
What costs are covered?
Digital production equipment, new technologies, productivity activities, commercialization (trade fairs, marketing staff), and management improvements like ERP systems. Land, buildings, and vehicles are excluded.
When do I get paid?
The payment mechanics are not published. Typically, these programs reimburse after costs are incurred and approved, but you must confirm the exact timing and process on the official CED page.
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What you can combine it with
Check if other federal or provincial grants can cover the remaining 50% of costs, but ensure no double-dipping on the same eligible expenses.
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Record last updated ; last verified last week with the official source. Source: official program page.