What is the Vitrine IA Québec funding search engine, powered by Fundica?

Offered by the IA Quebec Forum as part of Vitrine AI Quebec, the funding search engine developed by Fundica is the best way to find government financial assistance in Canada. With its proprietary search engine and AI-powered filtering, Quebec-based Fundica helps entrepreneurs find the best grants, tax credits and loan guarantees, while increasing visibility to funders.

What types of programs are included in Vitrine AI Quebec Powered by Fundica’s funding search engine?

Grants. Grants are non-repayable contributions that support specific financial objectives of entrepreneurs, including job creation and technology development. Grants are generally provided before or during the investment period.
Tax credits. Tax credits are government returns and tax reductions (credits) to encourage certain investments. Tax credits are generally provided after the investment period.
Loans. Loans include government and private contributions that are repayable. Government loans may have more flexible eligibility criteria and guarantees as well as lower interest rates. Loans are made in advance of the investment period.
Loan guarantees. A loan guarantee allows the government to support business projects by guaranteeing a loan by insuring it or a portion of it in the event of default by the entrepreneur. Loan guarantees are provided before the entrepreneur is accepted for a loan.
Equity. Equity is a private sector investment to obtain a share of a business or receive the long-term profits of a company. This includes the direct purchase of stock but can also include a more complex variety of investments (including royalties, profit sharing, options and other instruments) that are not loans. The purchase of shares can occur at any time during the investment period.
Accelerators and Incubators. Accelerators and incubators are business support organizations that offer structured programs that include one or more of the following: coaching or mentoring, training, networking, and business support. These programs typically last between one month and one year and may include a demo day or pitch competition at the end of the program. These programs are typically for startups. Incubators are designed for emerging startups in the ideation phase, while gas pedals are more appropriate for early-stage companies with a minimum viable product and initial revenue, or for developing companies that want to take the next step with structured support.

What type of business can apply for this service?

Any for-profit business that is incorporated or plans to register in Canada can create an account to use the funding search engine. Start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as large firms in all industries can benefit from iaquebec.fundica.com’s services, providing access to tax credits, loan guarantees and grants.

How does the funding search engine help us identify available funds?

With our unique search system, we filter and identify grants, tax credits, and loan guarantees for companies based on their location and twenty other criteria. We only display programs with available assistance that match the selected criteria.

How does Fundica keep its system up to date?

Our system is kept current by allowing funders to add and edit their programs, by using a semi-automated government program search system and by our exceptional and dedicated research team.

How does the tool work to filter financial aid programs?

The tool uses primary and secondary filters:

• Your company profile includes primary search filters to display an initial list of programs for which your company would be eligible. Primary filters are generated when you create an account.
• Secondary filters refer to the filtering options located on the top right side of your search results. These filters are tailored to any business activity or project you are conducting for which government assistance may be available.

Why do you have both year of creation and year of incorporation?

• Year of creation: Many funding opportunities and support programs exist for early-stage businesses and startups, such as microgrants, incubators and accelerators. However, most government funding and some commercial financing requires businesses to be incorporated in order to be eligible.
• Year of incorporation: Once a business becomes incorporated, they become eligible for more government grants, loans, loan guarantees, and tax credits, as well as any many other sources of financing. Certain programs also use the age of the business as condition for eligibility. In that case, the date of incorporation is almost always used instead of the date of creation.

How do I create an account?

Entrepreneurs can easily create a free account and start using it. No confirmation is required.

How can I make a product suggestion?

Please submit your suggestion to contact@fundica.com. The Fundica product team regularly reviews all ideas so keep them coming! Thanks.