Loan
Provincial
Active
Quebec Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI) — MRC Business Loans
Quebec MRCs (municipal regional counties) / Ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie (MEIE)
Loan Range
Up to $150,000
Ongoing — MRCs process applications continuously
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Loan
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Financing share
50%
Quebec Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI) — MRC Business Loans provides Up to $150,000 per 12-month period (some MRCs up to $250,000); loans cover up to 50% of eligible costs for FOR-PROFIT businesses and up to 80% for non-profit and social-economy enterprises. The Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI) is Quebec's province-wide local business loan program administered by 104 MRCs, providing flexible loans of up to $150,000 per 12-month period for startup, expansion, and succession projects. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
The Fonds locaux d'investissement (FLI) is Quebec's province-wide local business loan program administered by 104 MRCs, providing flexible loans of up to $150,000 per 12-month period for startup, expansion, and succession projects. Up to 50% of eligible expenses are covered (80% for social economy enterprises), with a minimum 15% equity contribution required from the entrepreneur. Loans may include a moratorium period or extended repayment schedule, making this the primary capital access tool for Quebec SMBs outside conventional banking.
Eligibility Requirements
- For-profit enterprises legally constituted under Quebec or Canadian law (corporations, partnerships, sole proprietors)
- Cooperative and non-profit organizations with commercial activities are also eligible
- Business must be located on the territory of the MRC administering the fund
- Must not appear on the RENA registry of defaulted debtors
- Must not be in bankruptcy or under the protection of creditors
- Minimum 15% equity contribution required (15% net equity post-project for existing businesses; 15% of startup costs for new businesses)
- Eligible project categories: business startup (under 2 years in commercialization), improvement and transformation (1+ years operating), growth and expansion (2+ years operating), or entrepreneurial succession (acquisition of ≥25% of business value)
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $150,000 per 12-month period (some MRCs up to $250,000); loans cover up to 50% of eligible costs for FOR-PROFIT businesses and up to 80% for non-profit and social-economy enterprises
- Type
- Loan
- Level
- Provincial
- Financing share
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Ongoing — MRCs process applications continuously
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Good
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to secure FLI
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what lenders look for
$19 covers this one program. $39/mo covers every program, plus the workspace that walks you through each application.
How to qualify
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipContact your regional MRC early — each one has its own investment policy and available capital envelope, so eligibility criteria and maximum amounts vary.
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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Don’t lose this one to a preventable rejection
Common rejection pitfalls, what approved applicants look like, and exactly what lenders look for
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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5 steps
7 docs
Application Steps
1
Identify your MRC Find your regional MRC or local investment fund administrator using the Quebec government business directory or the DEPS network (depsregion.com). Each of Quebec's 104 MRCs administers its own FLI envelope with its own investment policy.
Required Documents 7
✓ Completed FLI application form (obtained from your MRC)
✓ Business plan with financial projections (2-3 years)
Eligible Expenses 8
Ineligible Expenses 6
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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3 partners
Compatible Programs
Investissement Québec — ESSOR Program
Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP)
Community Futures Quebec network (SADC/CAE)
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Medium Risk
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How FLI Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec Fonds locaux d'investissement ... | Up to $150,000 | Easy | Loan | Ongoing — MRCs process... |
| Investissement Québec - ESSOR Program | up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — the program... |
| Canada Small Business Financing Program | Up to $1.15 million | Easy | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Quebec R&D Tax Credit (CRIC — Researc... | 20-30% tax credit (CRIC) | Hard | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
| Investissement Québec — Project Finan... | Varies | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about FLI
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Can a sole proprietor apply for an FLI loan?
Yes — for-profit enterprises including sole proprietors legally constituted in Quebec or Canada are eligible, as are cooperatives and non-profits with commercial activities.
Is the 15% equity requirement cash or can it include assets?
The 15% equity contribution can include cash, equipment already owned, or other assets. For existing businesses, it is measured as minimum 15% net equity remaining after the project is complete.
How does the FLI differ from a regular bank loan?
FLI loans offer more flexible terms than commercial banks — longer amortization, possible moratorium periods, and willingness to finance projects banks may decline. However, they are still repayable loans with interest, not grants.
Can the FLI be combined with other Quebec government programs?
Yes, but combined government assistance cannot exceed 70% of total project cost (85% for social economy enterprises). FLI is commonly stacked with ESSOR, SADC/CAE loans, and the Canada Small Business Financing Program.
What happens if my project takes longer than expected?
Contact your MRC early. MRCs can negotiate extended repayment schedules or moratorium periods for projects facing delays, particularly startups in the commercialization phase. Proactive communication is essential.
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Full Playbook: FLI
5 steps · 7 docs · reviewer insights