Updated June 2026 · Verified against PME MTL (City of Montreal economic development network) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement
Grant Municipal Active

PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commercial (Retail Fund)

PME MTL (City of Montreal economic development network)
Maximum Funding
Up to $25,000
Ongoing — rolling intake
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
80%
PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commercial (Retail Fund) provides Up to $25,000 per 12-month period (maximum 80% of project costs). A Montreal-specific non-repayable subsidy from PME MTL designed to support retail businesses operating on Montreal commercial streets. The program covers up to 80% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Approval odds: ~40% (GrantCompass analysis)
Eligibility check

Can you win this grant?

Get your instant eligibility verdict plus a head start on the application. Free, no account needed.

Takes about 20 seconds. We use this program’s real eligibility rules.

Want your full match picture across 650+ programs? Take the 2-minute quiz →

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

A Montreal-specific non-repayable subsidy from PME MTL designed to support retail businesses operating on Montreal commercial streets. The Fonds Entrepreneuriat commercial (formerly referenced as Fonds Commerce) provides up to $25,000 per 12-month period to help retailers launch new ventures, adapt their business model, or strengthen commercial resilience and attractiveness. The fund is delivered through PME MTL's six territorial service poles across Montreal and is distinct from PME MTL's general SME loan programs (Jeunes Entreprises id 120 and FDÉS id 121). It specifically targets businesses with a physical retail presence on commercial streets, filling a gap for Montreal's commercial vitality that is not covered by provincial programs.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Business must operate a street-facing retail space in Montreal
  • Applicant must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ)
  • Business must be legally registered in Quebec's business registry (REQ) as a legal entity or sole proprietorship
  • Business headquarters must be in Quebec
  • Applicant must contribute a minimum 20% of project costs (the fund covers a maximum of 80%)
  • Must provide a business plan OR a project summary, plus 2-year financial projections
  • Project must demonstrate added value to existing commercial offerings on the street
  • Not available to online-only retailers without a physical street presence
Provinces
Quebec
Industries
Retail E Commerce Food Beverage Services Commercial
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $25,000 per 12-month period (maximum 80% of project costs)
Type
Grant
Level
Municipal
Co-Funding
Up to 80% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing — rolling intake

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Approval Rate
~40%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Premium See your real odds on this program — and exactly what it takes to win it.
What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commercial (...

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

$19 covers this one program. $39/mo covers every program, plus the workspace that walks you through each application.
Get Premium — $39/mo or just this Playbook — $19 one-time

How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

Premium
Insider Tip

PME MTL has six territorial poles (Centre-Ville, Centre-Est, Est, Nord, Ouest, Ouest-de-l'Île) each with their own investment committee and budget.

Premium See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.

Success Profile

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

Premium See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus.
Don’t lose this one to a preventable rejection
Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
Paid grant writers quote $2,000–$5,000 per program. Premium covers all 650+ for $39/mo.
Get Premium — $39/mo Every program · Application workspace · 30-day money-back
or just this Playbook — $19 one-time

Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

Premium 5 steps 8 docs

Application Steps

1 Find your PME MTL territorial pole Visit pmemtl.com and use the postal code finder to identify which of the six PME MTL poles serves your business location. Contact that pole — not the central PME MTL office.

Required Documents 8

✓ Completed PME MTL application form (obtained from local service centre)
✓ Business plan with market analysis and competitive positioning

Eligible Expenses 7

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

Premium Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare.

Applying for PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commercial? Most founders end up needing more than one template — grab the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27 vs separate) →

Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

Premium 3 partners

Compatible Programs

SODEC — Cultural Enterprise Program (Quebec cultural retail) PME MTL FDÉS (Fonds de développement économique et social, id 121) MEIE PADAQ (Quebec digital transformation grants)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Premium See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.

How PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commercial (... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commerc... Up to $25,000 Easy Reimbursement Ongoing — rolling intake
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Applications accepted...
Commercial Façade Improvement Grant P... Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) Easy Reimbursement Annual Intake
Storefront Improvement Grant Up to $25,000 Moderate Reimbursement Three intake windows:...
Storefront Refresh Grant Up to $1,000 (50% of costs) Easy Reimbursement Ongoing

Related Programs

Other programs you might be eligible for

Free
Grant

Toronto Dining District Program (BIA Stream)

Up to $5,000 (Stream 1, closed); up to $100,000 (Stream 2... · Municipal
 Grant

Toronto Economic Resiliency Initiative (TERI)

Up to $24,000 per business (Commercial Space Renovation... · Municipal
 Grant

Toronto Transit Construction Mitigation Fund

Up to $50,000 (three tiers: $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 based... · Municipal

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about PME MTL Fonds Entrepreneuriat Commercial (...

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
Yes, sole proprietors are eligible if they're registered in Quebec's business registry (REQ), have a Montreal street-facing retail space, and can contribute 20% of project costs. The business must be legally registered as a sole proprietorship in Quebec.
What's the realistic grant amount?
Most projects receive $10,000–$25,000. The $25,000 max requires a $31,250 total project cost (with 20% applicant contribution). Smaller projects typically get $10,000–$18,000.
Do I need a physical retail space on a street?
Yes — the business must operate a street-facing retail space in Montreal. Online-only businesses without a physical presence are ineligible. The space must be on a commercial street, not a residential or industrial zone.
How long does application take?
You'll need a business plan with market analysis, 2-year financial projections, an itemized budget with supplier quotes, and documentation of your street-facing retail location. PME MTL's territorial poles handle applications — contact your local pole based on postal code and book an advisor consultation first; they will tell you what their investment committee looks for.
Can I stack with other grants?
Yes, with SODEC (cultural retail) and MEIE PADAQ (digital transformation). Avoid stacking with PME MTL's FDÉS — it's a separate program. Apply to each program for different project components.

Browse More Funding

Quebec Grants E Commerce Grants Explore All Programs Take the Quiz