Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI)
Fuel your Quebec business growth with government-backed financing up to $150,000 per project. This is a repayable loan or guarantee covering up to 50% of eligible costs for for-profits, available through continuous intake until December 31, 2028. Verified against the official source on July 2, 2026.
How we verify funding records →
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come before spending; expenses incurred before application submission are ineligible.
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 for-profit SME in Quebec with fewer than 250 employees.
- You have a clear plan for startup, growth, transformation, or succession that needs capital investment.
- You can show profitability for growth projects or are in the commercialization phase for startups.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are looking for a grant because this is financing you must repay with interest.
- You are not legally registered or immatriculated in Quebec.
- You are currently in bankruptcy, insolvency, or listed on the Register of businesses ineligible for public contracts (RENA).
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $150,000 per project over 12 months, covering up to 50% of eligible costs for for-profits.
What may be supported
- Startup: Working capital and capital expenses for establishing the business.
- Improvement/Transformation: Capital expenses for productivity, digital transformation, or sustainable practices.
- Growth/Expansion: Capital expenses for expansion and additional working capital.
- Succession: Costs of acquiring ownership titles and assets, plus transaction fees.
What's excluded or restricted
- Expenses incurred before the application is submitted.
- Debt service, repayment of future loans, capital loss, capital replacement, or payments made as capital.
- Transactions between related companies or partners.
- Research and development expenses (except for licensed cannabis/hemp R&D).
- Normal operating expenses of the business.
- Quebec sales taxes.
- Pre-startup activities.
- Turnaround/restructuring of businesses in difficulty.
- Acquisition of a company not part of a succession/relève entrepreneuriale strategy.
- Controversial weapons production/distribution.
- Fossil fuel exploration, extraction, drilling, production, or refining (except for low-carbon transition activities).
- Gambling/casinos/bingo halls.
- Violent games, combat sports involving living species, or similar activities.
- Sexual exploitation (erotic bars, escort agencies, erotic massage, swinger clubs, pornographic material production).
- Production, sale, or services related to tobacco or drugs (except specific licensed cannabis/hemp activities).
- Recreational cannabis products.
- Non-health-Canada-approved medical cannabis products.
- Additional cannabis products (food ingredients, processed foods, topical products, concentrates, tinctures, capsules).
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must contact your local MRC, prepare a detailed project file, and meet specific profitability or commercialization criteria.
- 01Contact your local Municipalité Régionale de Comté (MRC) or designated local economic development organization.
- 02Review the specific investment policy and procedures of your MRC.
- 03Prepare your application file, including proof of legal status, profitability (if required), and project details.
- 04Submit the application to the MRC for analysis and selection.
- 05Wait for approval before incurring any eligible expenses.
Who to ask: https://www.quebec.ca/nous-joindre/renseignements-generaux
Documents commonly required
- Proof of legal registration/immatriculation in Quebec.
- Financial statements demonstrating profitability (if required for your project type).
- Detailed project plan and budget.
- Proof of compliance with Francization requirements (if applicable).
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your business website and online store, giving you a professional digital storefront that captures customers 24/7.
- BBN sets up Local SEO and Google Business Profile, designed to make your shop easier to find on Maps and bring more foot traffic to your door.
- BBN launches a review system using QR codes, turning happy customers into five-star reviews that build trust and attract new buyers.
- BBN designs modern signage and vehicle wraps, coordinating with qualified partners to upgrade your physical presence without you handling the trades.
- BBN guides you through the FLI application and deadlines so you don't lose the funding.
What to know before you count on it
- This is a loan or participatory loan, not a grant; you must repay the principal plus interest.
- Total government aid cannot exceed 70% of total project cost (85% for social economy enterprises), meaning you need other funding or equity for the rest.
- Eligibility depends on your local MRC's specific investment policy and your business's profitability history.
- You must comply with the Francization process if you employ 25+ people in Quebec for 6+ months.
What are your odds?
Approval depends on your business plan's viability, creditworthiness, and alignment with your local MRC's investment policy, not a lottery.
Frequently asked questions
Is this money taxable?
No, the loan principal is not taxable income. However, interest payments may be tax-deductible; confirm with your accountant.
Can I use this for working capital?
Yes, for startup projects (up to 2 years) and improvement/growth projects, additional working capital is an eligible expense.
What if I am a non-profit?
Non-profits can receive up to 80% of eligible costs, but you must be a collective enterprise with >50% revenue from autonomous economic activities.
Do I need to be profitable to apply?
It depends on the project type: startups must be in commercialization phase and not profitable for >1 year; improvement projects must be profitable for >1 year; growth projects must be profitable for >2 years.
What you can combine it with
Total government aid cannot exceed 70% of total project cost (85% for social economy enterprises), so you can stack with other sources but must cover the remainder.
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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 June 20, 2026; last verified July 2, 2026 against the official source. Source: official program page.