ESSOR Government Grants For Québec
The ESSOR program helps Quebec companies fund the studies that precede a technology investment including digital diagnostics, digital plans, and system selection. 180 Systems acts as your independent advisor through the process.
What is the ESSOR program?
ESSOR is a Quebec Government program administered by Investissement Québec. It supports businesses through four streams (components) covering feasibility studies, productivity and expansion projects, environmental footprint reduction, and global supply chain integration.
For companies planning a technology investment, Component 1 is the most relevant stream. It funds the preliminary work that positions an investment correctly – feasibility studies, digital diagnostics, digital plans, implementation plans, and system selection.
Under sub-stream 1B, an eligible business can receive a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000, to carry out a digital diagnostic and select the right systems. Completing 1B is also what makes a business eligible for sub-stream 1C – a further contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000, toward the implementation project.
The Four ESSOR streams
- Component 1: Feasibility studies, digital diagnostics & system selection
- Component 2: Productivity projects and business expansion
- Component 3: Reducing your environmental footprint
- Component 4: Internationalization and global supply chains
ESSOR Component 1 funding breakdown
Component 1 is divided into three sub-streams. Each provides a non-repayable contribution covering up to 50% of eligible costs.
Sub-stream 1A
Feasibility
Studies
Up to 50% of eligible costs
$50,000
max / project
Analyse the technical or economic parameters of an implementation, modernization, or expansion project before you invest.
Sub-stream 1B
Digital Diagnostic &
System Selection
Up to 50% of eligible costs
$20,000
max / project
Analyse the technical or economic parameters of an implementation, modernization, or expansion project before you invest.
Sub-stream 1C
Digital Plan
Implementation
Up to 50% of eligible costs
$50,000
max / project
Implement a digital plan produced under sub-stream 1B. The plan must have been completed within the previous 24 months.
Eligible expenses include professional fees from external consulting firms, the purchase of specialized information, and travel costs in line with Québec government norms. Other conditions may apply.
Why apply
What ESSOR funding lets you do
The program is designed to reduce the risk and cost of preparing a technology investment.
Fund the groundwork
Cover up to half the cost of the diagnostic and selection work that should happen before any system is purchased.
Select the right system
Use independent analysis to choose technology that fits your processes not a vendor’s sales pitch.
Reduce investment risk
A structured digital plan and implementation roadmap lowers the chance of a failed or over-budget project.
Plan with evidence
Decisions are grounded in a business process review and measurable objectives, not generic checklists.
Build the case for 1C
A 1B digital plan makes you eligible for up to $50,000 more toward implementation under sub-stream 1C.
Non repayable
The contribution is a grant, not a loan. There is nothing to pay back.
Is your business eligible?
The criteria below apply to the digital diagnostic and system selection work under sub-streams 1B and 1C.
You may be eligible if
Sub-streams 1B & 1C
✔ You are a for-profit business or a social economy enterprise registered in Québec
✔ You carry out — or commit to carry out — activity in Québec within 12 months of project authorization
✔ You have 250 employees or fewer
✔ Your annual revenue is at least $2.5M
✔ For 1C: you hold a digital plan from sub-stream 1B completed within the last 24 months
✔ For digital projects (1B/1C), all sectors of activity are eligible
Generally not eligible
For feasibility studies under 1A, the following sectors are excluded
✘ Primary sector (agriculture, forestry, fishing), with limited exceptions
✘ Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction
✘ Real estate, rental and leasing services
✘ Public utilities and public administration
✘ Finance and insurance
✘ Health care, social assistance and educational services
How the process works
We guide you from pre-qualification through to the final disbursement.
01
Pre-
qualify
Complete the Investissement Québec pre-qualification form to confirm your business meets the program criteria.
02
Prepare &
apply
Register for portal access via ClicSÉQUR, gather the required documents, and submit your application.
03
Build
your plan
180 Systems runs the diagnostic, shortlists your system options, and delivers the roadmap.
04
Decision &
funding
Receive your decision and offer letter, complete the project, then submit your disbursement request.
What 180 Systems delivers
Your digital diagnostic and system selection engagement produces the digital plan required for an ESSOR application. It includes the following.
1. Current State Analysis
- Key business information
- Future business goals
- SWOT assessment
- Current IS/IT environment
2. Digital Recommendations
- Priority digital and technology solutions, with the business benefits of each, including AI where it applies
3. Implementation Roadmap
- Timelines
- Dependencies
- Costs
4. Capacity & System Selection
- Skill requirements
- Key solution characteristics
- Recommended systems
5. Return on Investment
- Expected costs, benefits, and payback period
6. Application-ready documentation
- Deliverables structured to the requirements in the ESSOR Component 1B presentation guide
180 Systems as your ESSOR advisor
180 Differentiators
1. Independence
We are independent ERP consultants and do not accept any compensation from vendors or implementers.
2. Requirements Analysis
Our analysis is mostly based on business process reviews rather than generic requirements checklists.
3. Strategic alignment
We identify requirements to attain critical success factors (CSFs) and use KPI’s to measure attainment of CSF’s as objectives for an ERP implementation.
4. Experience
We have extensive experience in ERP selection and ERP implementation across a wide variety of industries with many references for each industry.
5. Methodology
We have a documented best practice methodology with numerous proven templates to manage ERP selections and implementations.
6. Efficient
We don’t waste anyone’s time. For example, ERP vendors are asked to only respond to critical requirements in an RFP with the goal of 20% of requirements deemed critical.
7. Cost
Our fees are low because we have little overhead, and don’t exceed a maximum unless there is a change in scope and it has been approved.
8. Trusted Advisors
Our clients know that we will always act with integrity and honesty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESSOR program?
ESSOR is a Québec government program delivered by Investissement Québec for the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie. Component 1 helps Québec businesses fund studies, a digital diagnostic and system selection, and the implementation of a digital plan.
What are ESSOR sub-streams 1A, 1B and 1C?
Sub-stream 1A funds feasibility studies that analyze the technical or economic parameters of an implementation, modernization or expansion project before investing. Sub-stream 1B funds a digital diagnostic and system selection. Sub-stream 1C funds the implementation of the digital plan produced under 1B.
Who is eligible for ESSOR 1B and 1C?
The business must be a for-profit or social economy enterprise registered in Québec, carry out or commit to carry out activity in Québec within 12 months of project authorization, have 250 employees or fewer, and have annual revenue of at least $2.5 million. For 1C, the 1B digital plan must have been completed within the last 24 months. Eligibility rules, including which sectors are prioritized, change, so confirm them with Investissement Québec before applying.
What costs does ESSOR cover?
Eligible expenses include external consulting fees, purchases of specialized information, and travel costs under Québec government norms. Other conditions may apply. The share of costs covered and the maximum per project depend on the sub-stream, so check the current program guide.
How do you apply for ESSOR?
There are four steps. Complete the Investissement Québec pre-qualification form. Register for portal access through ClicSÉQUR, gather the documents and submit the application. Build the digital plan. Receive the decision and offer letter, complete the project and submit a disbursement request.
What does 180 Systems deliver for an ESSOR application?
180 Systems runs the diagnostic, shortlists system options and delivers the digital plan. The plan has a current state analysis, digital recommendations, an implementation roadmap, capacity and system selection, a return on investment calculation (costs, benefits and payback period) and application ready documentation.
Can the plan from 1B be used for 1C?
Yes. Sub-stream 1C funds implementation of the digital plan completed under 1B, as long as the plan is no more than 24 months old when the 1C application is made.