Long-term growth of SMEs, the driving force of our future
"
Having companies that stay in Québec is good for the economy, we create job, Novatech exports a lot."
— Harold, Novatech, a partner company
Why it's important to us
A more prosperous, just and sustainable Québec starts with long-term growth for our SMEs.
A dynamic economy, regional vitality and job security depend on it. This ever-present challenge has been central to the Fond’s mission since its very beginning. And with your savings choices and entrepreneurial success we can achieve it.
There are over 220,000 private companies in Québec — almost all of them SMEs — that drive our economy, and we’ve built a number of flagship companies that we can be proud of. At the Fonds, we want to help today’s businesses grow and thrive in a world of ever-increasing challenges. As our population ages, the long-term prosperity of businesses that form the backbone of our regions becomes even more important. That’s why we need to move from an economy based on business creation to one based on the continuity of existing businesses.
Statistics show that we need to stimulate the growth of our SMEs and encourage business succession.
Our approach
We’re committed to doing everything we can to keep local businesses in Québec. To do this, we’re taking concrete steps to promote the long-term growth of SMEs in every region of the province. We’re supporting, financing and preparing them to meet the socio-economic challenges of an ever-changing world so they can continue to build the Québec of today and tomorrow. A more prosperous, just and sustainable Québec for all.
Here’s what we’ve done this year:
Supporting sustainable local business growth
We don't just believe in building a stronger Québec, we believe in building it with you. With the savings of our workers and the ambition of our local entrepreneurs, we can strengthen our economy. That's why the Fonds invests in local businesses. And that's why we've become Québec's largest development capital investment network.
Our teams work with companies of all sizes to support their long-term growth, no matter their challenges. With our extensive network, we can invest in both start-up and expansion projects. Our goal is always to find solutions that benefit both businesses and Québec as a whole.
Discover the impact we've made this year.
Supporting the expansion of innovative businesses
$1.9B
of annual investments by the Fonds and its network[4]
Services
When you partner with the Fonds, you benefit from our multidisciplinary expertise and long-term support. And you gain an ally who believes in you and your project.
Discover all the advantages of choosing us.
Oatbox: Growing by feeding more people
Montréal
Founded in Montréal in 2014, Oatbox has long wanted to shake up the breakfast industry. It has since redefined its business model to make oats and sustainable food its raison d'être. Today, Oatbox wants to become the world leader in this flagship ingredient. Learn about their plan to do it.
Supporting our companies at every stage of their growth
75
coaching sessions with 62 companies by our Asthuce Group in the past year[4]
411
334 coaching sessions with 188 companies since the Asthuce Group was created in 2020[4]
Every action counts when it comes to sustainable growth.
Companies need to ask the right questions and find the best solutions for them and their communities. Learn how integrating ESG factors can benefit everyone.
Sustainable growth also means implementing or restructuring a solid corporate governance structure to keep a company focused on its objectives and values.
Here are some basic principles of successful governance.
Stimulating transfer and succession with our expertise and financing
In Québec, business transfer and succession has never been more important to our economic prosperity. That’s why we’re working to keep local businesses local. We’re setting up programs, investing and reaching out both to entrepreneurs who want to pass on their business and to the men and women who want to take them over.
We’ve partnered with the École d’Entrepreneurship de Beauce to support business owners and train their successors
To address the challenges of business transfer and succession, we launched an effective new program with the École d’Entrepreneurship de Beauce (EEB) and three other partners in Quebec’s business ecosystem. Because we believe that working together ensures long-term business growth and builds a better Québec for tomorrow.
Learn more about this program to identify, train and support buyers and sellers to promote successful business transfers.
We’re behind the Mouvement Propulsion Repreneurship
Beauce
"
We’ve been investing in companies for over 40 years to save jobs, keep our head offices and create a more equitable future for all Quebecers. Investing in business succession was perfectly aligned with our mission. That’s why we made it a priority."
— Philippe P. Huneault
Vice-President
Private Equity and Impact Investing, Technology and Fund Management and Chief International Business Development
Enter the Mouvement Propulsion Repreneurship’s multifaceted role.
The program helps to raise sellers’ awareness of the importance of preparing to transfer their business and the advantages of selling to Québec interests. It also helps to expand the pool of potential buyers and to coach the next generation of business owners. It’s a personalized program that promotes networking between the business owners of today and tomorrow.
Investing in business transfers to help our builders sell their flagship companies to local buyers
We offer financing to keep our local businesses local.
Financing for every region of Québec
Québec’s future depends on the prosperity of each of its 17 regions. The entire Fonds team— including those from our Fonds régionaux de solidarité (regional solidarity funds) and the Fonds locaux de solidarité (local solidarity funds)— offers unique financing solutions tailored to your business reality, all across the province. Wherever you are, we’re there with you.
Our regional teams understand the challenges in their area.
Each region has its own strengths and challenges. Our regional teams understand their socio-economic reality, key players and the sectors of activity that thrive there.
$232M
The Fonds régionaux de solidarité (FRS) have distributed over $232 million to 151 companies across Québec over 2024–2025.[6]
FRS results
Regional distribution of FRS investments
| Region | Number | Committed |
|---|---|---|
| Abitibi-Témiscamingue | 8 | $14.6M |
| Bas-St-Laurent | 16 | $15.1M |
| Centre-du-Québec | 6 | $12.7M |
| Chaudière-Appalaches | 8 | $14.6M |
| Côte-Nord | 4 | $2.8M |
| Estrie | 7 | $13.1M |
| Gaspésie-Iles-de-la-Madeleine | 6 | $5.0M |
| Lanaudière | 6 | $12.2M |
| Laurentians | 12 | $21.6M |
| Laval | 9 | $10.6M |
| Mauricie | 3 | $4.1M |
| Montérégie | 18 | $40.4M |
| Montréal | 10 | $19.7M |
| Nord-du-Québec | 3 | $1.7M |
| Outaouais | 7 | $7.2M |
| Québec City | 12 | $24.1M |
| Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean | 13 | $16.0M |
| Total | 151 | $232.6M |
A lever of growth for local businesses
To help local businesses grow, the Fonds locaux de solidarité (FLS) network, in partnership with the Fédération québécoise des municipalités, supports the start-up, expansion, consolidation and succession of SMEs rooted in their communities by offering them financing of up to $100,000.
*To date, we have a network of 98 FLSs throughout Québec.
FSL results
Learn more about FLS
We invested in our regions to ensure their vitality
Find out how local investment is strengthening our regions.
Teams of specialists across Québec.
