This call for proposals, stemming from a collaboration between the gouvernement du Québec and Montréal, includes three steps: 

• Step 1: Eligible organizations are invited to propose an innovative event concept.
• Step 2: A maximum of three concepts are selected as finalists from the proposals. received. Each finalist organization receives a $10,000 grant to submit a detailed plan for their proposal.
• Step 3: The concept that best meets the objectives is selected. The sponsoring organization receives a major grant to carry out the event for three consecutive years.

The event is intended to encourage the creation, start-up and growth of young businesses (0-5 years old), both in Montréal and across the province. 

In particular, it must: 

• condense a high-calibre program of activities into a short time period 
• attract several thousand people, including key economic players and the media
• provide an engaging, rewarding and affordable experience
• contribute to the renown of Québec and the metropolis

Themes

Prominence must be given to:

• impact entrepreneurship: a business model that focuses on solving societal and environmental problems
• innovation: bringing to market new or significantly improved (in comparison to existing) services, products or processes

Objectives 

• facilitate networking and business development among young companies and the Montréal business community (clients, partners, funding sources, etc.)
• offer visibility opportunities in different forms to young companies (panels, presentations, experimentation spaces, showcases, etc.)
• develop key entrepreneurial skills among business owners (workshops, master classes, mentoring, etc.)
• publicize various resources dedicated to the creation, start-up and growth of young businesses (municipalities, ministries, key entrepreneurship organizations, etc.)

Target audience 

• young companies (0-2 years old) developing a product or service, looking for financing and market validation
• young growing companies (3-5 years old) looking for new business connections to commercialize their services or products, establish partnerships, or seek new financing
• people who already have a project and are ready to start a business 

The event can also be used to reach students or people interested in investing in entrepreneurship.

To submit a proposal, you must meet the following criteria.

Eligible organizations

• must be a non-profit organization incorporated in Québec. A group of organizations can submit a joint proposal, with the goal of building on each other’s networks and strengths. In this case, only one organization among the group is responsible for filing the application
• must have a mission that includes event planning or assistance to entrepreneurship
• must demonstrate sound financial and governance practices
• must own or be prepared to own the legal name and branding of the future event

Eligible projects

Proposals submitted must:

• meet the criteria for a major event, both in terms of attendance and scope of activities proposed
• respond to the four objectives of this call
• propose at minimum three annual editions in 2024, 2025 and 2026
• take place within the Montréal urban agglomeration
• target a clientele both in Greater Montréal and across the entire province of Québec
• be coordinated by the requesting organization, which carries out the various stages of planning, consultation, representation, management of external teams and accountability

Finalist concepts 

Each finalist NPO (maximum three) will receive $10,000 in funding to develop a detailed project plan. This grant will be used to develop the business plan, preliminary programming and communication plan.

Eligible expenses

• salaries
• professional fees required for planning the project
• expenses related to soliciting partners
• graphic design costs for planning documents

Chosen concept

The successful NPO will receive funding of $500,000 to $1 million per year, over a three-year period, to carry out the event. The amount of the grant will be determined based on the nature of the event and current government standards.

Unveiling of finalist concepts: May 2023

Unveiling of the chosen concept: fall 2023

You have until April 21, 2023 inclusive to submit your event proposal.

Steps

1. Consult the project submission guide (in French) for full details

2. Gather the following documents in digital form:

• the organization’s letters patent or general by-laws
• a list of members of the organization’s Board of Directors and their functions, and a list of individuals assigned to the project and their roles: please use the city’s template (in French)
• curriculum vitae of the project team
• board resolution authorizing the organization’s representative to submit the application
• the organization’s financial statements for the past two years
• summary of the organization’s achievements
• letters of support showing that the organization has community support for holding the event
• a document presenting an overview of the project including the following elements:
  • an analysis demonstrating the organization’s understanding of the challenges of creating, starting and growing young businesses
  • concept of the event, including a preliminary proposal of the planned activities 
  • governance and project management
  • location, date and anticipated traffic 
  • project budget: please use the city’s template (in French)
  • a three- to four-minute video presenting the concept of the event: please provide the download link

3. Complete the Project submission form and attach the required documents

To learn more, register for one of our two information sessions.

Any questions? Fill out this form (in French).