Accelerate the launch
of your business
Accelerate the launch
of your business
The Early-Stage Access Fund, launched on La Ruche with the support of Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), helps propel the start-up phase of innovative Quebec businesses that wish to structure and grow their activities.
Get up to $50,000
Get up to $50,000
The Start-Up Access Fund aims to facilitate access to funding during the earliest stages of a business's development through a matching fund that enhances crowdfunding campaigns.
You may be eligible for a non-repayable contribution from the Fund matching your campaign goal, up to a maximum of $50,000. For example, if you raise $12,000 from the community through La Ruche, you will receive an additional $12,000 to help bring your project to life.
How does it work?
How does it work?
Plan your crowdfunding campaign
First, create your campaign page on La Ruche for free. Then, our team will support you through every step of the process to help maximize your chances of success.
Reach your funding goal
Launch your campaign, rally your community around your idea, and receive financial contributions in exchange for rewards, such as an exclusive product or service, a significant discount, or a unique experience.
Receive additional funding
Receive a non-repayable contribution from the Early-Stage Access Fund equal to your campaign goal, in addition to the many contributions made by individuals and businesses.
Bring your start-up project to life
Bring your start-up
project to life
- Market validation and user testing
- Product or service development and improvement
- Market launch and first sales
- Launch or consolidation of operations
- Business structuring
- Digital, technological, or environmental innovation
- Creation of local and regional economic benefits
- And much more!
Program Terms and Conditions
Program Terms
and Conditions
To be eligible, a project must:
- Be related to the start-up phase of a business seeking to structure and grow its activities.
- Demonstrate an innovative nature by introducing improved products or processes, or by addressing a problem more effectively than existing solutions, often with a digital, environmental, or technological component.
- Address at least one of the following objectives:
- Cover initial critical expenses, market validation, initial commercialization, or the development and improvement of products or services;
- Launch or consolidate early business operations;
- Accelerate business structuring and organizational development;
- Generate local or regional economic benefits through the implementation of innovative projects, particularly through job creation, the strengthening of local offerings, and the enhancement of community services.
All program details are available in the Fund Policy.
- Available only if the crowdfunding campaign on La Ruche is successful.
- Campaigns must have a minimum fundraising goal of $10,000 (representing a total financing need of $20,000 when including the Start-Up Access Fund's matching contribution of up to $10,000).
- Applicable to a new and clearly defined project, meaning a project with a specific start and end date, as well as an established financial objective. Full details are outlined in the Fund Policy.
- The project must not have received other national public matching funding or support from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) for the same project.
- Registered with the Quebec Enterprise Registrar (REQ) for five years or less;
- Have at least one year of sales history;
- Operate under a business model primarily serving individual consumers (B2C), meaning the company sells directly to end customers.
Before launching your crowdfunding campaign, complete the following steps:
Watch the information session (11 minutes) on crowdfunding and the La Ruche model;
Review the Fund Policy, which outlines all eligibility criteria;
Review the Fund Policy, which outlines all eligibility criteria;
Meet with a La Ruche team member to discuss your project and receive personalized guidance;
Complete your campaign page on La Ruche;
Plan the submission of your application and provide all required documents.
Plan the submission of your application and provide all required documents.
If your application is approved, you can focus entirely on finalizing your campaign and benefit from the support of a crowdfunding advisor throughout the process. 😊
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
