CED Business Scale-up and Productivity (REGI for SMEs)
CED Quebec can cover up to 50% of your project costs with an interest-free repayable contribution. You must repay it, 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 any money
You need written approval from CED before you spend any money. 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.
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. The official page does not list a maximum dollar amount. Ask CED before you apply.
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. You will likely discuss it with a CED officer before approval. CED decides each project case by case.
- 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.
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).
What to know before you count on it
- This is a repayable contribution, not a grant: you must repay the full amount over time, but there is no interest.
- Repayment begins two years after the project ends. Ask CED for the exact schedule and length of repayment before you apply.
- 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?
CED looks at the strength of your business plan and how well the project fits its regional goals, so document your project well.
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 official page does not say when or how CED pays. Programs like this usually pay you back after you have paid the costs and CED has approved them. Ask CED before you apply.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Manufacturing
Grants and loans that may help pay for automation and productivity tools.
Funding for Automation
Loans and grants to help you automate business workflows and tasks.
Funding for Online Ordering and Booking
Grants and loans may help pay for online ordering, booking and reservation systems.
What you can combine it with
Check if other federal or provincial programs can cover the remaining 50% of costs. You cannot claim the same eligible expenses twice.
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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.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.